In this episode of a16z Speedrun, Henry Ward — CEO and cofounder of Carta — reflects on the realities of scaling a company after growing his startup into a 2,000-person powerhouse. Joined by Games partner Josh Lu, he breaks down the differences between hiring people who truly believe in your mission versus those who are just in it for the paycheck, and how that choice impacts your culture as the team expands. He also touches on the often-misunderstood concept of product-market fit, explaining why founders sometimes try to sell too early, before the foundation is ready.
Henry goes deeper into the evolving role of a CEO, describing the shift from hands-on builder to systems thinker — someone who creates the environment for others to thrive. He talks about focusing on the right leading indicators rather than just chasing results, and opens up about leadership transparency: when it's valuable to share openly, and when it might be better to hold back. The episode offers a no-fluff perspective on what it really takes to grow a company that lasts.
