From Audit Stress to Fundraise Success | Carta x KPMG High Growth Ventures
As startups scale, the rules often shift faster than founders anticipate. What was once a “nice to have,” an audit quickly become a signal of whether a business is credible, investable, and ready for its next phase of growth.
Audits and governance aren’t just compliance hurdles, they reveal whether a company can be trusted under scrutiny - and whether a raise or exit will run smoothly or stall.
But most teams only learn what “good” looks like when they’re already under pressure. That’s when the audit stress hits: lean finance teams stretched thin, preventable mistakes surfaced late, and costly clean-ups.
This in-person session is designed for Series A+ founders, CFOs and C‑suite leaders who are facing increasing expectations from investors and auditors.
This is not an audit “how-to”. It’s a conversation about using financial discipline as a strategic advantage, so you can raise or exit with fewer surprises.
🌟 You’ll leave with clarity on:
When an audit actually becomes necessary, and what changes at Series A+
What investors and buyers are really looking for
The most common mistakes that create delays, rework, and credibility issues
What “good” actually looks like in audit readiness and financial maturity
How financial maturity impacts trust and deal momentum and why small inconsistencies can snowball quickly
📆 Date: Wednesday, 11 March 2026
⏰ Time: 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
📍 Venue: Sydney
📢 Speakers
Alex Apoifis
Partner & COO, Blackbird
Alex Apoifis is a seasoned financial services professional with over 15 years of experience. As Partner and Chief Operating Officer at Blackbird Ventures, he is responsible for overseeing all operational aspects of the funds, including finance, investor relations, and compliance. He has helped scale some of Australia and New Zealand’s most ambitious tech start-ups like Harrison.ai and Propeller. Having worked on numerous transactions throughout his career in finance, Alex is all too familiar with how audits can either expedite or derail a deal.
Dhimant Narsey
Director, KPMG
With over 10 years of experience, Dhimant is an Audit Director specialising in audit and assurance services for fast-growing scaleups. His client base spans ASX 200 companies, dynamic start-ups, and private equity-backed businesses, with a particular focus on first-time audits and key milestones such as growth, restructuring, acquisitions, and exits. He is known for helping clients navigate complex regulatory environments with confidence, ensuring they stay ahead of evolving statutory requirements.
Federico Tata Nardini
CFO, Fleet Space
Federico is an experienced CFO with nearly 20 years of global leadership spanning Europe, India, the UAE, and Australia. As CFO of Series D space-tech startup Fleet Space Technologies, he plays a critical role in scaling the business globally, serving on the boards of its international subsidiaries and leading financial strategy through periods of rapid growth. Operating in a highly regulated industry, Federico is deeply familiar with the growing importance of audit readiness and governance, having seen first-hand how audits become more rigorous as a company matures and investor expectations rise.
Xavier Keary (Moderator)
Partner and Head of G+T Ventures | Gilbert + Tobin
Xavier Keary leads G+T Ventures at Gilbert + Tobin, where he advises startups, scaleups, and venture funds on fundraising, structuring, and exit pathways. His background in venture law and corporate M&A gives him a clear understanding of how legal frameworks can create real value at exit. Xavier regularly works with founders on setting up share structures, managing cap tables, and preparing for due diligence well ahead of a transaction or IPO. At this session, he’ll share the key issues that trip up exits, and how to anticipate and avoid them through proactive legal and structural planning.