The Dart Board with Daniel Dart Henry Ward | Carta - On being an ‘accidental founder,’ scaling a unicorn in a ‘non-hype’ sector, and how to build effective teams and manage mental health
Apr 2, 2025
Henry Ward, CEO and co-founder of Carta, shares his inspiring journey from a failed startup to leading a thriving unicorn that supports over 40,000 companies. He discusses the challenges of scaling a business in a non-hype sector and the evolution of Carta from simple cap tables to comprehensive financial services. Henry emphasizes the importance of effective team management, the emotional complexities of leadership, and the balance between customer focus and mental health. His insights on resilience and empathy in personal growth make for a thought-provoking listen.
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Carta's Evolution
- Carta began by digitizing stock certificates, a then-$120 service competing with FedEx.
- It evolved into a $500M ARR business encompassing cap tables, fund administration, and private equity.
Founder's Journey
- Henry Ward didn't initially aim to solve a specific problem but loved the founder journey.
- This passion allows him to work on diverse products, contributing to Carta's wide range.
Ignoring Hype
- In hype-driven markets, founders should avoid chasing trends and focus on unique solutions.
- Henry Ward advises embracing non-hype sectors, citing Carta's success with cap tables.