Hosted by Ellis Hammond
Episodes
219
Latest episode
Aug 2026
Language
EN
Hey—I’m Ellis Hammond. I’ve been a part of raising over $100 million of capital and currently serve as Vice President at Aspen Funds. This show is a behind-the-scenes look at our journey to scale from $250 million in equity to over $1 billion by 2030—and how we plan to get there. Raising a Billion Dollars is for serious capital raisers, fund managers, and real estate sponsors who want to grow their own capital-raising business. It’s candid. It’s real-time. And it's packed with insights, ideas, and lessons we’re learning along the way. If you’re looking for creative strategies, tested acquisition channels, and a front-row seat to what’s working right now—you're in the right place. Let’s build something big together.
Start Earning as a Fund Manager with Aspen Funds 💰Are you a real estate fund manager, capital raiser, or sponsor who has raised more than one million dollars of other people's money and looking to diversify your offerings? If so, apply to become a capital raising partner with Aspen Funds➡ APPLY HERE: https://aspenfunds.us/fundmanagerOur firm, Aspen Funds, has raised more than $250 million of capital and growing.
Start Earning as a Fund Manager with Aspen Funds 💰Are you a real estate fund manager, capital raiser, or sponsor who has raised more than one million dollars of other people's money and looking to diversify your offerings? If so, apply to become a capital raising partner with Aspen Funds➡ APPLY HERE: https://aspenfunds.us/fundmanagerOur firm, Aspen Funds, has raised more than $250 million of capital and growing.
Start Earning as a Fund Manager with Aspen Funds 💰Are you a real estate fund manager, capital raiser, or sponsor who has raised more than one million dollars of other people's money and looking to diversify your offerings? If so, apply to become a capital raising partner with Aspen Funds➡ APPLY HERE: https://aspenfunds.us/fundmanagerOur firm, Aspen Funds, has raised more than $250 million of capital and growing.
Raising $1–10M a year and ready to scale?Aspen Funds just raised $140M, hit the Inc. 5000 (#221), and was named a top fundraiser by Juniper Square. In this episode, Ellis Hammond breaks down the systems and shifts that helped drive that growth.We cover:-Why urgency is your responsibility-How we sped up our subscription process (same-day closes)-Why multiple offerings increase investor dollars-How to turn sales into a referral-driven flywheel-Simple ways to build trust at scale-How to prioritize and measure lead acquisitionWant to raise more capital and close faster? These are the strategies we used.If you’re raising $1M+ at a time, you may qualify to partner with Aspen Funds → aspenfunds.us/fundmanagerFollow me on X for more capital raising content: https://x.com/ellis_hammond?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor&prefetchTimestamp=1732300198050
I'm thrilled to announce we've surpassed $300 million in retail capital! In this episode, I dive into our fundraising progress this year, break down the numbers, and discuss our Q3 marketing strategies. I'll share what's working and what's not, including our success with newsletter sponsorships and the emergence of ChatGPT as a new source of leads. Plus, I'll talk about the importance of third-party validation in today's AI-driven world.
I'm excited to introduce a new format designed to resonate with capital raisers and fund managers alike. In this week's update as of August 15th, 2025, I share our fundraising progress—currently at $73.3 million for the year, with a goal to exceed $100 million by year’s end. I'll also provide insights into the challenges and successes we've experienced with our multifamily deals, along with strategies for leveraging Facebook advertising and investor happy hours to boost engagement. Tune in for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at what's driving success (and what needs improvement) in capital raising today!
In this episode, I’m breaking down what you really need to know before making your next hire. After building and scaling teams across sales, marketing, and investor relations in a capital-raising business, I’ve learned that success with hiring comes down to clarity, structure, and focus. I’ll share the exact framework I use to identify when you’re ready to hire, how to create clear KPIs, and why specialists always outperform generalists. Whether you’re hiring your first VA or your next sales pro, this episode will help you hire smarter—and with confidence.
In this episode, I’m sharing a private session I led for a mastermind of top fund managers from around the country—recorded live in Austin.Over the past several years, I’ve built and scaled multiple investment platforms, and in this talk, I break down the exact framework I use to grow and scale the acquisition of new investors. This isn’t about vague marketing advice—it’s a clear, actionable system for building real momentum in your capital-raising efforts.I walk through how to identify what’s actually working in your business, how to measure the right metrics, and how to double down on the activities that move the needle. If you’re serious about building a durable, scalable investor base, this episode will give you the roadmap.Here’s what I cover:My step-by-step framework for consistent investor growthWhat most fund managers get wrong about measuring successThe levers that have created the biggest breakthroughs in our own raise strategiesHow to align your efforts with your long-term vision—and stop spinning your wheelsWhether you're just getting started or managing a growing fund, this session is packed with hard-earned lessons and next steps you can apply immediately.🎧 Let’s dive in.
In this episode, I dive into one of the most important lessons I’ve learned as a capital raiser: prioritizing cash flow early on is critical to building a sustainable business. Early in my career, I focused too much on long-term equity upside—and nearly paid the price when the market turned.I share how that experience shaped my approach and why strong, consistent cash flow is the backbone that allows your business to survive—and even grow—when others are contracting. If you're in the game of raising capital or operating investment funds, this episode is a must-listen for understanding how to structure your deals and strategy for durability, not just potential.Learn how to weather economic headwinds, maintain operational flexibility, and position your business for long-term success.
Raising capital online isn't about flashy tricks—it's about understanding what actually moves the needle. In this episode, I unpack exactly what I learned after spending $136,000 on Facebook ads to grow our investor base.You'll discover:The key marketing metrics every capital raiser should be trackingHow to adapt these paid ad strategies even if you're not running Facebook adsWhy "he who spends the most to acquire investors—profitably—wins"How to scale your online efforts without burning cashWhether you're raising $1M or $100M, the principles I share here will help you build a sustainable and scalable marketing engine to attract qualified investors online.
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