Podcast
Raising A Billion Dollars with Ellis Hammond
Hosted by Ellis Hammond · 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.
14episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
How We Raised $140M — The 3 Systems That Changed Everything
Mar 2700:12:17Tap to summarizeRaising $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
Transcribe →$94.1M Raised, Leveraging Newsletters to Raise Capital, ChatGPT is sending us leads
Sep 1900:20:34Tap to summarizeI'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.
Transcribe →$75.3M raised - 08/15/2025
Aug 2200:13:40Tap to summarizeI'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!
Transcribe →How to hire for your capital raising business
Jun 1100:14:40Tap to summarizeIn 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.
Transcribe →Mastering the Investor Acquisition Game
May 2800:30:59Tap to summarizeIn 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.
Transcribe →This Should be Mandatory Viewing for Capital Raisers
May 2100:09:18Tap to summarizeIn 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.
Transcribe →How to Raise Money Online… $136,000 Spent on Facebook
May 1600:19:04Tap to summarizeRaising 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.
Transcribe →Going from $250M to $1 Billion in capital raised…My Exact Plan
May 7, 202500:17:58Tap to summarizeIn this episode, I walk through the exact strategy we're using at Aspen Funds to grow from $250 million to $1 billion in capital raised—including the key hires we’re making, how we’re scaling our marketing efforts, and what’s changing in our approach as we hit new growth breakpoints. The truth is, the levers that work at $50M are different from those at $250M—and I’m sharing how we’re adapting at each stage so you can apply the same principles to scale your own capital-raising efforts.
Transcribe →Raising your first one million dollars… Only Focus on these three things!
Apr 25, 202500:13:25Tap to summarizeIf you’re trying to raise your first million dollars, I want to simplify the process for you. In this episode, I’m breaking down the three levers that actually matter—your investor list, one-on-one calls, and time watched. I’ve learned the hard way that most things don’t move the needle. So let’s cut through the noise and focus on what really drives results. This is the playbook I wish I had when I started.
Transcribe →Finally a Capital Raising Show for Real Businesses
Apr 18, 202500:02:27Tap to summarizeWelcome to Raising a Billion Dollars—a capital raising podcast built for real businesses and serious operators.Formerly known as the Kingdom REI Podcast, we’ve evolved. This show is no longer just about real estate or faith-driven entrepreneurship—though those roots still matter. We’re stepping into the next phase: helping entrepreneurs, fund managers, and business leaders master the art of raising significant capital to build lasting companies.In this short trailer episode, we share why we made the shift, what you can expect moving forward, and how Raising a Billion Dollars will serve as your go-to resource for navigating investor conversations, fund structures, private equity partnerships, and scalable capital strategies.If you're tired of hype, gimmicks, and surface-level advice—and you’re building something real—this show is for you.Subscribe now and join us as we explore what it really takes to raise and deploy capital at scale.
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