Pitch guide
How to pitch General Catalyst
General Catalyst has backed 16 of the startups in our index. Here's everything you need to know before reaching out.
Quick facts
- Type
- Sectors
- Based in
- Portfolio depth
- Website
- Twitter / X
The 4-step playbook
1. Confirm fit
Before spending a minute writing a cold email, make sure your startup matches General Catalyst's actual focus. They invest in AI, Health, Fintech. If you're outside their thesis, save yourself the rejection.
2. Get a warm intro
Cold inbound to General Catalyst works occasionally but the conversion is brutal. Find a mutual connection: a portfolio founder, an LP, or a fellow VC who's co-invested with them. LinkedIn's "see who else they're connected with" view is your best tool. If you have no mutuals, build relationships in their community first — comment thoughtfully on their content, attend events they speak at, get on their radar.
3. Tight 10-slide deck + clear ask
Your deck should be 10–12 slides covering: problem, solution, why now, market, traction, business model, team, competition, what you're raising, and the ask. For inspiration, look at decks from Stripe, Snap, Airbnb — companies General Catalyst backed early. See our pitch deck archive for slide-by-slide breakdowns of famous decks.
4. Follow up like a pro
If they pass, ask for one piece of honest feedback and one referral. Don't argue. Don't beg. Investors talk — and the founders who handle no's gracefully are the ones they remember when their next round opens. Keep General Catalyst on your update list for 6-month progress mails even after a pass; many funded deals come from second tries.
Frequently asked questions
What does General Catalyst invest in?
General Catalyst focuses on AI, Health, Fintech.
What stages does General Catalyst invest at?
General Catalyst has historically participated most in Series B, Series A, Series D rounds.
Where is General Catalyst based?
General Catalyst is headquartered in Cambridge, USA and was founded in 2000.
How do I contact General Catalyst?
The best way to reach General Catalyst is through a warm introduction from a portfolio founder or existing LP. You can also visit their website at https://www.generalcatalyst.com for application details. They're also active on Twitter/X (@gcvp).
What are General Catalyst's most famous past investments?
Notable historical investments by General Catalyst include Stripe, Snap, Airbnb, HubSpot.