AfroTech Conference 2026

Chris Lyons

President a16z Halo, Andreessen Horowitz

Track Wealth

Biography

Christopher Lyons is a visionary leader, entrepreneur, and President of a16z Halo at Andreessen Horowitz. Lyons joined a16z in 2013 and in 2021, he helped launch a16z’s first $400M Seed Fund. Prior, he founded the firm’s Cultural Leadership Fund. Launched in 2018, CLF became a beacon of change, connecting the world’s greatest cultural leaders with cutting-edge technology companies. It became a platform to uplift Black builders and creators, fostering their journey toward excellence in tech. Under Lyons, the CLF Fund became Silicon Valley’s inaugural venture capital fund comprised entirely of Black Limited Partners.

Sessions

  1. Culture, Capital, and Control with Steve Stoute

    Thu, Nov 5, 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM CT

    Track Wealth

    Culture has always created value. The next move is owning it. To close out the AfroTech Main Stage, serial entrepreneur Steve Stoute, founder and CEO of UnitedMasters and founder of Translation, will sit down with Chris Lyons of a16z to talk ownership at scale: why participating isn't enough, how to build and keep control of what you create, and what it takes to go from talent in the room to owner of the room.

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