40 Minute Mentor

August 7, 2024

Gideon Valkin: From ClearScore & Monzo to building a $12m solo GP fund 

Today’s 40 Minute Mentor is Gideon Valkin, former Monzo and ClearScore Commercial Leader, Investor and Entrepreneur. 

Following 15 years as a Founder, Operator and Investor, Gideon is now combining being a Founder and Investor in the launch of Andrena Ventures – a $12m solo GP fund. 

Andrena is investing $100k-$400k tickets at pre-seed and seed into teams coming from the UK and European ecosystem, focusing on backing the most talented FinTech alumni.

In these 40 minutes, you’ll find out…

40 Minute Mentor: Gideon Valkin
“Founders deserve Investors that have relevant operating experience, time to help them and can be impartial and objective in the advice they give.”

Gideon Valkin

Tune in to discover

The Investors Founders deserve [03:00]
Upbringing & values that shape Gideon today [04:00]
Learning fundamental lessons from Tennis [10:30]
From Founder to Operator [14:15]
Overcoming the most challenging times [17:45]
Working alongside Tom Blomfield and Justin Basini [20:50]
Raising a solo GP fund [27:30]
A solo GP approach to working with Founders [29:00]
Important qualities in a Founder [32:15]
A look into the future [39:30]

Listen on

Helpful links

Helpful links:

➡️ Follow Gideon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gideon-valkin-05a44823?originalSubdomain=uk

Enjoyed this episode?

Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.

Explore more episodes

40 Minute Mentor: Jevan Soo Lenox
22 Oct, 2025

Jevan Soo Lenox on building AI-first cultures & high-performing teams at fast-growth Unicorn WRITER

40 Minute Mentor: Claire Davenport
15 Oct, 2025

Claire Davenport on career bets, leading through change & getting more women into the C-suite

11 Jun, 2025

Adriana Restrepo: The Revolut secret sauce & behind the scenes of the fast-growing Crypto wallet startup Deblock