The Data Minute

Welcome to a very special episode of The Data Minute. For the first time, Peter Walker (Head of Insights at Carta) is joined by an actual Founder and CEO, Anubhav Srivastava whose company Tactyc.io is now a part of the Carta family! Join them for an in-depth conversation that goes in two directions. First, for VCs, they discuss reserve ratios, recycling capital, forecasting, and the effect LP influence could have on your fund metrics. Second, Anubhav shares his experience on what it’s like to be acquired. If you're a founder wondering if it’s time to join something bigger, you won’t want to miss the advice and insight Anubhav brings to the entire process. Subscribe to Carta’s weekly Data Minute newsletter: https://carta.com/subscribe/data-newsletter-sign-up/ [https://carta.com/subscribe/data-newsletter-sign-up/] Explore interactive startup and VC data, with Carta’s Data Desk: https://carta.com/data-desk/ [https://carta.com/data-desk/] Chapters: 00:00 Welcome 02:06 An overview of Tactyc 06:42 Solving problems in portfolio management 9:08 What are the metrics that matter most? 11:36 Reserves and recycling 18:07 Bigger impact? Initial or reserve investments? 19:17 What do LPs wish more GPs told them? 27:33 A founder’s thoughts on being acquired 32:40 Outro This presentation contains general information only and eShares, Inc. dba Carta, Inc. (“Carta”) is not, by means of this publication, rendering accounting, business, financial, investment, legal, tax, or other professional advice or services, and is for informational purposes only.  This presentation is not a substitute for such professional advice or services nor should it be used as a basis for any decision or action that may affect your business or interests. © 2024 eShares, Inc., dba Carta, Inc. All rights reserved.

In this week’s episode of The Data Minute, Peter Walker (Head of Insights at Carta) and Marie Drez (Venture Capital CFO) sit down for an insightful conversation on the crucial role of fund CFOs and how emerging managers can find one. This discussion is full of expert insights. Marie shares important lessons from the SVB crisis, questions to ask banking partners, and why, in the world of AI, great CFOs are more important than ever. Subscribe to Carta’s weekly Data Minute newsletter: https://carta.com/subscribe/data-newsletter-sign-up/ [https://carta.com/subscribe/data-newsletter-sign-up/] Explore interactive startup and VC data, with Carta’s Data Desk: https://carta.com/data-desk/ [https://carta.com/data-desk/] Chapters: 00:00 Intro 1:24 What does a fund CFO do? 5:37 How to manage valuation, auditing, and taxes 10:45 What should be included in a fund’s valuation policy? 15:17 What role do CFOs play in fundraising? 19:25 How to keep LP’s informed 20:45 Lessons from the Silicon Valley Bank collapse 25:46 Establishing a new banking relationship 27:23 The role of AI and automation 33:07 How to find a CFO 35:35 Final thoughts This presentation contains general information only and eShares, Inc. dba Carta, Inc. (“Carta”) is not, by means of this publication, rendering accounting, business, financial, investment, legal, tax, or other professional advice or services, and is for informational purposes only.  This presentation is not a substitute for such professional advice or services nor should it be used as a basis for any decision or action that may affect your business or interests. © 2024 eShares, Inc., dba Carta, Inc. All rights reserved.

In this episode of The Data Minute, Peter Walker (Head of Insights at Carta) and Aditi Maliwal (Partner, Upfront Ventures) have an in-depth conversation regarding the seed and Series A market. They discuss seed stage dynamics across the U.S. plus AI companies and how to determine which companies are worth investing in. There’s also a discussion on the importance of grit, both in an investor portfolio and as a founder trait, and, of course, speed round questions. Subscribe to Carta’s weekly Data Minute newsletter: https://carta.com/subscribe/data-newsletter-sign-up/ [https://carta.com/subscribe/data-newsletter-sign-up/] Explore interactive startup and VC data, with Carta’s Data Desk: https://carta.com/data-desk/ [https://carta.com/data-desk/] Chapters: 00:00 Welcome 01:26 Shoutout to Jane! 01:58 Intro to Upfront Ventures 11:45 Changes in AI investing over the last two years 18:25 Thoughts on the founders market 23:01 Median valuations on non-AI companies 28:39 Discussing the Seed/Series A chasm 32:52 The desire to be a founder 40:36 Speed round questions 40:45 What’s a category that’s overlooked that still has opportunity? 41:40 Most unique way a fund has helped portfolio founders? 44:19 The one question more founders should ask in fundraising? 47:34 Outro This presentation contains general information only and eShares, Inc. dba Carta, Inc. (“Carta”) is not, by means of this publication, rendering accounting, business, financial, investment, legal, tax, or other professional advice or services, and is for informational purposes only.  This presentation is not a substitute for such professional advice or services nor should it be used as a basis for any decision or action that may affect your business or interests. © 2024 eShares, Inc., dba Carta, Inc. All rights reserved.

In this episode of The Data Minute, Peter Walker (Head of Insights at Carta) is joined by Rex Salisbury (Founding GP, Cambrian Ventures) to discuss what’s developing in the fintech space, GPs calling more capital, and Rex’s idea on how to get into the tech industry. This conversation also covers Rex’s personal cheat sheet explaining why someone shouldn’t be a VC, and should instead start a career in tech or become a founder. Subscribe to Carta’s weekly Data Minute newsletter: https://carta.com/subscribe/data-newsletter-sign-up/ [https://carta.com/subscribe/data-newsletter-sign-up/] Explore interactive startup and VC data, with Carta’s Data Desk: https://carta.com/data-desk/ [https://carta.com/data-desk/] Chapters: 00:00 Intro 01:07 State of pre-seed and seed markets 03:16 Comparing SaSS and fintech valuations 06:34 The value of specialized funds 08:52 Best places for early-stage fintech founders 13:13 How are founders thinking about hiring? 19:01 Should founders care about GP deployments? 24:15 Are LPs rotating away from venture? 27:19 The allure of going public 28:11 Rex’s cheat sheet on getting into VC 36:30 Why do so many MBAs want to be VCs? 39:14 When will we have a $1B company with one employee 41:20 Outro This presentation contains general information only and eShares, Inc. dba Carta, Inc. (“Carta”) is not, by means of this publication, rendering accounting, business, financial, investment, legal, tax, or other professional advice or services, and is for informational purposes only.  This presentation is not a substitute for such professional advice or services nor should it be used as a basis for any decision or action that may affect your business or interests. © 2024 eShares, Inc., dba Carta, Inc. All rights reserved.

In this episode of The Data Minute, Peter Walker (Head of Insights at Carta) is joined by David Willbrand (Chief Legal Officer, Pacaso) for a wide-ranging conversation on fundraising with SAFEs, liquidation preferences, and the relationship between founders and lawyers.  What started as a discussion on the technical aspects of raising a SAFE, late-stage liquidation outcomes, and other fundraising topics turned into an examination of the founder/lawyer relationship with one of the world’s top experts on the subject. It’s a unique look at a partnership that you don’t want to miss.  Subscribe to Carta’s weekly Data Minute newsletter: https://carta.com/subscribe/data-newsletter-sign-up/ Explore interactive startup and VC data, with Carta’s Data Desk: https://carta.com/data-desk/ Chapters: 00:16 Intro 02:01 Are SAFEs properly understood? 07:41 What should founders know before a priced round? 13:30 Valuation caps and discounts 20:30 How much should liquidation preferences matter? 32:02 Exploring the value of counsel to founders 41:41 The shifting perception on founder secondaries  47:09 Outro This presentation contains general information only and eShares, Inc. dba Carta, Inc. (“Carta”) is not, by means of this publication, rendering accounting, business, financial, investment, legal, tax, or other professional advice or services, and is for informational purposes only.  This presentation is not a substitute for such professional advice or services nor should it be used as a basis for any decision or action that may affect your business or interests. © 2024 eShares, Inc., dba Carta, Inc. All rights reserved.