The Data Minute

In this episode of The Data Minute, Peter Walker (Head of Insights at Carta) sits down with Brianne Kimmel, founder and managing partner at Worklife Ventures, to explore what it really takes to build enduring companies in today’s AI-first startup landscape.They discuss the new playbook for go-to-market, why “renewals are the new revenue,” and how modern founders are raising—and deploying—capital differently. Brianne brings a tactical lens to everything from strategic hiring and secondaries to the shift toward multi-product strategies earlier in a startup’s life cycle. Plus, she shares her hot take on failure, why founder-LP relationships are more personal than ever, and how Worklife approaches DPI with intention.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:00:00 Welcome & intro 01:22 Introducing Brianne Kimmel03:14 AI-first GTM: What’s changed?07:50 Raising strategically in a competitive landscape10:46 The importance of failure—and knowing when to quit13:12 Why companies can’t wait to go multi-product17:00 Lean teams and smart hiring 24:22 Starting Worklife30:00 Fund strategy and founder support35:50 Delivering DPI the right way42:00 Relationships with LPs45:00 Angel investing as a community builder48:30 The vision behind Worklife53:10 Rethinking what VCs can do58:05 OutroThis 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.

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/Explore interactive startup and VC data, with Carta’s Data Desk: https://carta.com/data-desk/Chapters:00:00 Welcome02:06 An overview of Tactyc06:42 Solving problems in portfolio management9:08 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 acquired32:40 OutroThis 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/Explore interactive startup and VC data, with Carta’s Data Desk: https://carta.com/data-desk/Chapters:00:00 Intro1:24 What does a fund CFO do? 5:37 How to manage valuation, auditing, and taxes10:45 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 relationship27:23 The role of AI and automation33:07 How to find a CFO35:35 Final thoughtsThis 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.

Aditi Maliwal, a Partner at Upfront Ventures and expert in seed and Series A investments, dives into the shifting dynamics of early-stage funding. She explores how AI is reshaping investment criteria and the importance of grit among founders. Aditi discusses the growing significance of specialized networks in venture capital and the rise of larger funding rounds. She also highlights the need for authenticity in communication between investors and founders, and shares insights on overlooked investment categories and the evolving landscape of startup funding.

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/Explore interactive startup and VC data, with Carta’s Data Desk: https://carta.com/data-desk/Chapters:00:00 Intro01:07 State of pre-seed and seed markets03:16 Comparing SaSS and fintech valuations06:34 The value of specialized funds08:52 Best places for early-stage fintech founders13:13 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 public28:11 Rex’s cheat sheet on getting into VC36:30 Why do so many MBAs want to be VCs?39:14 When will we have a $1B company with one employee41:20 OutroThis 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 Intro02:01 Are SAFEs properly understood?07:41 What should founders know before a priced round?13:30 Valuation caps and discounts20:30 How much should liquidation preferences matter?32:02 Exploring the value of counsel to founders41:41 The shifting perception on founder secondaries 47:09 OutroThis 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 Charles Hudson (Managing Partner and Founder, Precursor Ventures and writer of the Venture Reflections Substack - chudson.substack.com) for a deep discussion about pre-seed deals, the differences between multi-stage and small funds, and the types of investing that work in this AI dominated market. They also cover SAFEs, how pre-seed investing has changed, Charles' time in the National Venture Capital Association, and how what happens in Washington can affect emerging managers nationwide.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:00:00 Welcome1:42 Intro to Precursor Ventures7:06 The changes in pre-seed syndication13:38 Setting aside reserves in funding15:23 Competing with multi-stage funds19:12 Distinctions in AI funding 23:09 Making the case for small funds30:51 SAFEs and priced rounds37:47 Handling LP concerns39:34 Secondary selling and liquidity 43:24 Speed round questions43:29 Most interesting sector or subsector for investment?44:12 Most unique way that a GP has brought value to a portco?45:45 The one question more founders should ask in fundraising?48:16 The National Venture Capital AssociationThis 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.

Waseem Daher, Co-founder and CEO of Pilot, brings insights from the trenches of early-stage startups. He discusses the delicate balance founders face when setting their salaries amidst investor pressures. The conversation dives into the impact of economic changes on founder compensation, especially across different regions and sectors, including the AI landscape. Waseem also tackles essential metrics like burn rate and runway, while emphasizing the emotional challenges of financial austerity and the importance of clear storytelling to attract venture capital.

In this episode of The Data Minute, Peter Walker (Head of Insights at Carta) is joined by Kate Shillo Beardsley (Founding Partner, Hannah Grey) for a wide-ranging conversation on VC, private equity, investor trends, and the chasm between seed stage startups and those that make it to series.This jam-packed conversation also includes a debate on priced rounds versus SAFEs, the importance of a founder’s DNA over where they are located, and, of course, AI.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:00:00 Welcome03:29 Intro to Hannah Grey04:44 How are a VC or thesis and a sector different?07:02 Discovering and identifying trends10:11 Leading vs. following in investing15:25 Priced rounds, SAFEs, and leverage21:22 Developing an AI thesis 25:42 The Series A Chasm32:10 Is it easier to build a business today with less cash?34:47 Difference in founder mindset by geography37:16 The thesis Kate is most excited about right now39:26 Most unique way a fund has brought value to a portco42:22 The number one question founders should ask during fundraising 45:28 When does venture stop being positive?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.

The podcast discusses the current state of pre-seed funding in the market, the use of SAFEs and convertible notes, understanding valuation caps, and choosing the right instruments for fundraising. It provides insights from the State of Pre-Seed: Q1 2024 report and offers advice to pre-seed founders on building their cap table and fundraising with SAFEs through Carta Launch.