Wednesday, September 14, 2022, a16z (Andreessen Horowitz), a large, well-known VC firm, funded Flow, a new startup led by a seemingly scandalous entrepreneur, Adam Neumann, the founder infamously known to have been ousted as WeWork CEO.

Why did a16z invest in Flow and, by proxy, Adam Neumann?

In his blog post about “Investing in Flow,” Andreessen acknowledges the U.S. housing crisis in the first sentence, and here’s what he has to say about Neumann: “Adam is a visionary leader who revolutionized the second largest asset class in the world—commercial real estate—by bringing community and brand to an industry in which neither existed before.” Andreessen continues, “[I]t’s often underappreciated that only one person has fundamentally redesigned the office experience and led a paradigm-changing global company in the process.”

So that gives us a clue as to what Andreessen thinks. But what does the public web have to say, and what is its overall sentiment?

In this edition of Alternative Data Trends, we dig into public web data before, during, and after a16z announced that it would fund Flow. Does the public web agree with Andreesen’s view? If not, how does it differ? And how can this information inform an investor and other VC firms?

Let’s find out.

a16z web mention volume and polarity (Nov. 2015 to Jun. 2022)

Mention volumes spike in mid-June 2021

TextReveal^® uncovered 181,620 articles and messages from SESAMm’s data lake about Andreessen Horowitz (Figure 1). Mention volume remains consistent until late 2020, at which time a16z invests in a bunch of new companies and startups, such as:

• Beacons
• Clubhouse
• Dapper Labs
• Eco
• Helium
• Labster
• Maven
• Nansen
• OpenSea
• Skydio
• SpotOn
• Tackle.io
• Valon
• Zus Health

a16z also focused on the NFT market and, as a result, launched the world’s biggest crypto-fund valued at $2.2 Billion in June 2021. Moreover, Andreessen Horowitz launched its own media property, Future.com, in mid-2021.

Andreessen Horowitz web mentions further spike after it doubles down, announcing $4.5B crypto fund IV in May 2022. Additional news increased mention volume because of its investment in Neumann’s new startups, Flowcarbon and Flow.

Polarity (positive and negative sentiment) dips

Sentiment toward a16z remained relatively stable over time with only minor dips until mid-2021, when it began falling, a trend driven by mentions of Flow investments news, the Uniswap related lawsuit, and suspected CoinSwitch Forex law violations (Figure 2).

Why was Flow affecting a16z’s polarity so much?

Despite Andreessen’s reasons for giving Flow and Neumann a chance, the public’s opinion seems to disagree, leaning toward a negative sentiment (Figure 3). Overall, the public doesn’t seem to trust that Neumann is worth a second chance and that his choices are beyond forgiving. Moreover, the public criticizes a16z’s choice to overlook women and people of color. This The Guardian article highlights tweets of these differences in opinion:

In summary, TextReveal’s web data analysis tells us that it’s essential to keep an eye on the latent ESG risks this investment could bring to a16z’s portfolio, particularly on the social side.

Andreessen Horowitz, from an ESG perspective

a16z ESG initiatives

From a mention volume perspective, a16z’s ESG initiative numbers remain stable (Figure 4). Andreessen Horowitz has a good share of ESG initiatives shares with the highest percentage for governance driven by partnerships and collaborations, followed by the environmental aspect that has been increasing over the last two years.

ESG risks, from a portfolio perspective

Figures 5 and 6 cover 160 companies in Andreessen Horowitz’s portfolio in the venture and growth stage. Overall, a16z’s portfolio represents a lower ESG risk (<15%) over time, except for the occasional moderately higher ESG risks score (<35%) indicated by two prominent spikes, one at the end of 2016 (Q4) and the second at the beginning of the year 2020 during the pandemic (Q1). The first spike is mainly a governance risk related to Soylent’s products being recalled and supply-chain-shortage risks. The spike is also caused by another top executive resigning from Magic Leap. In contrast, the second spike is a social risk driven by Instacart’s employees’ strike upon working conditions and safety concerns during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Note: Very low risk is <5%, low risk is <15%, moderate risk is <=35%, high risk is <=50%, and very high risk is >50%. Also, note that this scale is for demonstration only and does not indicate actual risk values.

Does the public’s view of a16z’s investment of Flow have merit?

Maybe, maybe not.

Looking at Andreessen Horowitz’s company and portfolio through the lens of web data, it is, if anything, consistent with its ESG initiatives and has experienced very few controversies. Should investors ignore the potential red flags that come with Flow and Adam Neumann? Of course not. But they should feel assured that a16z has exhibited a pattern of making sound investments. For example, if we compare the firm’s SDG initiatives to those in its portfolio (Figure 8), they are almost identical.

It’s possible that maybe Marc Andreessen and a16z et al. see something in Flow that the general public does not. After all, it’s why they’re a successful venture capital firm that consistently “backs bold entrepreneurs building the future through technology,” controversies and all.

Reach out to SESAMm

TextReveal’s web data analysis of over five million public and private companies is essential for keeping tabs on ESG investment risks. For example, ESG Alerts provides a better way to research and monitor your investment portfolio. To learn more about how you can analyze web data or to request a demo, reach out to one of our representatives.

In recent years, the concept of Environmental, Social, and corporate Governance (ESG) investing has gained tremendous traction. Not only does it offer opportunities to generate sustainable returns, but it also enables investors to make a positive impact on society and the environment. However, to truly understand the value of ESG, we need to shift our perspective and consider the 'new' stakeholders that are becoming increasingly crucial in this space. In this blog post, we’ll also delve into the challenges of the current ESG rating systems and discuss how AI is transforming the ESG landscape.

Broadening the ESG landscape: Emergence of new stakeholders

Historically, financial analysis has primarily focused on the impact of a company’s actions on its shareholders. Today, however, this view is expanding to include a more diverse array of stakeholders, thanks to ESG analysis - groups that are vital for a company's long-term prosperity. The environment, local communities, government authorities, regulators, NGOs, and journalists now take center stage as new stakeholders in the ESG dialogue.

The environment, for instance, is a stakeholder that companies can no longer afford to ignore. Overexploitation and neglect have led to climate change, thus, the depletion of vital resources and biodiversity, jeopardizing the long-term viability of many businesses. The recognition of the environment as a stakeholder underscores the necessity to balance economic growth with sustainable practices.

Similarly, local communities provide the workforce that companies rely on and need to respect their social environments and fundamental human rights. Governments, often viewed solely as tax collectors, are also stakeholders, providing key services like infrastructure, safety, and the rule of law. Finally, NGOs and journalists, tasked with safeguarding the general interest, ensure transparency and accountability, holding companies to their ESG commitments.

The problem with current ESG ratings

As companies grapple with these complex and interconnected issues, ESG ratings have emerged as a tool to gauge their sustainability efforts. However, these ratings aren't without their flaws.

Firstly, there is a notable divergence of opinion between rating providers, which can lead to confusion and inconsistency. Different providers may emphasize different aspects of ESG, leading to disparate ratings for the same company.

Secondly, most ESG ratings are based on self-reported data, creating an inherent risk of bias or selective reporting. It’s like allowing students to write and grade their own exams, which isn’t ideal for a system aiming to bring transparency and objectivity.

The power of AI in ESG risk assessment

To overcome these challenges, a new player is emerging in the field: Artificial Intelligence (AI). Through Natural Language Processing (NLP) algorithms, AI can analyze billions of documents from a wide range of sources to provide a more objective and comprehensive view of a company's ESG performance.

These AI-driven tools, like those developed by SESAMm, can scan a plethora of information, from press articles and social media posts to reports from NGOs, local press, and governmental bodies. They can detect ESG controversies, positive events, and sentiments linked to various ESG issues. This results in a more detailed and accurate picture of a company's ESG framework that surpasses what current ratings offer.

By bridging the gap between traditional ESG ratings and actual on-the-ground impact, AI provides a novel and powerful tool for investors and companies alike. It fosters a more holistic approach to sustainability, one that takes into account the increasingly complex web of direct and indirect stakeholders.

The future of ESG

In the grand scheme of things, the integration of AI into ESG analysis marks a significant leap forward. By acknowledging the role of new stakeholders and addressing the shortcomings of current ESG ratings, AI is reshaping our understanding of sustainable investing. The road ahead is exciting and promising, and there's no better time than now to harness the power of AI for a more sustainable and inclusive future.

Reach out to SESAMm

TextReveal's web data analysis of over five million public and private companies is essential for keeping tabs on ESG investment risks. To learn more about how you can analyze web data or request a demo, contact one of our representatives.

Paris, France – November 12, 2025 – SESAMm, a leader in AI-powered text analysis for financial services, proudly announces its inclusion in the ESGFinTech100 list by FinTech Global for the third consecutive year. This recognition highlights SESAMm's commitment to sustainability and ESG through the application of advanced AI technologies.

FinTech Global's annual ESGFinTech100 list, now in its fourth year, showcases the top 100 ESG companies that are revolutionizing the financial services industry. The list is carefully curated by a panel of industry experts who evaluate over 500 ESG tech companies worldwide. This year’s criteria focused on innovative technology solutions addressing a significant industry challenge, as well as their contributions to ESG imperatives and sustainability improvements for clients.

"We’re proud to be recognized again among the ESGFinTech100, alongside innovators redefining the role of technology in sustainable finance. At SESAMm, we believe the future of ESG lies in intelligence that’s both real-time and actionable. Our mission is to make external data speak — transforming how investors, corporations, and financial institutions understand risk and opportunity.” Said Sylvain Forté, SESAMm’s CEO. “Looking ahead, we’re building on this foundation with SESAMm’s own AI-powered agents, automating entire workflows from risk detection to report generation. These systems make ESG intelligence seamless, embedded, and action-ready."

The inclusion of SESAMm in this year's ESGFinTech100 underscores the rising significance of ESG factors in the financial sector. As institutions increasingly focus on sustainability, SESAMm leverages AI to enhance operational efficiencies while supporting ESG initiatives.

About SESAMm

SESAMm is a global leader in controversy data, leveraging advanced large language models and generative AI to uncover ESG, reputational, and supplier risks in seconds. Our AI-powered platform surfaces real-time insights, even in low-disclosure markets, on millions of companies and infrastructure projects, supporting more informed decisions, enhanced due diligence, and regulatory alignment at scale. We work with leading firms, including Carlyle, Warburg, Natixis, RBI, Sustainable Fitch, Oddo, and others. SESAMm has raised $50M from renowned investors and operates across four continents. Learn more at www.sesamm.com

SESAMm’s AI Technology Reveals ESG Insights

Discover unparalleled insights into ESG controversies, risks, and opportunities across industries. Learn more about how SESAMm can help you analyze millions of private and public companies using AI-powered text analysis tools.