In today’s episode, Harry and Colin sit down with Peter Walker, Head of the Insights Team at Carta. Peter focuses on uncovering key narratives across private markets, using Carta’s extensive data to provide transparency and insights for startups, investors, and emerging fund managers. With a background in data visualization and marketing, Peter shares his expertise on venture capital trends, angel investing, and fund performance, offering valuable advice on how founders and fund managers can navigate the ever-evolving landscape of private markets.
Prior to Carta, he was the Head of Marketing for the media analytics company PublicRelay. He also led the data visualization team at the Covid Tracking Project at The Atlantic during the peak of the pandemic.
If you want to learn a bit more about Carta’s SPV formation and administration tools, you can check them out at carta.com, or just run a simple search for Carta SPV.
Peter’s approach to data is grounded in bringing clarity to private markets through actionable insights. He believes in the importance of using real evidence to help founders and fund managers make informed decisions.
Peter and his wife recently welcomed their corgi puppy Penny into the family and are introducing her to every one of San Francisco's many parks.
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Segments:
0:36 Peter Walker’s introduction and role at Carta
2:33 Discussion on Carta’s data set and its importance for founders and fund managers
5:15 Overview of angel investing trends and small check sizes in early-stage rounds
7:10 Things that stood out to Peter when it comes to angel investing
8:30 Angel investing surge during 2020-2021 and current market landscape
10:38 Importance of diversification and patience in early-stage venture investing
13:35 How LPs evaluate fund managers and the role of vintage years in performance
15:54 Fund metrics: Safe markups, IRR, and TVPI
17:35 Binary KPIs
19:50 Fundraising, fund performance, and associated challenges
24:10 Balancing storytelling and data when pitching to LPs
28:38 How emerging fund managers can navigate evolving venture capital dynamics
31:15 Benchmarks for angels and emerging managers
33:51 Tips and insights for founders
35:05 Accelerators
36:00 Closing thoughts on emerging funds and venture capital
39:40 - Where to find Peter
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About Harry: Harry Campbell runs The Rideshare Guy, a popular community for drivers and gig workers. He’s an active angel investor having invested over $500k of personal funds in 30+ companies and funds over the past few years, still trying to figure it all out though! Harry also has a $500k mini-fund that invests in early stage mobility, logistics, marketplaces and his network.
Interested in learning about some of the companies Harry is angel investing in and read his deal memos, for FREE - just fill out this form - https://forms.gle/eYwtDE7p9K2bepnF8\
Harry LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/harrygcampbell/
Harry Twitter - https://twitter.com/TheRideshareGuy
About Colin: Colin Gardiner has spent over a decade building startups focusing on online marketplaces. Most recently, he worked for Outdoorsy as Chief Revenue Officer. He advises marketplace/platform startups on growth, analytics, monetization, fundraising, and strategy. He also runs the rapidly growing syndicate Yonder Ventures, which invests in marketplaces and platforms and the SaaS, Fintech, Insurtech, and the technology enabling them.
Colin LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/colingardiner/
Colin Twitter - https://twitter.com/ColinGardiner
Carta's Peter Walker on VC Metrics, Angel Investing, and Fund Performance [Ep 43]