In a world grappling with unprecedented challenges — from climate change to geopolitical tensions, from technological disruptions to global health crises — as we see it, the need for global resilience has never been more crucial. Building off our previous launches in the US and UK, we are excited to announce a significant step towards addressing this new era of transformation: the expansion of the General Catalyst Institute (GCI) to India. GCI is on a mission to promote global resilience by backing transformative technologies and shaping public policy that advances our societal impact. 

As a vibrant democracy with a population of over 1.4 billion people and an economy that has undergone seismic transformation over the last 40 years, India’s size, scale, and diversity uniquely position it among the most exciting and dynamic cohort of nation states on earth.

India’s Opportunity: A Spark For Global Resilience

The General Catalyst Institute represents a novel approach to understanding the ways in which we move beyond venture to something bigger — a societal role that harnesses tech for lasting impact. We believe that the most impactful innovations of our time will emerge at the intersection of transformative technologies, thoughtful public policy, and visionary entrepreneurship.

GCI India aims to focus on the five key pillars that we believe are fundamental to building global resilience:

1. Artificial Intelligence (AI): Harnessing the country’s vast pool of tech talent to develop applied AI solutions that address societal challenges.
2. Healthcare: Building on India's strengths in pharmaceuticals and telemedicine to create more accessible and affordable healthcare solutions.
3. Defense & Intelligence: Incubating homegrown technologies to enhance national and global security in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.
4. Manufacturing: Leveraging advanced technologies to secure India’s role as manufacturing titan and promoting resilient global supply chains.
5. Energy: Accelerating India's transition to renewable energy sources and developing its role as a model of global decarbonization.

Our Commitment to India’s Builders, Visionaries, & Dreamers

GCI’s expansion into India is not just about concepts and paradigms — it's underpinned by significant investment and a long-term commitment to the market, like our June merger with Venture Highway. 

This merger isn't just about a confident investment thesis, either — it's about venturing beyond, and building a robust ecosystem that nurtures innovation, supports entrepreneurs, and creates lasting impact. We aim to be more than just financial backers of India’s startup builders; we want to be true partners in building companies that can transform industries, innovate responsibly, and improve lives.

"We believe GCI's growing presence in India is vital to advancing key policies and initiatives through strategic, purposeful relationships with the country's entrepreneurs, leaders, and policymakers. This collaboration enables us to create and partner with organizations that seek to drive innovation and deliver meaningful impact across the nation." -General Catalyst - India’s Priya Mohan

The GCI in India: An Ambitious Approach to Policy Formation

The GCI in India aims to serve as a bridge between various key constituencies in India’s thriving ecosystem of entrepreneurship and tech development:

• We will listen to, learn from, and engage with Indian policymakers to support public policies that foster national and global resilience.
• We will pursue a vision of responsible innovation and support intentional deployment of new technologies in the market.
• We’ll collaborate with academic institutions and civil society to drive cutting-edge research and its practical, homegrown applications in India.
• We'll partner with established industries to drive digital transformation and innovation within traditional sectors.
• Most importantly, we'll support entrepreneurs who are developing breakthrough solutions to some of the world's most pressing problems.

The Path Ahead: A Call for Collaboration 

As we launch the General Catalyst Institute in India, we extend an invitation for collaboration and engagement:

• To entrepreneurs: We offer not just capital, but a platform and counsel as you scale your products and services globally.
• To policymakers: We are eager to learn and to work jointly to foster a policy environment that advances responsible innovation.
• To academic institutions & civil society groups: Join us to bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and real-world applications.
• To established industries: Join us in driving transformation and staying ahead of the shocks that lie ahead for our interconnected economic system.
• To our fellow investors: Let's work together to build an ecosystem that nurtures breakthrough ideas and supports long-term value creation.

The challenges we face as a global community are immense, but so is the potential for transformation and progress. India, with its extraordinary blend of talent, scale, and entrepreneurial zeal, has a critical role to play in building a more resilient world.