Venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz has hired Daniel Penny, a former Marine who was acquitted on a charge of criminally negligent homicide after fatally choking another passenger on a New York City subway.
Penny will join the “American Dynamism” team, which invests in industries that support American interests, including aerospace, defense, and public safety. The firm’s CEO David Ulevitch stated that Penny was hired despite the controversy surrounding his case, citing his courage in a difficult situation.
The hiring decision has sparked debate, with some conservatives cheering for Penny’s acquittal and others expressing concern about the firm’s stance on social issues. Andreessen Horowitz has faced criticism from some politicians and groups over its ties to President Donald Trump.
Despite the controversy, Ulevitch emphasized that the firm evaluates individuals as a whole, rather than making judgments based on one incident. Penny will reportedly undergo training in the business of investing under the guidance of his new colleagues.
Source: https://fortune.com/2025/02/05/daniel-penny-andreessen-horowitz-a16z-investing-david-ulevitch