How Future Labs Capital Leverages Carta to Accelerate a Proven Investment Strategy

Future Labs Capital (FLC), a Louisville, Kentucky–based venture capital firm founded in 2021, invests mainly in quantum computing and artificial intelligence (AI) technology companies. Managing Partner and Co-Founder Hugh M. Shwab developed the investment strategy and focus while attending classes at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he made the strategic decision to join CSAIL Alliances at MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab (CSAIL). This relationship gives FLC unique access to the most cutting-edge MIT CSAIL technologies, technologists, and the opportunity to select the most promising ventures for investment.

“At Future Labs Capital, our goal is to deliver exceptional value to our investors,” says Shwab. “Our strategy—sourcing from the incredible innovation pipeline we see at MIT CSAIL – means we find opportunities that are not just good, but truly exceptional.”

Drawing on decades of experience in technology and innovation, Shwab and his team have built FLC into a high-performing venture capital firm with a track record of rapid deployment, strategic exits, and strong investor returns. To support its growth and maintain operational precision, FLC uses Carta for fund administration, fund forecasting, and Portfolio Company Data Collection for exact data to support the rapid growth of their investment strategy, allowing the FLC team to remain focused on the fund, investors and their portfolio of companies. 

With Carta as a trusted partner, Future Labs Capital quickly raised and deployed more than $25 million in 18 months, achieved two high-value exits, and launched a second fund. Carta has not only supported this rapid growth but also allowed FLC to manage the firm’s portfolio with the speed and agility its markets demand for the benefit of their investors.  

Creating value with Portfolio Company Data Collection

 By combining its disciplined investment strategy with Carta’s Portfolio Company Data Collection, part of Fund Forecasting, FLC can monitor growth and evaluate opportunities while easily sharing data with their investors and portfolio companies allowing them to implement actions at a rapid pace without the need for a large internal operations team. A key operations initiative to make the strategy successful has been onboarding their portfolio companies and limited partners (LPs) to utilize Carta for quick and easy information sharing.  

 “We can see values across the portfolio, even as companies grow quickly,” says Shwab. “For example, we have a portfolio company that started with SAFEs and, within 24 hours, we had priced rounds. Within another 12 months, this portfolio company grew from a $30 million valuation to a $200 million valuation. We kept track of all of it in Carta. It’s efficient, accurate, and frees us to focus on creating investor value.”

 Carta’s Portfolio Company Data Collection s simplifies portfolio management by automating data collection and standardizing key metrics using cap tables and other financial information. It provides an interactive dashboard, a portfolio event feed, and an audit confirmation tool. 

 Shwab and team regularly review their dashboard to track performance and, with just a few clicks, generate reports on valuations and key metrics. By giving Future Labs Capital’s limited partners (LPs) direct access to Carta, FLC fosters transparency, strengthens credibility, and builds camaraderie through shared visibility into the firm’s successes.

 “As a fund manager, you want to proudly share your wins. When LPs see the reports in Carta, they appreciate the clarity and accessibility. If they need to run a report, it’s ready instantly – just like a heartbeat you never have to think about. That reliability from Carta is crucial to our business success, allowing us to focus on our proven strategy, our funds, investors and portfolio companies.” 

Precise traceability for tax partners

Future Labs Capital also grants its tax accountants direct access to Carta, a move Shwab estimates has saved the firm up to $30,000 in tax preparation and related fees. Beyond the financial savings, the streamlined access ensures accuracy, eliminates time-consuming back-and-forth, and delivers the peace of mind that all records are organized and ready when needed.

 “We take a lot of pride in our results and make the investment to partner with what we believe are the best CPA firms in the country,” says Shwab. “So, when our accountants log into Carta and everything they need is there, I save money. I don’t have to go back and forth looking for information, which can be a major productivity killer.”  

Second fund, stronger foundation

 With new capital to deploy, FLC is leaning on Carta’s accounting tools to scale efficiently, minimize administrative strain, and keep the focus on executing its investment strategy for maximum investor returns.

 “As a fast-growing venture firm, it’s important that we’re not bogged down by tax work and operational inefficiencies. Carta’s ease of use means there’s little learning curve, and we can trust the information is accurate and ready whenever we need it. Having complete, well-organized financials at our fingertips gives us confidence and saves valuable time and money.”

Growth with speed and precision

 As Future Labs Capital grows, Carta helps it rapidly reach new milestones without excessive costs or costly lag. 

 “At some firms, you’d have to upload and send documents, manually include and confirm share prices, and go back and forth until you do a wire transfer. With Carta, that’s all done automatically.”

 He also values how seamless Carta made a recent exit, with all parties already on the platform. 

 “Everything was handled automatically, and the updated valuation was reflected instantly. We’re now a global, EBITDA-positive company, and the transition required minimal effort because everyone was already connected through Carta. When I prepare shareholder reports and update our LPs, I know the data is accurate, and they can verify it anytime.”

With Carta supporting key operations, Shwab anticipates continued efficiency gains and scalable growth.

“I can confidently say Carta saves us from having to build out a team of ten to fifteen people—and that’s with the services we already use,” says Shwab. “Because Carta supports so many of our processes, any new tool it introduces is likely to add meaningful value to our operations.”