Why Marc Andreessen thinks tech’s diversity problem is overstated

A series of large tech companies recently revealed disappointing gender and diversity statistics, sparking discussion over whether there’s something fundamentally wrong with hiring practices in Silicon Valley. In an extended interview with New York Magazine’s Kevin Roose, entrepreneur and investor Marc Andreessen tackles that criticism head on. While he thinks the discussion is valid, he has issues with particular points.

“I think the critique that Silicon Valley companies are deliberately, systematically discriminatory is incorrect, and there are two reasons to believe that that’s the case,” Andreessen says. “No. 1, these companies are like the United Nations internally.” The second reason that he cites is that demand for talent is so high, and that any logical company will go anywhere to get it.