Carta Launch
Free cap table management up to 25 stakeholders + free SAFE issuance + free 409A on qualifying plans.
Carta Launch offers up to Free tier for early stage to bootstrapped, pre-seed startups, no VC referral required. Review takes 0–1 business days.
About
Carta Launch is Carta's free tier for early-stage startups: free cap table management for up to 25 stakeholders, free SAFE issuance, and free 409A valuation on qualifying plans. A natural fit right after Stripe Atlas, incorporate with Atlas, then keep your cap table on Carta. Stakeholder count and plan coverage determine when you need to upgrade.
Tiers
- Up to 25 stakeholders
- Pre-seed / early seed
Eligibility
- Up to 25 stakeholders
- US entity
- >25 stakeholders (upgrade to paid plan)
How to apply
- 1
- 2Import cap tableAdd founders, stock issuances, SAFEs.
- 3Upgrade when neededPast 25 stakeholders → paid plan.
What else you get
- Cap table management up to 25 stakeholders
- Free SAFE issuance
- Free 409A on qualifying plans
- Stakeholder portal
What credits cover (and don't)
- Cap table
- SAFE issuance
- 409A
- Advanced features beyond Launch tier
Tactical tips
- Tip 1.Pair with Stripe Atlas, Atlas incorporates, Carta manages the cap table.
- Tip 2.Get 409A before issuing options to avoid 409A audit issues later.
Frequently asked about Carta Launch
Is Carta Launch free to apply?
Yes. Applying to Carta Launch does not cost anything and does not require giving up equity. Some programs require a payment method on file that activates only after credits are consumed or expire, check the program detail page for specifics.
How long does Carta Launch take to review applications?
Processing times are shown on the program detail page. Most programs reply within 1–3 weeks. Self-serve tiers (like AWS Activate Founders) can approve in 2–7 days; partner-referred tiers (like AWS Activate Portfolio) usually take 5–10 days.
Can I combine Carta Launch with other startup programs?
Most programs stack. The "Stacks well with" section on each detail page lists commonly combined programs. A few important exceptions: if you already claimed AWS credits via Brex or Mercury, your direct AWS Activate amount may be reduced.
What is the most common reason applications to Carta get rejected?
The top rejection reasons are (1) using a personal Gmail/Outlook address instead of a company domain, (2) having a thin or placeholder website, and (3) mismatched information between the application and Crunchbase/Pitchbook. The tips section on the program page details program-specific factors.
Related programs
Stripe Atlas
$500 to incorporate a Delaware C-Corp + $2,500 Stripe credits + $50K+ in partner discounts unlocked after signup.
AngelList Stack
Cap table + banking + fundraising suite with 20% off year 1 via Brex, Ramp, and GitHub partner links.