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.
38:23
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Quick takeaways
- Henry Ward's journey to becoming an accidental founder illustrates the importance of resilience and adaptability in addressing startup challenges.
- Ward emphasizes mental health as essential for effective leadership, advocating for therapy to enhance emotional intelligence among founders.
Deep dives
Evolution of Carta
Carta has transformed from a small startup focused on digitizing stock certificates to a company generating approximately $500 million in annual recurring revenue with around 2,000 employees. The initial vision was to replace paper stock certificates with electronic versions, allowing for a more efficient method of handling equity. Over the years, Carta expanded its offerings to include cap table management, fund accounting, and private equity solutions, demonstrating a strong product-market fit. This expansion reflects not only the company's growth but also the continuing evolution of startup financing processes.
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