IC24 Keynote Spotlight
David Fialkow, co-founder and managing director of General Catalyst, is recognized for his significant contributions to both venture capital and documentary filmmaking. With a career that bridges financial insight and creative storytelling, Fialkow’s upcoming keynote at Invest Canada ’24 is set to provide offer attendees a unique blend of insights into investment, creativity, and societal change.
As a venture capitalist, Fialkow’s journey began alongside Joel Cutler, with whom he founded General Catalyst, a firm that has emerged as one of the leading venture entities over the last decade. With a portfolio boasting names like Stripe, Snap, Airbnb, Anduril, and Canva, General Catalyst’s success is a testament to Fialkow’s and his team’s ability to identify and nurture companies that not only promise returns but also drive significant societal impact. This journey from conceiving General Catalyst on a Hawaiian beach to its rise as a powerhouse underscores an understanding of the intricacies of building a firm that has withstood the test of time.
Parallel to his VC career, Fialkow’s passion for storytelling and social justice has manifested in his involvement in documentary filmmaking. A graduate of Colgate University, where he first dipped his toes into the art of filmmaking, Fialkow has since been a pivotal figure in producing documentaries that tackle pressing global issues. Notably, he is known for his work on “Icarus,” a documentary that exposes the dark underbelly of doping in professional sports, not only won an Oscar but also highlighted the power of documentary filmmaking in uncovering truths and fostering societal discourse. The Oscar winning best documentary, “Navalny,” focuses on Alexei Navalny, a prominent Russian opposition leader and anti-corruption activist who died in a Russian prison in February 2024. The film highlights his political journey, poisoning, recovery, and fight against corruption in Russia. His filmography extends to other significant works, such as “Bending the Arc,” “The Dissident,” and “The First Wave,” each of which delves into critical themes ranging from healthcare to social justice.
Fialkow’s dual expertise uniquely positions him to discuss the convergence of creativity and impact investing. His keynote at Invest Canada ’24, Elevate Your Impact & Talent with Oscar-Winning Insights, presented by Fonds de solidarité FTQ, promises to shed light on nurturing teams and projects that aim for financial success while making a significant societal impact. Drawing from his experience in financial services, digital health, AI, data analytics, alongside his passion for storytelling and social justice, Fialkow is set to offer unparalleled perspectives on the power of impact investing in shaping the future of business.
Fialkow’s narrative is one of marrying the disconnected worlds of private capital investment and documentary filmmaking into a cohesive strategy that leverages the strengths of each to foster business growth and societal progress. Attendees of his keynote can expect to leave with a deeper understanding of how to enhance team dynamics, invest with purpose, and drive innovation, all while contributing to a more equitable and just society.
