Origins - Inside Venture Capital, Hosted by a GP and an LP Navigating difficult markets w/ Adam Valkin, General Catalyst
Aug 23, 2023
Adam Valkin, Managing Director at General Catalyst, shares insights on navigating difficult markets in 2023, investing, firm building, and partnering with founders. He highlights the importance of building alignment and expertise in a small venture firm, the significance of meaningful connections with founders, and the ultimate success being dependent on the founders and their management team.
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Adam Valkin's Career Journey
- Adam Valkin's career began unexpectedly when a family friend, Saul Klein, invited him to explore the tech industry.
- This led him to venture capital in London, then to operating roles, and ultimately to General Catalyst.
GC's Growth Strategy
- General Catalyst's (GC) growth has been driven by a strong people-focused culture and intentional geographic expansion.
- Key moves included establishing a West Coast presence, investing in Stripe, Airbnb, and Snap, and expanding into New York, Europe, and Israel.
GC's Diversification
- GC has diversified its investment strategies beyond traditional venture capital, including a creation fund for incubating companies.
- They've also created thematic funds focused on healthcare, global resilience, and AI.