Erik Torenberg

Erik Torenberg is a technology entrepreneur, investor, and community builder with extensive experience at the intersection of venture capital, media, and networks. Torenberg began his career in the technology sector as the first employee at Product Hunt, where he contributed to scaling the platform's early user community before moving into venture capital. His exposure to numerous company launches on Product Hunt led him to co-found On Deck, a global community and ecosystem for founders, talent, and investors, offering programs and networks that support career and company development.

Torenberg co-founded Village Global, an early-stage venture capital firm that launched with a $100 million fund backed by limited partners such as Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg. Village Global operates as a network-driven venture firm, distributing decision-making and deal sourcing to operator-angels and network leaders. The firm emphasizes peer-to-peer founder support through curated retreats, masterclasses, and structured programming. Village Global has invested in companies including Scale AI, Rappi, Applied Intuition, Figma, Flexport, and Lattice.

Torenberg also co-founded Turpentine, a San Francisco-based media network focused on technology, business, culture, and societal trends. He hosts the podcast "Upstream with Erik Torenberg." Turpentine is recognized for its tech podcast network, offering vertical expertise across various sectors and roles.

Andreessen Horowitz acquired Turpentine and named Torenberg as a general partner. In this role, he invests in startups and leads the firm's marketing and ecosystem organizations, supporting portfolio companies and strengthening engagement across the startup ecosystem. He also leads the a16z New Media Fellowship, an eight-week program and community for operators, creators, and storytellers in media, providing fellows with access to the a16z ecosystem, the New Media Summit, and exclusive workshops and events.

Torenberg has played a significant role in building networks and communities within the technology sector, including Product Hunt, On Deck, Village Global, and Turpentine. As an early-stage investor, he has backed companies such as Scale AI, Applied Intuition, Pave, Lattice, and Rappi. His career demonstrates the impact of integrating community, media, and capital in the technology and entrepreneurship landscape.