
General Catalyst is a venture capital firm that has been around since 2000, founded by Joel Cutler and David Fialkow. They're based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and have invested in a wide range of companies across various industries.
One of their notable portfolio companies is Airbnb, which they invested in back in 2010. This investment was a significant one, as Airbnb has since grown to become a household name.
General Catalyst has also invested in other successful companies like Kayak, Stripe, and Warby Parker. They've demonstrated a keen eye for spotting innovative ideas and helping them scale.
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About General Catalyst
General Catalyst is a venture capital firm that has been around for a while, with a leadership team that includes some impressive names. P. F. is listed as the Chief Operating Officer.
The firm has a strong portfolio of companies, including Fractyl, which went public in February 2024 after being first invested in back in 2014. Fractyl's first round of investment was a Series C round worth $40 million.
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General Catalyst's portfolio also includes ArriVent, which went public in January 2024 after being first invested in just a year prior. ArriVent's Series B round was a whopping $155 million.
The firm has also invested in Bitwise, which went public in January 2024 after being first invested in 2017. Bitwise's seed round was a relatively small $4 million.
If you're interested in learning more about General Catalyst's portfolio, here are some of the companies they've invested in:
General Catalyst's leadership team also includes J. Z. as the Chief Marketing Officer, J. R. as the Chief Technology Officer, M. A. as the Chief Financial Officer, and C. W. as the Chief of Staff.
Investments and Portfolio
General Catalyst has a diverse portfolio of companies across various stages of investment. They have invested in companies such as Heyday, which they first invested in during its Series A round in 2020, raising $175 million.
The firm has a strong track record of successful acquisitions, with companies like Lacework being acquired in 2024. Lacework was first invested in during its Series D round in 2021, raising $1.3 billion.
Here are some key statistics on General Catalyst's investments:
General Catalyst has also invested in companies that have gone public, such as Instacart, which they first invested in during its Series F round in 2020, raising $225 million.
Portfolio Exits
General Catalyst has made several notable acquisitions, with their latest being HarmonyCares on July 8, 2024.
HarmonyCares was acquired at an undisclosed valuation, but it's worth noting that General Catalyst has made significant investments in the past, such as the $175 million Series A round for Heyday in 2020.
Here are some of the notable acquisitions made by General Catalyst:
These acquisitions demonstrate General Catalyst's commitment to investing in and supporting innovative companies across various industries.
Tech Stack
General Catalyst's tech stack is quite impressive, with 8 different technology products and services at their disposal. One of the tools they use is Full Slate, a popular appointment scheduling software.
Their data security is handled by Securiti, a robust platform that helps protect sensitive information. Figma is also part of their tech stack, used for design purposes.
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General Catalyst's influencer marketing efforts are supported by Paladin, a specialized software designed for this task. They also rely on Dell for their IT infrastructure needs.
In terms of live communication, Drift is used for live chat, while Twitch is utilized for live streaming. WP Engine provides their platform as a service, rounding out their tech stack.
Here is a list of the technology products and services used by General Catalyst:
- Full Slate (Appointment Scheduling)
- Securiti (Data Security)
- Figma (Design)
- Paladin (Influencer Marketing Software)
- Dell (IT Infrastructure)
- Drift (Live Chat)
- Twitch (Live Streaming Platforms)
- WP Engine (Platform As A Service)
Investment and Financials
General Catalyst has invested in over 400 companies, including Airbnb, Stripe, and Snapchat. Their portfolio is a testament to their successful investment strategy.
They have a strong focus on early-stage investing, with a significant portion of their investments going to seed-stage startups. This approach allows them to get in on the ground floor of promising companies.
General Catalyst has a team of experienced investors who are dedicated to helping their portfolio companies grow and succeed.
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Fund History
General Catalyst has a total of 37 funds, including the General Catalyst Early-Stage Venture Fund.
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Their funds have varying closing dates, with the most recent being October 24, 2024, and the earliest being April 9, 2020.
The General Catalyst Early-Stage Venture Fund closed on October 24, 2024, with a whopping $8,000M in amount.
Another notable fund is the General Catalyst Health Assurance Fund II, which closed on July 20, 2022, with $670M.
The GC Health Assurance Holdings fund closed on December 17, 2020, with $103.5M.
The fund amounts for General Catalyst Group X - Growth Venture and GC Venture X are listed as $XXM, indicating that the exact amount is not publicly disclosed.
Here's a summary of the fund history:
Funding & Financials
General Catalyst has a significant revenue range of $10M to $50M. This is a substantial amount that indicates the company's financial stability and growth.
The firm has a range of funds, including the General Catalyst Early-Stage Venture Fund, which closed in 2024 with an amount of $8,000M. This fund is one of many in the firm's portfolio.
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General Catalyst has invested in various companies, including Instacart, which had a successful IPO in 2023 with a round size of $225M. This is a notable example of the firm's investment strategy.
Here is a list of some of the funds managed by General Catalyst:
The firm has also invested in companies like Fractyl, which had an IPO in 2024 with a round size of $40M. This is just one example of the firm's successful investments.
General Catalyst's investment strategy and financial performance are key indicators of the firm's success.
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Company Investment Stage
General Catalyst is a venture capital firm that invests in various stages of company growth. They have a significant presence in the seed stage, with 221 investments in this category.
Their investment portfolio also includes a substantial number of Series A investments, with 233 companies receiving funding at this stage. This suggests that General Catalyst often invests in companies that are looking to expand their product or service offerings.
Seed and Series A investments are the most common, making up over 75% of their total investments. This indicates that General Catalyst tends to focus on early-stage companies with high growth potential.
Here's a breakdown of General Catalyst's investment stages:
Leadership and Partners
General Catalyst has 10 strategic partners and customers, with a recent partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) on January 1, 2025. This partnership aims to speed up the development of health-care AI tools.
The company has also partnered with Rapyd and MultiChoice Group, with the latter being a South African company. This partnership is transforming Africa's digital payments ecosystem, with Moment poised to lead this transformation.
General Catalyst has 2 service provider relationships, including with Taylor Wessing and Latham & Watkins.
Company Leadership
Company Leadership plays a crucial role in shaping the direction and success of an organization. General Catalyst's leadership team is comprised of experienced professionals with diverse backgrounds and expertise.
The company's Chief Operating Officer, P. F., oversees the day-to-day operations and ensures the organization runs smoothly. J. Z. serves as the Chief Marketing Officer, responsible for developing and executing marketing strategies to reach new audiences.
J. R. is the Chief Technology Officer, leading the development of innovative technologies to drive business growth. M. A. serves as the Chief Financial Officer, managing the company's finances and making strategic investment decisions.
C. W. holds the position of Chief of Staff, providing support to the leadership team and ensuring the organization's goals are met efficiently.
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Partners & Customers
General Catalyst has a strong network of partners and customers, with 10 strategic partnerships and customers. This includes a partnership with Amazon Web Services, which was announced on January 1, 2025.
General Catalyst recently partnered with Amazon Web Services on January 13, 2025, to speed up the development of health-care AI tools.
The partnership between General Catalyst and AWS is still in its early days, but they believe it will help meet the market's growing demand for new solutions.
General Catalyst also has partnerships with Rapyd and MultiChoice Group, which was announced on January 9, 2025, to transform Africa's digital payments ecosystem.
Here are some of General Catalyst's key partners and customers:
In addition to these partnerships, General Catalyst has 2 service provider relationships.
Latest News
General Catalyst is a venture capital firm that has been making waves in the tech industry. They have invested in over 400 companies, including Airbnb, Stripe, and Snapchat.
Their portfolio companies have a combined valuation of over $100 billion, which is a testament to their successful investment strategy.
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Data and Formats
General Catalyst is a venture capital firm that invests in startups across various industries. They have a diverse portfolio of over 400 companies.
Their investment approach is focused on partnering with founders who are building innovative and scalable businesses. This includes companies in the technology, healthcare, and consumer sectors.
General Catalyst has a strong presence in the US, with offices in Boston, New York City, and San Francisco. They also have a global reach, with investments in companies from around the world.
Their investment team is led by Managing Directors, who have a deep understanding of the industries they invest in. This expertise allows them to provide valuable guidance and support to their portfolio companies.
General Catalyst has a reputation for being a collaborative and supportive partner to the founders they work with. They offer a range of resources and services to help their portfolio companies grow and succeed.
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Which Sectors Does It Invest In?
General Catalyst invests in a wide range of sectors, including enterprise software, fintech, and cybersecurity.
They have a strong focus on enterprise software, with investments in companies like Stripe, which provides online payment processing services.
General Catalyst has also made significant investments in fintech, supporting companies like Robinhood, a popular brokerage app.
Cybersecurity is another key area of focus for General Catalyst, with investments in companies like Cybereason, a provider of endpoint security solutions.
Their investments in these sectors have helped drive innovation and growth in the tech industry.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is General Catalyst a top VC?
Yes, General Catalyst is a top venture capital firm, recognized as the most active VC investor in the digital health sector since 2020. They back ambitious founders transforming industries worldwide.
How much does General Catalyst pay?
General Catalyst Partners' salaries range from approximately $53,562 to $455,904 per year, depending on the role. Explore our salary estimates to learn more about compensation at General Catalyst Partners.
How big is General Catalyst?
General Catalyst manages $30 billion in assets and has a strong track record of backing successful U.S. tech companies.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Catalyst
- https://www.cnbc.com/2024/11/11/silicon-valleys-general-catalyst-makes-first-investment-into-saudi-arabia.html
- https://www.cbinsights.com/investor/general-catalyst-partners
- https://leadiq.com/c/general-catalyst/5a1d85fa24000024006061bc
- https://tracxn.com/d/venture-capital/general-catalyst/__qMkRej1ZCJqKpMq_MzP3EjVzdPeR9HjIcLxgT1oaH8s
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