Hemant Taneja: CEO at General Catalyst
Venture capital leader Hemant Taneja, CEO of General Catalyst, champions Responsible Innovation to build market leading companies engineered for growth, resilience and societal good.
Quick Facts:
- Highlights:
- CEO and Managing Director of General Catalyst
- Author of Intended Consequences
- Advocate and thought leader in Responsible Innovation
- Co Founder and Chairman of Responsible Innovation Labs
- Formats: Keynote Speaker and Venture Capital Leader
- Audiences: Founders, venture capital and private equity firms, technology executives, healthcare leaders, climate innovators and boards navigating responsible growth.
- Outcomes:
- Frameworks for aligning innovation with long term societal impact
- Strategic insight into building resilient, market leading companies
- Practical guidance on minimizing unintended consequences in technology development
- Travels from: San Francisco, CA
- **Fee range: On Request
Talent Services
Talent Short Bio
Hemant Taneja is the CEO and Managing Director of General Catalyst, one of the world’s leading venture capital firms, and a prominent advocate for Responsible Innovation. He works at the intersection of technology, entrepreneurship and long term societal impact, helping founders build enduring, market leading companies designed for both growth and good.
In his book Intended Consequences: How to Build Market-Leading Companies with Responsible Innovation, Hemant outlines a practical framework for aligning innovation with the long term interests of society. His philosophy centers on engineering progress with greater intentionality, minimizing unintended consequences and increasing inclusivity in technology development.
Beyond his work at General Catalyst, Hemant is co founder and chairman of Responsible Innovation Labs, a nonprofit consortium focused on establishing standards that ensure technology serves the broader needs of a global society. His leadership extends into healthcare, climate and education. He serves on the Stanford School of Medicine Board of Fellows, co founded and chairs Advanced Energy Economy to advance climate and energy policy, and is a founding board member of Khan Lab School.
Read Full Bio
Hemant Taneja is the CEO of General Catalyst, and a founder, investor, and author of four books, including The Transformation Principles (2025).
His vision for General Catalyst (GC) is to be the world’s foremost technology investment company, supporting global resilience through applied AI. I first laid out his AI thesis in the 2018 book Unscaled, which explored how the economy of the future will be won by upstarts leveraging AI for hyper-focused markets. Hermant believe in investing in the critical systems that underpin modern democracies and their allies—GC’s global resilience thesis—and transforming every industry through innovative partnerships.
Hemant Taneja is an early investor in companies like Stripe, Samsara (NYSE: IOT), Snap (NYSE: SNAP), Gitlab (NASDAQ: GTLB), Grammarly, Gusto, Applied Intuition, Anduril, Ro, and Anthropic. His recent focus as an investor has been on Applied AI and sustainability with companies like Crescendo, Re:Build Manufacturing, and Charm Industrial.
Hermant’s goal is to pioneer a new model for accelerating AI transformation across critical industries through General Catalyst Transformation Companies. As Founder and Executive Chairman of Percepta, Hemant Taneja helps enterprises across healthcare, financial services, manufacturing, and government become AI-native by deploying world-class teams of researchers, engineers, and product managers directly within organizations and operating a frontier research lab powered by partnerships with AWS and Anthropic.
Alongside his work at General Catalyst, Hemant serves on the Stanford School of Medicine Board of Fellows, have worked on climate and energy issues as the co-founder and Chairman of Advanced Energy Economy, and he is a founding board member of Khan Lab School, an innovative K-12 school.
Contact us at Speakers Inc and follow us on LinkedIn
Videos
Interest to Book? Send us your enquiry
No reviews available for this post.
Talent FAQ's
Do speakers charge a flat fee or by the hour?
Speaker fees can vary depending on factors such as expertise, demand, and event specifics. While some speakers may charge a flat fee for their services, others may have hourly rates. It’s best to discuss fee structures directly with the speaker or their representative to understand the pricing model.
What is the typical duration of a keynote speech and what is included?
Keynote speeches typically range from 30 to 90 minutes, with the duration determined by the speaker’s expertise, the event’s agenda, and audience preferences. Keynote speeches often include a combination of inspirational stories, practical insights, and actionable advice tailored to the event’s theme or objectives.
Does the scale of the event and audience size affect a speaker’s fee?
The scale of the event and audience size can indeed impact a speaker’s fee. Larger events with a broader reach or higher attendance may command higher fees due to increased exposure and demand. Conversely, smaller events or niche audiences may offer opportunities for more flexible pricing arrangements.
Travel expenses and other costs
Travel expenses such as transportation, accommodation, and meals are typically negotiated separately from the speaker’s fee. These costs vary depending on the speaker’s location, travel distance, and event duration. It’s important to clarify travel arrangements and expenses during the booking process to avoid misunderstandings.
Deposits and securing a booking
Many speakers require a deposit to secure a booking, with the remaining balance due closer to the event date. Deposits are often non-refundable and serve as a commitment from both parties. It’s advisable to discuss deposit requirements and payment terms with the speaker or their representative when finalizing the booking.
Additional tips and takeaways
- Virtual speaking appearances are a cost-effective alternative to high speaking fees, often 10-50% cheaper than in-person rates.
- There is typically no difference in fee for a 15-minute speech versus a 60-minute speech.
- Some motivational speakers are open to discounting their fee if hired for more than one event by the same organization.
- When browsing speakers, consider their location to keep travel costs down.
- Personal connections to your organization or event location can increase your chances of securing a renowned speaker.
- Be upfront about your needs and expectations to ensure a successful partnership.
- Speaker bureaus like Speakers Inc help guide you through the booking process to negotiate the best deal with favorable terms.
Ready to find the perfect speaker for your event? Use our advanced search feature or contact us to get started today!
You may be interested in...
- (15)
Jasmine Star helps entrepreneurs build a brand and market it on social media. After quitting law school, she picked up a camera, built an internationally recognized business, and teaches others how to do the same. In addition to chasing wild dreams, Jasmine works with her husband and grumpy dog, and you’ll likely find her walking […]
- Travels from: Newport Beach, CA
- Business Speakers
- (21)
Sara Blakely is the Founder and Executive Chairwoman of SPANX. She revolutionized the undergarment industry with just $5,000 and a “lucky” red backpack and turned it into a global brand known for inventing smarter, more comfortable solutions. Sara was named one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the world and was featured on […]
- Travels from: Atlanta, GA
- Innovation Speakers
- (26)
As a Corporate Culture Specialist, Greg Hawks shapes environments where everyone gets to contribute their best daily! For two decades he has mentored leaders, developed teams, crafted culture and empowered employees. As a Keynote Speaker, he is an enthusiastic character. His style, wit and energy consistently capture the attention and imagination of audiences. His forward […]
- Travels from: Edmond, OK
- Culture Speakers
- (25)
- (5)
Bill Benjamin is not your typical motivational speaker. With a background deeply rooted in mathematics and computer science, he stumbled upon a transformative realization while working in the technology industry – the power of managing emotions. This epiphany led him on a journey to become a leading authority in Emotional Intelligence (EI), eventually co-founding the […]
- Travels from: Chicago, IL
- Leadership Speakers
- (40)
Dag Kittlaus is a leading authority in artificial intelligence and an entrepreneurial powerhouse in the tech industry. As the co-founder and CEO of Siri, the groundbreaking digital assistant acquired by Apple, and later Viv, an advanced AI platform acquired by Samsung, Kittlaus has been at the forefront of AI innovation for over a decade. His […]
- Travels from: Chicago, IL
- AI Technology Speakers
- (34)
Daniel Lubetzky is a Builder. Best known as the founder of KIND Snacks, Daniel is a social entrepreneur whose work spans industries, ideologies, and borders always rooted in the same mission: to equip people to think flexibly, solve problems creatively, and build lasting solutions to our world’s most difficult challenges. The son of a Holocaust […]
- Travels from: New York, NY
- Business Speakers
- (11)
Jim Knight is a renowned keynote speaker, author, and training and development expert known for his expertise in helping organizations of all sizes achieve excellence and what he often refers to as “rock star” status. With a background in education and a passion for helping individuals and organizations reach their full potential, Jim Knight has […]
- Travels from: Winter Garden, FL
- Motivational Speakers
- (75)
James Clear is a name synonymous with transformative change and personal growth. As a personal development keynote speaker and the New York Times bestselling author of “Atomic Habits,” Clear has inspired millions with his practical and insightful approach to building better habits and achieving long-term success. His work transcends the typical self-help genre, offering actionable […]
- Travels from: Columbus, OH
- Motivational Speakers
Disclaimer
These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.
Fee Range Information
All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.
