Carta - 1,200+ seed rounds raised by US startups on Carta over the last 12 months - May 2025
FreeSeed round data from 1,200+ US startups on Carta
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About Carta - 1,200+ seed rounds raised by US startups on Carta over the last 12 months - May 2025
This analysis presents seed round data from over 1,200 US startups on Carta over the past 12 months, showing median round size and pre-money valuation by sector, along with VC sentiment on which industries are loved or disliked. The chart uses bubble size to indicate total rounds, and highlights a 20% dilution benchmark as standard for most seed rounds. Includes specific sector insights for AI, cybersecurity, hardware, social media, renewables, edtech, personal products, med devices, and food.
Key Features
Chart showing median round size (X-axis) and median pre-money valuation (Y-axis) by sector
Bubble size indicates total number of rounds per sector
Breakdown of sectors VCs loved (cybersecurity, hardware, AI, social media, renewables)
Breakdown of sectors VCs disliked (edtech, personal products, med devices, food)
20% dilution benchmark highlighted as standard for most seed rounds
AI-specific analysis embedded across sectors
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Data-driven insights from a large sample (1,200+ rounds)
- Clear visual representation of valuation and round size dynamics
- Useful for founders to gauge sector attractiveness and VC preferences
- Includes AI-specific analysis and notes on dilution standards
Cons
- Data limited to US startups on Carta, may not represent global trends
- Excludes bridges and extensions, so not a full picture of early-stage fundraising
- Analysis is from a LinkedIn post (approximately one year old) and may not reflect current market conditions
Best For
Benchmarking seed round valuations by sector for foundersUnderstanding VC sentiment across industries for fundraising strategyPre-seed and seed market research for investors and accelerators
FAQ
What data does this seed round analysis cover?
It covers 1,200+ seed rounds raised by US startups on Carta over the last 12 months, excluding messy bridges and extensions to provide pristine benchmarks.
How is the chart structured?
The X-axis is the median round size for the sector, the Y-axis is the median pre-money valuation of rounds in the sector, and bubble size represents the total number of rounds.
Which sectors did VCs love and dislike over the past year?
VCs loved cybersecurity, hardware, AI, social media, and renewables. VCs disliked edtech, personal products, med devices, and food.