In this month’s episode, we have something a bit different than our typical programming: Fundrise CEO Ben Miller introduces and elaborates on the Fundrise Innovation Fund, a brand new investment product and our entry into the world of venture capital — the next financial sector Fundrise aims to disrupt and make available to investors of all types and sizes.

After a brief description of the new product — which intends to invest in a diversified portfolio of high-growth private technology companies — Ben walks co-host Cardiff Garcia through the key features and thinking behind the fund, including:

  • Why now is the ideal time to launch the fund, particularly because of the tech sector’s recent downturn.
  • A glimpse at the ways we’re expanding Fundrise’s investing expertise beyond real estate and into pre-IPO technology companies.
  • A brief history of venture capital, including what makes some funds more successful than others, such as recognizable branding and access to the top companies in tech.
  • The three critical advantages the Fundrise Innovation Fund can leverage over incumbent VC firms.

This episode of Onward is everything you need to know about what we’re hoping to achieve in this next phase of Fundrise’s growth. You can also learn more about the Innovation Fund here.

Finally, the info-packed episode wraps up with another appearance by Fundrise’s SVP of Investor Relations & Investor Operations, Kendall Davis, who brings a new batch of investor questions for Ben to answer and discuss.