Alex Finkelstein is a co-founder and general partner at Spark Capital who brings an unusual background as a former television show creator and producer for major networks like FOX, E!, and Discovery before entering venture capital. He's known for his patient, persistent approach to courting founders—famously spending three years convincing Wayfair's CEO to accept his investment—and for focusing on companies that modernize unglamorous but operationally complex markets rather than chasing consumer hype.

• Pride in backing companies at the very earliest stages, often before a product is fully formed. He highlighted this by noting his support for Flywire when it was merely a single-person student project at MIT, as well as his work with the Soundhouse team prior to their first day of official operations.
• A strong focus on modernizing legacy industries through software, specifically within construction, real estate, and industrial sectors. His investment history includes companies like Higharc, which updates residential home design and sales, and platforms like Cosuno and Wunderite that bring efficiency to construction and insurance respectively.
• Support for mission-driven healthcare startups that aim to democratize access to services. He frequently championed the growth of Talkspace from its seed round through its public listing, specifically praising its goal of bringing therapy and mental health support to a broader population.
• Appreciation for repeat collaborations with founders and utilizing alumni networks. He expressed enthusiasm about backing a new venture from a Wayfair alumnus and noted how excited he was to be back in business with founders he had successfully partnered with in the past.
• Interest in financial technology platforms that bring transparency and efficiency to complex markets. This is illustrated by his excitement regarding an investment in 9fin to improve debt capital markets, as well as his support for platforms like Videa Health that introduce efficiency to dental insurance processing.