General Catalyst is a U.S.-based venture capital (VC) firm that makes early stage and growth investments.[1][2][3][4] The firm has invested in global companies, including Airbnb, Kayak, Datalogix, Datto, Livongo, Gusto, Buildkite, Warby Parker, Oscar, Deliveroo, Lemonade, Stripe, and Snap.[5][3][6][7]
Company type | Private |
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Industry | Venture capital |
Founded | 2000; 24 years ago (2000) |
Founders |
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Headquarters | Cambridge, Massachusetts,
U.S.
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Number of locations |
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Products | Investments |
Number of employees | 200 |
Website | generalcatalyst |
General Catalyst was founded in 2000 in Massachusetts by Joel Cutler and David Fialkow.[6][8][9][10][11]
In 2010, the company opened a Silicon Valley office.[8] In 2021, the firm managed more than $8 billion in assets.[12] In February 2022, it raised $4.6 billion for its 11th general fund. This brought the firm's total raised in its 20-year history to $14.75 billion.[13]
In 2021, the firm opened a London office.[14][15] By September 2022, General Catalyst had invested in 17 European startups.[16] In April 2023, the company had invested in 25 Indian startups, including CRED, Uni, Spinny, Orange Health, FarMart, and Loop Health with investments ranging in all stages.[17]
In March 2023, General Catalyst was a supporter of the Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), after U.S. regulators shut it down after a significant number of the bank's customers sought to withdraw funds after dropping stock prices.[18][19] General Catalyst, which was a SVB customer,[20] organized a joint statement of support signed by more than 110 venture capital firms.[18]
As of 2020, it was ranked as one of America's largest venture capital firms.[21]
General Catalyst makers capital investments in seed-stage companies, early-stage businesses and later-stage companies.[22][23][24]
In 2021, General Catalyst raised $600 million for a new Health Assurance Fund.[25][26]
In July 2022, the firm raised an additional $670 million.[13] The money is invested in healthcare businesses.[25][27][28] General Catalyst has been the most active investor in healthcare since the beginning of 2020.[29][30]
In October 2023, the company announced plans to acquire a health system and "then use it as a proving ground for technology that its portfolio companies sell, including generative artificial intelligence-powered solutions applied to health care problems."[31]