The data revolution is transforming every business in the world, and Tristan Handy sits near the center of it. Starting with a simple idea, he and his team built dbt Labs into a multi-billion-dollar tech company by understanding how technology is changing the world and what that meant for how people should change with it.

This episode dives into Tristan’s journey, his thoughts about entrepreneurship, and the lessons he learned while leading one of the most central companies in the industry.

From Practitioner to Pioneer
Tristan Handy’s journey began with years of experience in data roles, culminating at RJMetrics. There, he encountered a transformative moment: the rise of Amazon Redshift, the first cloud-native data warehouse. This innovation disrupted traditional business intelligence (BI) tools and catalyzed Tristan’s realization that the future of data analytics lay in the cloud. He then launched Fishtown Analytics, a consultancy that helped startups implement cloud data systems. This endeavor ultimately gave birth to dbt (Data Build Tool), a revolutionary approach to data transformation and governance.

Building the Foundations of dbt
Dbt wasn’t initially a product; it was a tool Tristan and his co-founder created to solve a problem that they thought needed solving. However, as people adopted and expanded its use, a community began to form. The project’s open-source nature fueled its growth, with dbt becoming a core tool for data teams worldwide. Today, over 50,000 companies use dbt in production, and it serves millions of data practitioners.

Scaling the Business, Preserving the Culture
The journey from a bootstrapped consultancy to a venture-backed powerhouse worth over $4 billion wasn’t without challenges. Tristan shared insights on scaling while maintaining the culture and values that defined the company’s early days. He emphasized the importance of retaining long-tenured team members who deeply understand the product’s ethos.

Lessons on Venture Capital and Founding
Reflecting on the venture capital landscape, Tristan offered candid observations. While acknowledging the resources VC brings, he highlighted the inherent misalignment between founders’ visions and the VC focus on extreme outcomes. He underscored the importance of founders being intrinsically driven by the change they wish to create, cautioning against entering entrepreneurship solely for prestige.

The Future of Data and AI
The conversation touched on the evolution of data, from structured rows and columns to the vast potential of unstructured data in AI applications. Tristan acknowledged the paradigm shift AI represents, predicting that while today’s AI aids discrete tasks, its true potential lies in reshaping how we create and use knowledge. However, he remains cautious, stressing that transformative change requires time and iterative progress.

Nonlinear Growth and Innovation
One of the key takeaways was the importance of nonlinear growth. Both Ben and Tristan discussed how significant breakthroughs—those “10x moments”—often define the trajectory of a business. These nonlinear events, coupled with steady incremental progress, are what drive true innovation and scalability.

Closing Thoughts
Tristan Handy’s story is a masterclass in thoughtful entrepreneurship. From leveraging community-driven growth to balancing the demands of scaling a business, his journey offers invaluable lessons for founders and technologists alike. As dbt Labs continues to shape the data ecosystem, Tristan’s commitment to empowering practitioners and fostering innovation stands as a model for what’s possible in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.

Listen to the full episode for more on Tristan’s journey, the challenges of scaling a mission-driven business, and the future of data and AI. Onward!

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For a deeper dive into these insights and more, be sure to listen to the full episode of the Onward podcast.

Have questions or feedback about this episode? Drop us a note at [email protected]. 

Onward is hosted by Ben Miller, co-founder and CEO of Fundrise. Podcast production by The Podcast Consultant. Music by Seaplane Armada. 

About Fundrise 
With over 2 million users, Fundrise is America's largest direct-to-investor alternative asset investment platform. Since 2012, our mission has been to build a better financial system by empowering the individual. We make it easier and more efficient than ever for anyone to invest in institutional-quality private alternative assets — all at the touch of a button. 

Please see fundrise.com/oc for more information on all of the Fundrise-sponsored investment funds and products, including each fund’s offering document(s). 

Want to see the specific assets that make up and power Fundrise portfolios? Check out our active and past projects at www.fundrise.com/assets.

Build-to-Rent (BTR) may be the biggest innovation in real estate this decade and NexMetro Communities is arguably the originator. Since 2010, NexMetro has been developing BTR projects, with over 55 projects across the U.S., offering cottage-style homes specifically designed for renters. Hartmann provides insight into BTR’s growth, his unique business strategies, and the challenges in reshaping real estate for a new generation.

Understanding Build-to-Rent
Hartmann explains BTR as homes designed exclusively for rental, offering tenants a single-family home lifestyle without ownership. NexMetro’s developments include a range of single-story cottages that foster a sense of privacy while delivering amenities typically found in multifamily units, such as gyms and pools. According to Hartmann, BTR appeals to people who value flexibility and quality without the commitment of home ownership, filling a gap in the housing market for those who prefer to rent but want more than an apartment.

The Three Pillars of BTR
Hartmann distinguishes three BTR categories:

1. Single-family homes for rent.

2. Townhomes purpose-built for renting.

3. Cottage-style multifamily units, NexMetro’s specialty, blending the appeal of detached homes with the advantages of multifamily living.

Timing Is Everything in Real Estate
Real estate cycles are pivotal to innovation and profitability. As Miller points out, real estate evolves through “waves,” such as the mall boom in the 1970s or the single-family rental trend in the 2010s. BTR is shaping up to be the next big wave, attracting increasing interest from renters and institutional investors.

Consumer-Centric Development
Understanding renters’ needs has been crucial for NexMetro’s success. For example, through consumer research, they’ve learned that amenities like clubhouses or dual bathroom sinks were less important than space efficiency. This consumer-first approach allows NexMetro to streamline costs while delivering a product that resonates with its target demographic.

Challenges and Future Outlook
Zoning and permitting obstacles are major hurdles. NexMetro often needs 18 months or more to secure zoning approvals, with success rates around 60%. Political and community factors complicate projects, especially as cities grapple with housing shortages and balancing growth.

Hartmann remains optimistic about the future, especially with real estate facing declining supply due to high interest rates and reduced construction starts. This scarcity may benefit BTR, positioning NexMetro to meet rising rental demand in areas where traditional homeownership is out of reach or less desirable.

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Have questions or feedback about this episode? Drop us a note at [email protected]. 

Onward is hosted by Ben Miller, co-founder and CEO of Fundrise. Podcast production by The Podcast Consultant. Music by Seaplane Armada. 

About Fundrise 
With over 2 million users, Fundrise is America's largest direct-to-investor alternative asset investment platform. Since 2012, our mission has been to build a better financial system by empowering the individual. We make it easier and more efficient than ever for anyone to invest in institutional-quality private alternative assets — all at the touch of a button. 

Please see fundrise.com/oc for more information on all of the Fundrise-sponsored investment funds and products, including each fund’s offering document(s). 

Want to see the specific assets that make up and power Fundrise portfolios? Check out our active and past projects at www.fundrise.com/assets.

A couple hundred people in San Francisco may be on the cusp of inventing artificial general intelligence (AGI). Yet most people are not paying close attention, are skeptical, and are certainly not in the room. Dwarkesh pulls back the curtain so that the broader public can understand what people who are actually building AI think is going to happen.

The conversation begins with Dwarkesh drawing parallels between the current AI revolution and past technological shifts, like the Industrial Revolution, emphasizing the potential for AI to massively increase productivity and automate jobs. He paints a picture of a future where AI, especially artificial general intelligence, could lead to unprecedented economic growth, comparing it to the rapid transformation seen in cities like Shenzhen, China. However, Dwarkesh also cautions about the risks of an intelligence explosion, where superhuman AI could drastically alter societal dynamics.

The discussion then moves into scenario planning, exploring various potential futures for AI development. In a positive scenario, AI continues to advance parabolically, boosting productivity and economic growth. Conversely, a negative scenario sees AI hitting significant challenges or diminishing returns, slowing its progress. A surprise scenario considers AI developing in unforeseen ways. Dwarkesh emphasizes the importance of managing public expectations and preparing for a range of outcomes, highlighting the necessity of effective redistribution and retraining programs to help workers transition as AI reshapes the job market.

Finally, Ben and Dwarkesh consider the public policy demands and philosophical implications of AI. They discuss how AI could change human cognitive biases, improving decision-making, but also potentially amplify negative traits like greed and power-seeking. Dwarkesh advocates for policies that ensure the broad deployment of AI systems to allow society to adapt gradually and stresses the need for coordinated global efforts to manage AI's geopolitical impacts. The episode concludes with reflections on the crucial role of ethical standards in AI development, underscoring the importance of dialogue and collaboration to harness AI's benefits while mitigating its risks.

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Have questions or feedback about this episode? Drop us a note at [email protected]. 

Onward is hosted by Ben Miller, co-founder and CEO of Fundrise. Podcast production by The Podcast Consultant. Music by Seaplane Armada. 

About Fundrise 

With over 2 million users, Fundrise is America's largest direct-to-investor alternative asset investment platform. Since 2012, our mission has been to build a better financial system by empowering the individual. We make it easier and more efficient than ever for anyone to invest in institutional-quality private alternative assets — all at the touch of a button. 

Please see fundrise.com/oc for more information on all of the Fundrise-sponsored investment funds and products, including each fund’s offering document(s). 

Want to see the specific assets that make up and power Fundrise portfolios? Check out our active and past projects at www.fundrise.com/assets.

John Burns is a renowned expert on the housing market. In this episode, John unravels the complexities of today’s economic climate and housing trends, providing a comprehensive analysis of the housing market, demographic shifts, homebuilding industry, and rental sector. Whether you're a homeowner, investor, or simply interested in economic trends, this episode offers valuable perspectives on the current state of the housing market and what lies ahead.

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Have questions or feedback about this episode? Drop us a note at [email protected]. 

Onward is hosted by Ben Miller, co-founder and CEO of Fundrise. Podcast production by The Podcast Consultant. Music by Seaplane Armada. 

About Fundrise 

With over 2 million users, Fundrise is America's largest direct-to-investor alternative asset investment platform. Since 2012, our mission has been to build a better financial system by empowering the individual. We make it easier and more efficient than ever for anyone to invest in institutional-quality private alternative assets — all at the touch of a button. 

Please see fundrise.com/oc for more information on all of the Fundrise-sponsored investment funds and products, including each fund’s offering document(s). 
Want to see the specific assets that make up and power Fundrise portfolios? Check out our active and past projects at www.fundrise.com/assets.

Artificial intelligence has the potential to revolutionize warfare and reshape geopolitics. Professor Andrew Wilson, professor of Strategy at the US Naval War College, explores the transformative power of military technology throughout history and its implications for the future.

In this episode of Onward, host and Fundrise CEO Ben Miller and Professor Andrew Wilson explore how technological advancements not only transform warfare but also reshape political, social, and economic landscapes. Seemingly small technological advancements (especially those in the military realm) often have profound and lasting effects on societal structures and political dynamics.

"Victory smiles up those who anticipate changes in the character of war, not upon those who wait to adapt themselves after the changes occur."
 –Italian Air Power Theorist, General Giulio Douhet

Ben and Professor Wilson illustrate this by examining historical breakthroughs such as the stirrup, which led to the rise of feudalism in medieval Europe, and the Greek trireme, which fostered Athenian democracy and economic expansion. The discussion also highlights society’s transition from bronze to iron weaponry, which democratized military power by making effective weapons more accessible, thereby altering the balance of power in ancient civilizations.

Moving to the present day, the conversation addresses the ongoing revolution in military technology, particularly focusing on AI and autonomous weapon systems. Professor Wilson and Ben discuss modern technologies’ potential to either democratize or centralize military power, depending on their cost to manufacture. This episode also explores China's military modernization efforts, emphasizing the strategic focus and investment in emerging technologies. Professor Wilson underscores the importance of maintaining an innovative edge and strategic flexibility to navigate the complex relationship between the United States and China, while also stressing the need for clear communication to avoid the so-called Thucydides Trap, where rising powers and status quo powers are potentially destined for conflict.

Have questions or feedback about this episode? Drop us a note at [email protected]. 

Onward is hosted by Ben Miller, co-founder and CEO of Fundrise, and Cardiff Garcia, Editorial Director of the Economic Innovation Group and host of the economics-focused podcast The New Bazaar (after spending many years as the co-creator and co-host of NPR's The Indicator podcast).

Podcast production by The Podcast Consultant. Music by Seaplane Armada. 

About Fundrise 

With over 2 million users, Fundrise is America's largest direct-to-investor alternative asset investment platform. Since 2012, our mission has been to build a better financial system by empowering the individual. We make it easier and more efficient than ever for anyone to invest in institutional-quality private alternative assets — all at the touch of a button. 

Please see fundrise.com/oc for more information on all of the Fundrise-sponsored investment funds and products, including each fund’s offering document(s). 
Want to see the specific assets that make up and power Fundrise portfolios? Check out our active and past projects at www.fundrise.com/assets.

Although each major technology wave is unique—mainframes, the personal computer, internet, mobile, cloud, and now AI—the way they have played out has been surprisingly consistent. The core financial, product, and economic patterns repeat each innovation cycle and help define which companies go on to win or lose.

In this episode, Ben and Cardiff identify and discuss the five most significant patterns: 1) waves, 2) bridging, 3) democratization, 4) centralization-decentralization, and 5) the 3x multiple — and attempt to draw the lessons from the past to the opportunities of the present.

Have questions or feedback about this episode? Drop us a note at [email protected]. 

Onward is hosted by Ben Miller, co-founder and CEO of Fundrise, and Cardiff Garcia, Editorial Director of the Economic Innovation Group and host of the economics-focused podcast The New Bazaar (after spending many years as the co-creator and co-host of NPR's The Indicator podcast).

Podcast production by The Podcast Consultant. Music by Seaplane Armada. 

About Fundrise 

With over 2 million users, Fundrise is America's largest direct-to-investor alternative asset investment platform. Since 2012, our mission has been to build a better financial system by empowering the individual. We make it easier and more efficient than ever for anyone to invest in institutional-quality private alternative assets — all at the touch of a button. 

Please see fundrise.com/oc for more information on all of the Fundrise-sponsored investment funds and products, including each fund’s offering document(s). 
Want to see the specific properties that make up and power Fundrise portfolios? Check out our active and past projects at www.fundrise.com/assets.

Two roads diverged before the US. One the way of growth and the other the way of a debt spiral. In this episode, Cardiff Garcia and Ben Miller look at the state of US dynamism vs. indebtedness, and the narrow path that would lead to a prolonged US boom. They scenario plan three potential futures: the continuation of current growth trends, a major recession, and a surprise development. The discussion spans historical debt trends, the impact of AI and technology on growth, and the influence of interest rates and fiscal policies. They highlight the strategic balance required between debt management and economic development, with a focus on achieving a ‘soft landing.’ This episode covers the key decisions between leveraging growth and managing debt that will shape America’s economic destiny.

Have questions or feedback about this episode? Drop us a note at [email protected]. 

Onward is hosted by Ben Miller, co-founder and CEO of Fundrise, and Cardiff Garcia, co-founder of Bazaar Audio and host of the economics-focused podcast The New Bazaar (after spending many years as the co-creator and co-host of NPR's The Indicator podcast). 

Podcast production by The Podcast Consultant. Music by Seaplane Armada. 

About Fundrise 

With over 2 million users, Fundrise is America's largest direct-to-investor alternative asset investment platform. Since 2012, our mission has been to build a better financial system by empowering the individual. We make it easier and more efficient than ever for anyone to invest in institutional-quality private alternative assets — all at the touch of a button. 

Please see fundrise.com/oc for more information on all of the Fundrise-sponsored investment funds and products, including each fund’s offering document(s). 
Want to see the specific properties that make up and power Fundrise portfolios? Check out our active and past projects at www.fundrise.com/assets.

On the latest episode of Onward, Fundrise CEO Ben Miller is joined by Ali Wolf, Chief Economist at Zonda and one of the smartest people we know for analyzing and understanding housing and the economy. As we’re still in the early weeks of 2024, Ben and Ali’s conversation focuses on lessons learned from the past year, when a confluence of factors resulted in an economic period that still demands attention and deciphering: What happened to the recession that most economists believed was all but inevitable a year ago? Did we dodge that recession or just delay it? How do you tell the difference between a soft landing and an economic downturn that’s simply slowing? Is it possible to rely too much on history when trying to develop a forecast? Looking ahead, Ali shares her thoughts on which housing markets are most exciting going into the next twelve months (and which are likely to lose momentum). She also shares insights based on home builder surveys, leading to Ali’s forecast for what home pricing will look like through the rest of the year. And, importantly, when Ali’s spoken to builders, the two sentiments that have stood out have been both a sense of caution and a sense of optimism. As Ben says, that’s terrific news: Those emotions, together, tend to equal a balanced economy… and often what comes out of that balance is real, lasting growth.

All this and more, on the latest episode of Onward.

Have questions or feedback about this episode? Drop us a note at [email protected].

Onward is hosted by Ben Miller, co-founder and CEO of Fundrise, and Cardiff Garcia, co-founder of Bazaar Audio and host of the economics-focused podcast The New Bazaar (after spending many years as the co-creator and co-host of NPR's The Indicator podcast).

Podcast production by The Podcast Consultant. Music by Seaplane Armada.

About Fundrise
With over 2 million users, Fundrise is America's largest direct-to-investor alternative asset investment platform. Since 2012, our mission has been to build a better financial system by empowering the individual. We make it easier and more efficient than ever for anyone to invest in institutional-quality private alternative assets — all at the touch of a button.  

Please see fundrise.com/oc for more information on all of the Fundrise-sponsored investment funds and products, including each fund’s offering document(s).

Want to see the specific properties that make up and power Fundrise portfolios? Check out our active and past projects at www.fundrise.com/assets. 

In this final Onward episode of 2023 co-hosts Cardiff Garcia and Fundrise CEO Ben Miller kick things off by discussing Ben’s major market call: The conclusion that the real estate market has hit bottom. After 18 months of escalating interest rates punishing the real estate industry, small businesses, and regional banks, we’ve entered a new period where we expect the move to falling rates to propel strong positive performance. Ben walks Cardiff through his view of the state of the economy, both macro and specific to real estate, furnished with data points drawn from top-down market analysis, bottom-up, and anecdotal evidence, referencing confidential third-party sources and Fundrise’s own portfolio of assets. Most importantly, after a year of market turbulence, the market’s trough means that it’s time for investors to shift their attitude and become opportunistic about buying along the bottom. Lastly, it’s key to note that this episode of Onward was recorded to enhance and be enhanced by the Fundrise 2023 year-end letter to investors, available at https://fundrise.com/investor-update/1123/view, and should be listened to alongside that letter, where readers will find a more thorough assessment of Fundrise’s own portfolio, along with our team’s thoughts on what the future may hold. As 2023 comes to an end and we enter a new phase for the market with the start of 2024, Onward.

Have questions or feedback about this episode? Drop us a note at [email protected].

Onward is hosted by Ben Miller, co-founder and CEO of Fundrise, and Cardiff Garcia, co-founder of Bazaar Audio and host of the economics-focused podcast The New Bazaar (after spending many years as the co-creator and co-host of NPR's The Indicator podcast).

Podcast production by The Podcast Consultant. Music by Seaplane Armada.

About Fundrise
With over 2 million users, Fundrise is America's largest direct-to-investor alternative asset investment platform. Since 2012, our mission has been to build a better financial system by empowering the individual. We make it easier and more efficient than ever for anyone to invest in institutional-quality private alternative assets — all at the touch of a button.  

Please see fundrise.com/oc for more information on all of the Fundrise-sponsored investment funds and products, including each fund’s offering document(s).

Want to see the specific properties that make up and power Fundrise portfolios? Check out our active and past projects at www.fundrise.com/assets. 

In the modern tech landscape, there are few topics more critical — or, unfortunately, more frequently overlooked and misunderstood by laypeople — than data security. Luckily Vanta has developed a revolutionary solution for how other companies can address the problem of data security compliance, with enormous subsequent benefits for how those businesses can operate safely — and access new market share as a result. In this latest episode of Onward, Fundrise CEO Ben Miller is joined by Christina Cacioppo, Vanta’s CEO and founder, to discuss some of the strategic and leadership insights that have helped guide Vanta’s success and unique growth trajectory. Christina’s leadership and Vanta’s foresight in defining a new, more streamlined way for companies to operate securely are some of the principal factors that contributed to Vanta becoming the Fundrise Innovation Fund’s first investment, in late 2022 and a subsequent year of impressive continued growth. Here, Ben and Christina’s conversation covers some of the key considerations that leaders must face in building a new, disruptive business, such as why learning to focus on a problem is often more fruitful than focusing on a solution; how a stereotypically overlooked topic, like data security, can be leveraged into 25x growth, when properly understood; the importance that iterating and making multiple attempts can be in finally developing a singular, revolutionary product; and what leaders like Christina and Ben look for in the board member, co-leaders, and venture capital partners they choose to work with. 

Have questions or feedback about this episode? Drop us a note at [email protected].

Onward is hosted by Ben Miller, co-founder and CEO of Fundrise, and Cardiff Garcia, co-founder of Bazaar Audio and host of the economics-focused podcast The New Bazaar (after spending many years as the co-creator and co-host of NPR's The Indicator podcast).

Podcast production by The Podcast Consultant. Music by Seaplane Armada.

About Fundrise
With over 2 million users, Fundrise is America's largest direct-to-investor alternative asset investment platform. Since 2012, our mission has been to build a better financial system by empowering the individual. We make it easier and more efficient than ever for anyone to invest in institutional-quality private alternative assets — all at the touch of a button.  

Disclaimer: An investor in the Fundrise Innovation Fund should consider the investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. The Fund’s prospectus contains this and other information about the Fund and may be obtained at fundrise.com/innovation. Investors should read the prospectus carefully before investing.

Please see fundrise.com/oc for more information on all of the Fundrise-sponsored investment funds and products, including each fund’s offering document(s).

Want to see the specific properties that make up and power Fundrise portfolios? Check out our active and past projects at www.fundrise.com/assets. 

People outside of the real estate investment industry may be unaware, but the market is currently navigating a period of turbulence comparable to what it experienced during the 2008 financial crisis, with cap rates and pricing down as much as 50%. In this episode of Onward, co-hosts Ben and Cardiff look at some behind-the-scenes market data that Ben has been analyzing, thanks to his on-the-ground insights through managing the Fundrise portfolio. Of particular concern has been the startling unevenness in the market, with investment property values severely misaligned with the values attached to properties purchased and sold by individual homebuyers. In order to understand these differences, our hosts point out, we need to look at more than just completed transactions and sales prices — we also need to consider the numbers behind offers that are not being completed, to see why sellers are not willing to accept the low prices that current buyers are willing to pay. And in order to see those kinds of bids, you need to be directly involved in the market’s dynamics — a perspective Ben can fortunately share, with a helpful glimpse into a couple properties in Fundrise’s portfolio.

As always, great change opens the door to great opportunity — but what else does the current state of investment real estate mean for the economy, writ large? Will interest rates continue at their present level, despite the rupture in the bond markets and continued challenges for banks? When and how will the impact on the real estate industry make its way to other sectors? Why exactly is the market broken — and what will it take to fix it? 

To read more background information on Ben and Cardiff’s conversation in this episode, visit https://fundrise.com/education/onward-episode-30. 

Have questions or feedback about this episode? Drop us a note at [email protected].

Onward is hosted by Ben Miller, co-founder and CEO of Fundrise, and Cardiff Garcia, co-founder of Bazaar Audio and host of the economics-focused podcast The New Bazaar (after spending many years as the co-creator and co-host of NPR's The Indicator podcast).

Podcast production by The Podcast Consultant. Music by Seaplane Armada.

About Fundrise
With over 2 million users, Fundrise is America's largest direct-to-investor alternative asset investment platform. Since 2012, our mission has been to build a better financial system by empowering the individual. We make it easier and more efficient than ever for anyone to invest in institutional-quality private alternative assets — all at the touch of a button.  

Please see fundrise.com/oc for more information on all of the Fundrise-sponsored investment funds and products, including each fund’s offering document(s).

Want to see the specific properties that make up and power Fundrise portfolios, including the ones mentioned in today’s episode? Check out our active and past projects at www.fundrise.com/assets.