[Topline #42] Carta’s Peter Walker on Fundraising, Valuations, and Shutdowns

Carta’s Head of Insights, Peter Walker, joins the Topline hosts to discuss the implications of economic rate cuts, company shutdowns, and the challenges founders face during fundraising. The discussion also covers the best investment opportunities today and the importance of equity for employees and organizational health in companies.

In this episode, our hosts cover:

• 4:17 - Economic rate cuts and their impact on business expectations.
• 11:25 - Quality unicorns vs false unicorns and nice-to-have vs must-have products/services.
• 21:18 - Shutdowns/structural shifts and the venture capital industry.
• 37:11 - Fundraising challenges, decision-making for founders, and M&A as an exit strategy.
• 46:47 - The labor market: layoffs, hiring, and compensation.

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