Latest news with #Carta
The Sun
25-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Carta Receives Financial Services Permission from ADGM's Financial Services Regulatory Authority, Unlocking New Phase of Growth in MENA's Venture Capital and Private Equity Ecosystem
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 23 May 2025 - Carta, the software platform purpose-built for private capital, today announced its Financial Services Permission (FSP) from ADGM's Financial Services Authority (FSRA), unlocking a new phase of growth in Middle East and North Africa (MENA). This milestone significantly advances Carta's global mission to make private markets more accessible, transparent, and equitable. As the world's largest fund administrator for venture capital, Carta will support the private market ecosystem in the MENA region with its end-to-end software platform for fund operations, in addition to its equity management solutions for companies (including startups). Abu Dhabi, renowned as the 'capital of capital,' has shown exceptional growth in the financial services sector. Carta's expansion comes as the UAE establishes itself as a key player in the Middle East, constituting 40% of all funding rounds in the region—a 9% year-on-year increase—according to industry reports. In 2024, assets under management (AUM) within ADGM grew by 245%, with 134 fund and asset managers operating 166 funds by the end of 2024. Carta has strategically chosen ADGM as the location for its new Middle Eastern office, strengthening the company's commitment to aligning with regions that demonstrate significant market potential and robust economic policies. Located at Hub71 WeWork, in the heart of the financial district, Carta's new office serves as a strategic base for expanding sales and marketing efforts in the MENA region, a region the company sees as highly promising. 'The Middle East is the perfect place for Carta expansion,' said Bhavik Vashi, Managing Director of Carta APAC & MENA. 'The regulatory framework in ADGM is one of the most progressive we've seen globally—exactly the type of environment needed to fuel the private markets, which is why we have made a big bet here.' Over the past few years, Carta has been working closely with government regulators and is confident that its comprehensive suite of services—such as quarterly reporting, compliance services, and tax and audit readiness—will effectively address the needs of the local community. Arvind Ramamurthy, Chief of Market Development Officer at ADGM said; 'We congratulate Carta on receiving their FSP from ADGM. We are thrilled to welcome them to ADGM's dynamic ecosystem, where innovation, growth, and opportunity thrive. Your presence enriches Abu Dhabi's financial landscape, and we look forward to supporting your success in this vibrant and forward-thinking community.' Carta currently supports a number of prominent regional customers, including Global Ventures, BECO Capital, Cotu Ventures, Outliers VC, Dubai Future District Fund, and Middle East-based unicorns Foodics and Kitopi. With ADGM license approval, Carta will continue to collaborate with the local VC & PE ecosystem to further enhance the company's service offerings and deliver greater value for the Middle East's growing private markets.
Malay Mail
23-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Carta receives Financial Services Permission from ADGM's Financial Services Regulatory Authority, unlocking new phase of growth in MENA's Venture Capital and Private Equity Ecosystem
Carta and ADGM representatives at Abu Dhabi Finance Week 2024 RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 23 May 2025 - Carta , the software platform purpose-built for private capital, today announced its Financial Services Permission (FSP) from ADGM's Financial Services Authority (FSRA), unlocking a new phase of growth in Middle East and North Africa (MENA). This milestone significantly advances Carta's global mission to make private markets more accessible, transparent, and equitable. As the world's largest fund administrator for venture capital, Carta will support the private market ecosystem in the MENA region with its end-to-end software platform for fund operations, in addition to its cap table and equity management solutions for Dhabi, renowned as the "capital of capital," has shown exceptional growth in the financial services sector. Carta's expansion comes as the UAE establishes itself as a key player in the Middle East, constituting 40% of all funding rounds in the region—a 9% year-on-year increase—according to industry reports . In 2024, assets under management (AUM) within ADGM grew by 245%, with 134 fund and asset managers operating 166 funds by the end of has strategically chosen ADGM as the location for its new Middle Eastern office, strengthening the company's commitment to aligning with regions that demonstrate significant market potential and robust economic policies. Located at Hub71 WeWork, in the heart of the financial district, Carta's new office serves as a strategic base for expanding sales and marketing efforts in the MENA region, a region the company sees as highly promising."The Middle East is the perfect place for Carta expansion," said Bhavik Vashi, Managing Director of Carta APAC & MENA. "The regulatory framework in ADGM is one of the most progressive we've seen globally–exactly the type of environment needed to fuel the private markets, which is why we have made a big bet here."Over the past two years, Carta has been laying the groundwork for its expansion by engaging in conversations with key government-linked institutions, such as ADGM, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), and the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED). These discussions have surfaced ongoing private equity needs that Carta is equipped to solve, offering MENA funds a comprehensive suite of software and services, including quarterly reporting, compliance services, and end-of-year tax and audit Ramamurthy, Chief of Market Development Officer at ADGM said; "We congratulate Carta on receiving their FSP from ADGM. We are thrilled to welcome them to ADGM's dynamic ecosystem, where innovation, growth, and opportunity thrive. Your presence enriches Abu Dhabi's financial landscape, and we look forward to supporting your success in this vibrant and forward-thinking community."Carta currently supports a number of prominent regional customers, including Global Ventures, BECO Capital, Cotu Ventures, Outliers VC, Dubai Future District Fund, and Middle East-based unicorns Foodics and Kitopi. With ADGM license approval, Carta will continue to collaborate with the local VC & PE ecosystem to further enhance the company's service offerings and deliver greater value for the Middle East's growing private #Carta The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Carta Carta connects founders, investors, and limited partners through world-class software purpose-built for everyone in venture capital and private equity. Carta's world-class fund administration platform supports nearly 9,000 funds and SPVs representing over $188B in assets under administration on fund administration, SPV formation, and more. Trusted by more than 50,000 companies, Carta helps private businesses in over 160 countries manage their cap tables, valuations, taxes, equity programs, compensation, and more. Carta has been included on the Fortune Best Large Workplaces in Financial Services and Insurance list, Forbes' list of the World's Best Cloud Companies, Fast Company's Most Innovative list, and Inc.'s Fastest-Growing Private Companies list. For more information, visit DISCLOSURE: This communication is on behalf of eShares, Inc. dba Carta, Inc. ("Carta"). This communication is for informational purposes only, and contains general information only. Carta is not, by means of this communication, rendering accounting, business, financial, investment, legal, tax, or other professional advice or services. This publication 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. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your business or interests, you should consult a qualified professional advisor. This communication is not intended as a recommendation, offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Carta does not assume any liability for reliance on the information provided herein. ©2025 Carta. All rights reserved. Reproduction prohibited. Regulated by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority.
Zawya
23-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Carta receives Financial Services Permission from ADGM's Financial Services Regulatory Authority, unlocking new phase of growth in MENA's Venture Capital and Private Equity Ecosystem
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 23 May 2025 - Carta, the software platform purpose-built for private capital, today announced its Financial Services Permission (FSP) from ADGM's Financial Services Authority (FSRA), unlocking a new phase of growth in Middle East and North Africa (MENA). This milestone significantly advances Carta's global mission to make private markets more accessible, transparent, and equitable. As the world's largest fund administrator for venture capital, Carta will support the private market ecosystem in the MENA region with its end-to-end software platform for fund operations, in addition to its cap table and equity management solutions for startups. Abu Dhabi, renowned as the "capital of capital," has shown exceptional growth in the financial services sector. Carta's expansion comes as the UAE establishes itself as a key player in the Middle East, constituting 40% of all funding rounds in the region—a 9% year-on-year increase—according to industry reports. In 2024, assets under management (AUM) within ADGM grew by 245%, with 134 fund and asset managers operating 166 funds by the end of 2024. Carta has strategically chosen ADGM as the location for its new Middle Eastern office, strengthening the company's commitment to aligning with regions that demonstrate significant market potential and robust economic policies. Located at Hub71 WeWork, in the heart of the financial district, Carta's new office serves as a strategic base for expanding sales and marketing efforts in the MENA region, a region the company sees as highly promising. "The Middle East is the perfect place for Carta expansion," said Bhavik Vashi, Managing Director of Carta APAC & MENA. "The regulatory framework in ADGM is one of the most progressive we've seen globally–exactly the type of environment needed to fuel the private markets, which is why we have made a big bet here." Over the past two years, Carta has been laying the groundwork for its expansion by engaging in conversations with key government-linked institutions, such as ADGM, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), and the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED). These discussions have surfaced ongoing private equity needs that Carta is equipped to solve, offering MENA funds a comprehensive suite of software and services, including quarterly reporting, compliance services, and end-of-year tax and audit readiness. Arvind Ramamurthy, Chief of Market Development Officer at ADGM said; "We congratulate Carta on receiving their FSP from ADGM. We are thrilled to welcome them to ADGM's dynamic ecosystem, where innovation, growth, and opportunity thrive. Your presence enriches Abu Dhabi's financial landscape, and we look forward to supporting your success in this vibrant and forward-thinking community." Carta currently supports a number of prominent regional customers, including Global Ventures, BECO Capital, Cotu Ventures, Outliers VC, Dubai Future District Fund, and Middle East-based unicorns Foodics and Kitopi. With ADGM license approval, Carta will continue to collaborate with the local VC & PE ecosystem to further enhance the company's service offerings and deliver greater value for the Middle East's growing private markets. Hashtag: #Carta The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Carta Carta connects founders, investors, and limited partners through world-class software purpose-built for everyone in venture capital and private equity. Carta's world-class fund administration platform supports nearly 9,000 funds and SPVs representing over $188B in assets under administration on fund administration, SPV formation, and more. Trusted by more than 50,000 companies, Carta helps private businesses in over 160 countries manage their cap tables, valuations, taxes, equity programs, compensation, and more. Carta has been included on the Fortune Best Large Workplaces in Financial Services and Insurance list, Forbes' list of the World's Best Cloud Companies, Fast Company's Most Innovative list, and Inc.'s Fastest-Growing Private Companies list. For more information, visit DISCLOSURE: This communication is on behalf of eShares, Inc. dba Carta, Inc. ("Carta"). This communication is for informational purposes only, and contains general information only. Carta is not, by means of this communication, rendering accounting, business, financial, investment, legal, tax, or other professional advice or services. This publication 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. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your business or interests, you should consult a qualified professional advisor. This communication is not intended as a recommendation, offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Carta does not assume any liability for reliance on the information provided herein. ©2025 Carta. All rights reserved. Reproduction prohibited. Regulated by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority. Carta
Techday NZ
19-05-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
ANZ startups lead globally in employee equity ownership
ANZ startups are showing a higher rate of employee equity ownership compared to both regional and global counterparts, according to new data released by Carta in its Startup Equity & Workforce Report. The report reveals that in 2024, 51.8% of startup employees in Australia and New Zealand exercised their stock options, a figure significantly higher than the US rate of 32.2%. The exercise rate in Australia and New Zealand also surpassed that seen in East and Southeast Asia, which stands at 22.8%, and is more than triple the rate of 14.5% seen in the Middle East and South Asia. Australian and New Zealand startups have set aside a median of 12.6% of total equity for employee stock option pools (ESOPs), exceeding both the Asia-Pacific median of 10% and figures seen in other global regions. This trend indicates a strong local commitment to broad-based employee ownership, particularly in a period of tighter access to venture capital funding and reduced hiring activity. According to the report, startups across APAC and the Middle East have scaled back recruitment efforts since the hiring surge between 2019 and 2022. This pullback has coincided with a more conservative approach to compensation, with the median size of initial equity grants to new hires in APAC and the Middle East shrinking by over 30% since 2021. The study finds that ESOPs in APAC and the Middle East typically grow from 7% of fully diluted equity at the pre-seed stage to 11% at the seed round, before stabilising in the 11-13% range at subsequent fundraising stages. ANZ startups are maintaining larger ESOP pools than those observed in East and Southeast Asia or in the Middle East and South Asia. The prevalent use of larger ESOPs and higher employee uptake rates points towards the persistence of a pro-equity culture within the Australian startup ecosystem. The report notes that while initial equity grants for new hires have become smaller, companies are maximising the value of these grants for employees in the current environment. Bhavik Vashi, Managing Director of Carta for APAC and Middle East, commented on the findings: "Australia is punching above its weight on employee ownership, and our latest data shows this trend is only continuing. Aussie founders recognise that giving employees a genuine stake in the business keeps teams motivated and committed, even when capital is tight." "They want to share the upside, but need simpler and more accessible ways to do it. That's why we've introduced Carta Launch in Australia, putting robust, compliant equity tools within reach of every early-stage company. Now, Aussie founders can make ownership their strongest recruitment and retention advantage from day one." Carta is responding to this shift by introducing Carta Launch in Australia, a free platform intended to assist early-stage founders in managing cap tables and issuing ESOPs from the outset. The service is targeted at startups with fewer than 25 stakeholders and which have raised under USD $1 million. Carta Launch is already used by over 25,000 companies globally, which have collectively raised more than USD $24 billion. The report suggests that widespread employee ownership is becoming a strategic advantage for startups by enabling founders to retain key personnel during periods of cash constraint, fostering shared accountability within smaller teams, and encouraging long-term commitment through uncertain market cycles. Effective early structuring of employee ownership can streamline future capital raising and signal maturity to investors, reducing administrative burdens as startups grow. The data and platform rollout indicate that Australian startups are leveraging employee equity not only as a means of managing compensation in a constrained economic climate, but also as a tool for sustaining workforce engagement and company growth over time.
Axios
18-05-2025
- Business
- Axios
Venture capital is stalling at seed
Venture capital's series progression is stalling at seed, according to new Carta data. By the numbers: 46% of all seed deals were bridge rounds in Q1 2024, which is the highest bridge rate for any stage since Carta has been tracking such data. The rate was 39% for full-year 2024 and just 31% in 2022. Behind the scenes: One interpretation is that market volatility is having downstream impacts, with startups delaying new priced rounds until they have more valuation certainty. Another is that this is less about supply than demand — or the so-called "Series A crunch." Most of that is driven by post-2022 VC fundraising difficulties, save for a small number of successful firms who've raised large funds that encourage later-stage checkwriting. Series A deal count fell 79% between Q1 2022 and Q1 2025, per Carta. Why it matters: Startups staying in seed can alter ROI expectations up the stack, assuming that they eventually graduate to letter rounds. That's not necessarily a problem for founders or early employees, but definitely changes the math for LPs investing in Series A or Series B-focused funds. Other Carta findings: Median founder dilution fell from seed-stage through Series D, while the median time between Series A and Series B rounds hit an all-time high of 2.8 years.
