
How to understand early-stage startups in one chart.
Valuations (single line in the chart) are pretty solid these days! So why does it feel so...dour?
Mostly due to the dotted line, which shows volume (number of rounds).
Caveat here - I do think the volume lines will move up for Q2 once our final numbers are in. Volume data on the platform lags a bit.
But still - the level of activity probably dictates the general "vibe" of early-stage startups more than the exact valuation does.
Does this mean that only the "best" Seed and Series A companies are raising? Well, certainly fewer are. VCs are likely raising the bar in terms of metrics they want in order to invest.
But the companies that are raising are doing so at pretty robust valuations.
More data every week in our Data Minute newsletter - URL in the chart :)
#cartadata #valuations #seed #SeriesA #startups #fundraising
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