Charles Schwab Backs Singapore’s Qapita, A Carta Challenger, In $26.5M Deal
Charles Schwab backs Singapore’s Qapita, a Carta challenger, in a $26.5 million Series B funding round that marks a major step for the fintech’s expansion into U.S. markets. The partnership is more than just a funding milestone — it’s a strategic move to reshape how startups manage equity globally.
Image Credits:Qapita
Schwab And Qapita Join Forces To Power U.S. Equity Management
As part of the deal, Charles Schwab introduced a new product, Schwab Private Issuer Equity Services, powered by Qapita. The platform allows U.S. startups to efficiently manage cap tables, administer employee stock plans, and prepare for IPO readiness — functions traditionally dominated by Carta.
This collaboration underscores Schwab’s growing focus on private markets while giving Qapita a solid foothold in North America.
From Spreadsheet Chaos To Smart Equity Management
Founded in 2019 by Ravi Ravulaparthi (CEO), Lakshman Gupta (COO), and Vamsee Mohan (CTO), Qapita emerged from a simple observation: too many companies still relied on spreadsheets for ownership tracking.
To solve this, Qapita built an integrated platform that simplifies equity management, employee stock options, and secondary share sales — helping private firms maintain transparency and compliance at scale.
Carta’s Exit Opened Doors For Qapita In Asia
When Qapita officially launched in 2021, it quickly gained traction in Southeast Asia and India. Carta, a major U.S. competitor, briefly entered the Indian market but exited in 2023 — creating space for Qapita to establish dominance in the region.
Today, Qapita serves over 2,700 companies, with roughly 70% based in India and 20% across Southeast Asia, including Singapore and Indonesia. Impressively, about half of India’s unicorns are Qapita clients, according to CEO Ravulaparthi.
Freemium Model Driving Strong Adoption
Qapita offers a free tier for early-stage startups, allowing founders to easily manage ownership data from day one. Around 1,400 companies now pay for at least one of Qapita’s premium features — a testament to its product-led growth and strong customer retention.
Expanding Beyond Asia: Qapita Eyes The U.S. Market
While Qapita already has a handful of U.S.-based startups on its platform, the partnership with Charles Schwab significantly accelerates its American market entry. Through Schwab’s extensive network, Qapita can now reach thousands of private firms seeking better tools for equity management and compliance.
“This partnership helps us scale globally while staying true to our mission — simplifying equity ownership for every stakeholder,” said Ravulaparthi.
A Challenge To Carta’s Dominance
By backing Qapita, Charles Schwab signals growing confidence in Asia’s fintech innovation and a strategic play against Carta’s dominance in private equity management. The partnership bridges two powerful ecosystems — Silicon Valley and Singapore — redefining how equity technology scales across borders.
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