Adam Valkin is a South African-born investor at General Catalyst who served as founding CEO of LOVEFiLM before its sale to Amazon and previously ran global digital strategy at major TV producer Endemol, giving him an unusual operator background and incumbent media perspective. He focuses on backing companies that rebuild entire consumer experiences in traditional industries like banking and insurance, while also investing in AI tools that help large incumbents modernize—pursuing both disruptors and the software that enables established players to adapt.

• Celebration of portfolio milestones and founder partnerships. He consistently highlights major company events, such as the BigCommerce IPO or financing rounds for startups like Hopin and Deliveroo, and makes a point to frame these moments as a privilege to partner with the founders rather than viewing them merely as financial transactions.
• Strong interest in consumer marketplaces, lifestyle, and fitness technology. His investment history reflects a clear preference for consumer-facing platforms that disrupt traditional industries, evidenced by his repeated enthusiasm for companies like the car-selling platform Vroom, the fitness membership service ClassPass, and the home gym system Tempo.
• Promotion of the collective strength and expertise of his venture firm. He frequently welcomes new partners to General Catalyst, such as Ken Chenault, and amplifies the wins of his colleagues, suggesting he values founders who appreciate the support of a broader firm rather than just an individual investor.
• Sharing of actionable leadership advice and operational wisdom. He often circulates insights on management mechanics and career development, such as promoting a discussion by his partner Paul Sagan on leading through crises or sharing advice on priorities for first-time CEOs.
• Appreciation for mentorship, history, and long-term relationships. He has shared personal tributes to figures who influenced his early career, such as Robin Klein who gave him an internship in the mid-90s, indicating a high regard for loyalty, humility, and acknowledging the people who help build one's career.