Press Release

Carta Launches Enterprise Grade 'Carta 401(k)' for High-Growth Companies, Tapping Morgan Stanley's Institutional Consulting and Vestwell Technology

Issued by Carta

Feb. 24, 2026

New holistic workplace wealth solution bridges equity and retirement, offering automated administration and trusted investment portfolios tailored for private companies and their employees

SAN FRANCISCO & NEW YORK -- Carta, the world’s first fully interconnected system for private capital, today announced the launch of the Carta 401(k). The new offering brings institutional-grade retirement guidance and oversight from Morgan Stanley’s Institutional Consulting Solutions business and modern recordkeeping technology from Vestwell into the Carta ecosystem, providing a more seamless, intuitive retirement solution for private companies and their employees.

For start-up companies, attracting and retaining top talent requires benefits that go beyond salary and equity. However, traditional retirement plans are often disconnected from a company’s broader financial picture. The Carta 401(k) bridges that gap, allowing founders and employees to manage their ownership and retirement savings by combining Morgan Stanley’s trusted investment expertise with a digital-first platform.

"We’ve rebuilt financial benefits from the ground up to give founders and employees a best-in-class savings experience," said Henry Ward, Chief Executive Officer, Carta. "By launching the Carta 401(k), we’re making sophisticated, low-cost retirement plans, once reserved for big enterprises, available to every startup, with the simplicity and transparency they expect.”

With the Carta 401(k), powered by Vestwell and Morgan Stanley, high-growth companies can expect:

• Streamlined digital integration within the Carta ecosystem: Carta customers will have direct access to Vestwell’s digital-first, AI native retirement platform that integrates with more than 200 payroll systems, automating contributions and making 401(k) administration simple.
• Trusted investment portfolios from Morgan Stanley: Carta customers gain access to institutional-grade investment portfolios curated and managed by Morgan Stanley, giving early-stage startups robust financial advisory and fund selection options.
• Transparent pricing and tax credit optimization: Companies can take advantage of a transparent fee structure designed for scaling—with no hidden AUM penalties—while maximizing SECURE 2.0 tax credits that can offset setup and administration costs for up to three years. Employees can also benefit from competitive pricing for their investments.
• Robust fiduciary support and administrative relief: With Morgan Stanley’s fiduciary role, the Carta 401(k) streamlines compliance, making investment management more "hands-off" for busy HR and finance teams.

“Modern companies expect their financial infrastructure to scale with them,” said Aaron Schumm, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Vestwell. “By embedding retirement directly within Carta’s ecosystem, we’re turning what was once a standalone benefit into a fully-integrated part of the wealth journey by offering innovative savings tools to help teams get better control of and visibility into their investments without adding operational complexity.”

The partnership further expands Carta’s suite of services for private companies. In the last year, Carta announced two successive agreements with Morgan Stanley—as its exclusive equity compensation provider for late-stage private companies going public and as the preferred wealth manager to help private-company founders, executives, and employees prepare for liquidity events. This deepens Carta’s end-to-end IPO Advisory for private companies going public and builds on recent partnerships in IPO support and wealth management, cementing its role as the operating system for private company growth.

About Carta

Carta is the ERP for private capital, connecting the entire ecosystem—from GPs and LPs to CEOs, CFOs, employees, and advisors. Trusted by 50,000 companies in 160+ countries, our platform streamlines every ownership workflow, making it easier to understand, manage, and grow equity. With software and services built to scale, Carta empowers you to build, invest, and grow with confidence. Carta’s Fund Administration platform supports 8,800+ funds and SPVs, representing $203B+ in assets under management, with tools designed to enhance the strategic impact of Fund CFOs. Recognized by Fortune, Forbes, Fast Company, Inc. and Great Places to Work, Carta is transforming how private capital operates. For more information, visit carta.com.

About Vestwell

Vestwell is the backbone of the modern savings economy. Vestwell is a financial technology company that makes it easier for more Americans to save for life's most important moments—from retirement to education and healthcare. Founded in 2016, Vestwell's platform removes traditional barriers to saving, making it accessible, efficient, and approachable for everyone.

Vestwell provides a comprehensive suite of workplace savings solutions, including retirement plans, student loan repayment benefits, and specialized accounts for education, emergencies, and disability savings.

Trusted by financial advisers, employers, payroll providers, financial institutions, and government agencies. With a commitment to closing the savings gap and fostering a secure financial future for all, Vestwell provides the accessible savings technology everyone deserves. For more information, visit www.vestwell.com.

About Morgan Stanley

Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) is a leading global financial services firm providing a wide range of investment banking, securities, wealth management and investment management services. With offices in 42 countries, the Firm’s employees serve clients worldwide including corporations, governments, institutions and individuals. For further information about Morgan Stanley, please visit https://www.morganstanley.com

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