​A lower-than-expected valuation doesn’t just affect optics, it changes how your company operates.

​In this session, Charlie O’Donnell of nextNYC sits down with Evelyn Tay, who leads Global Valuations at Qapita, to unpack what founders often misunderstand about 409A valuations and the real implications when those numbers move.

​Most founders treat 409As as a compliance exercise and something to check off between raises. But in today’s market, valuation shifts are happening more frequently, and the downstream impact touches everything from hiring and employee morale to option pricing, fundraising strategy, and board dynamics.

​We’ll go beyond the headline “valuation shock” moment to explore what’s actually happening underneath:

• ​How 409A valuations are determined and why they diverge from your last round

• ​What a lower (or higher) 409A means for employee equity and retention

• ​The strategic decisions founders face after a valuation reset

• ​Common mistakes companies make when reacting to valuation changes

• ​How to communicate valuation shifts internally and externally

​Evelyn brings a global perspective from working with companies across stages and geographies, while Charlie adds the investor lens, how these dynamics show up in fundraising conversations and long-term company building.

​If you’ve raised capital, plan to, or are managing a team with equity, this is a conversation worth understanding before you’re forced to react to it.

​Speaker:

​Evelyn Tay, Head of International Valuations at Qapita

​Moderated by Charlie O'Donnell of nextNYC.

​​Thanks to our sponsor Qapita for making this webinar possible!

Qapita is a global equity management platform that helps startups and scaleups manage cap tables, employee equity, and investor reporting with clarity and confidence. Trusted by companies from early stage through IPO, Qapita simplifies equity administration across jurisdictions while giving founders, finance teams, and investors a real-time view of ownership.