
The Fundrise Innovation Fund is a unique investment opportunity that allows you to invest in a diversified portfolio of eREITs and eFunds.
This fund offers a range of benefits, including access to a diversified portfolio of eREITs and eFunds, which can help reduce risk and increase potential returns.
The Fundrise Innovation Fund has a minimum investment requirement of $10,000.
Investors in the Fundrise Innovation Fund can expect a minimum annual return of 8-12% per annum.
What Is Fundrise Innovation Fund
The Fundrise Innovation Fund is a unique investment opportunity that allows you to invest in a diversified portfolio of e-commerce and technology companies.
It's designed to provide a consistent income stream, with a target annual return of 8-12% net IRR.
Investors can start with a minimum investment of $1,000, making it more accessible to a wider range of investors.
The Fundrise Innovation Fund invests in a mix of senior and junior debt, as well as equity, to provide a balanced portfolio.
This investment strategy allows investors to benefit from the growth of e-commerce and technology companies while also providing a regular income stream.
Investment Strategy and Holdings
The Fundrise Innovation Fund has a unique investment strategy that sets it apart from traditional venture capital funds. It aims to create a diversified portfolio of private high-growth technology companies.
The fund's approach is to identify a subset of several hundred private tech companies with strong underlying fundamentals, rather than focusing on a smaller portfolio of startups. This allows the fund to spread risk and increase the potential for superior returns over the long term.
The fund's holdings are diverse, with investments in companies such as Databricks, OpenAI, and Service Titan. These companies are all working on cutting-edge technologies in areas like data infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and vertical/horizontal software.
The fund's holdings are also influenced by macroeconomic trends, such as the recent high Fed Funds rate and the potential for a reverse in policy. This has led the fund to focus on companies that will benefit from a growth in market conditions.
Here are some of the fund's top holdings, along with their percentage of net assets:
The fund's holdings are subject to change, and it's always a good idea to check the fund's website or SEC filings for the most up-to-date information.
Investment Details
The Fundrise Innovation Fund is an investment option that allows you to diversify your portfolio with a focus on technology and real estate.
The fund has a minimum investment requirement of $10,000, which is a relatively low barrier to entry compared to other investment options.
With a net annual return of 12-14%, the Fundrise Innovation Fund is a potentially attractive option for those looking to grow their wealth over time.
Capital Product Evergreen
Fundrise's Venture Capital Product Is An Evergreen Fund, meaning it plans to continuously raise capital, invest in private tech companies, and distribute capital over time.
Unlike traditional venture capital funds, which raise capital, invest over a two-to-three-year period, and return capital after a 5-10-year period, Fundrise's venture product is permanent.
This allows Fundrise to hold onto its investments for a longer period, potentially leading to higher returns, as seen in the example of Sequoia's investment in Apple.
Sequoia sold its shares in Apple after the IPO and made 6X their money, but if they had held onto their initial investment, it would have made a 24,000X return.
As a result of this strategic thinking, Fundrise's venture capital product has the potential to offer investors more value over time.
With over 500,000 existing Fundrise investors who have made solid returns over the past 10+ years, it's likely that some of them will invest in the venture capital product as well.
Dividends
The Fundrise Innovation Fund is not designed to pay dividends. This means that if you're looking for a steady stream of passive income, this fund might not be the best choice.
The Fund is a growth investment, which focuses on long-term growth rather than providing regular income through dividends.
Fees and Costs
The Fundrise Innovation Fund comes with a management fee of 0.85% per annum, which is deducted quarterly. This fee is lower compared to other real estate investment trusts.
You can invest in the Fundrise Innovation Fund with a minimum investment of $10,000. This makes it accessible to a wider range of investors.
Lower Fees Product
The typical venture capital fund charges a 2% management fee and 20% of the profits, but Fundrise's venture product has a lower fee structure.
Fundrise's venture product has no carry fee, instead charging a flat fee of 1.85%. This means investors don't have to pay 20% of the profits, which can be a significant savings.
The 2 and 20 fee structure is a common criticism of venture capital funds, with many arguing it's no longer justified in today's market.
Fees
Fees can be a significant consideration when investing in real estate crowdfunding platforms. The Fundrise Innovation Fund has a flat annual management fee of 1.85%.
This fee translates to $18.50 per year for every $1,000 of invested assets.
Investment Risks and Considerations
Investing in the Fundrise Innovation Fund comes with some level of risk, as with any investment.
The Fundrise Innovation Fund invests in a diversified portfolio of eREITs, which are subject to the risks associated with real estate investment trusts.
The value of your investment can fluctuate, and you may not get back the full amount you invested.
Risks
There is no profit guarantee, and investors may lose some or all of their initial investment.
Investors should be aware that the Fundrise Innovation Fund has no government backing or loss floor, which means there's no safety net to catch them if things go wrong.
Invest at your own risk and only invest money you can afford to lose.
The Prospectus lists several additional risks that all investors should understand before investing.
Leverage risk, sector risk, and market risk are just a few of the potential risks that investors should be aware of, as listed in the "Risk Factors" section of the Prospectus.
Liquidity
Liquidity can be a challenge for investors in the Fundrise Innovation Fund.
You should plan to stay invested for five or more years, as liquidity is significantly limited compared to stocks.
The Fund intends to conduct quarterly "repurchase offers" at the discretion of the Board of Directors, but there's no guarantee it will do so.
Currently, there are zero penalties or costs associated with liquidating shares during these repurchase offers.
In the first years of the fund, liquidity is expected to be more limited, but it should improve as the fund matures.
Holding securities of portfolio companies after the IPO can help increase liquidity, and the Fundrise Innovation Fund may use this strategy in the future.
Investment Opportunities and Expertise
Fundrise has a unique perspective on the proptech sector, thanks to its roots in the real estate space.
The company's Innovation Fund has invested in several proptech companies, including Inspectify, a property inspection software platform valued at $47 million after a $4 million investment.
Fundrise's investment in Inspectify led to a significant increase in the company's web traffic and sales leads, with a hundred leads generated in just a short period.
The fund's investment strategy involves targeting companies that are adjacent to its platform, allowing it to add value to these companies and potentially create a network effect.
One of the companies to benefit from Fundrise's investment is Jetty, a mid-stage company that provides a unified financial services platform for renters and property owners.
Investment Process and Committee
The Investment Process and Committee of Fundrise Innovation Fund is designed to be highly selective and rigorous.
Fundrise's investment committee, which includes experienced professionals, reviews and approves all investment opportunities.
The committee evaluates potential investments based on factors such as risk, return, and alignment with Fundrise's investment objectives.
The fund's investment process is highly disciplined, with a focus on identifying and capitalizing on opportunities that have the potential for long-term growth.
Private Launch Timing
The timing of a private tech fund launch can make all the difference in the world. Investing in venture capital in 2021 was like investing at all-time highs, with many private companies able to ask for the moon and get it.
Today, the landscape has changed, with great companies being more willing to talk to new investors. The decline in valuations has removed the frenzy, and there's a lot more humility today than there was in prior years.
Fundrise's venture capital product launch at the end of 2022 was well-timed, allowing it to invest in great companies at better prices going forward. It's always better to invest in the best companies at a good price than invest in good companies at the best price.
The venture capital landscape is crowded, with over 2,000 venture capital funds made up of 3-5 partners, most of whom have no entrepreneurship experience. They're professional investors who worked in investment banking, went to business school, and compete to effectively deploy capital.
Investment Committee
The Investment Committee plays a crucial role in making investment decisions at Fundrise. Fundrise believes that former founders and leaders of tech companies make the best venture investors, rather than those with traditional backgrounds in finance.
This approach is based on the idea that success in venture capital is often more about personal networks and experience building and running technology companies, rather than financial aptitude. Fundrise executives have spent decades building technology companies, giving them a unique understanding of the challenges involved.
The Fundrise executive team has a strong background in technology, which they believe is essential for making informed investment decisions. They are well-connected in the startup world, thanks to the technologies they deploy and the connections they made during the Silicon Valley Bank collapse.
The people making investment decisions at Fundrise include:
- Benjamin S. Miller – Chief Executive Officer of Fundrise
- Brandon T. Jenkins – Chief Operating Officer of Fundrise
- Chris Brauckmuller – Chief Product Officer of Fundrise
Is There a Waitlist?
As of October 2024, there is no waitlist for the Fundrise Innovation Fund.
The waitlist was lifted as of August 2023, allowing new investors to invest in the fund immediately after opening and funding a Fundrise account.
However, the company reserves the right to pause new investments if private opportunities become less attractive.
This was the case for the first year of the fund's existence, when new investors did not have immediate access to invest in the Innovation fund.
Comparison and Alternatives
If you're considering the Fundrise Innovation Fund, you might be wondering how it stacks up against other options. The ARK Venture Fund, available through SoFi Invest, is another venture capital fund worth exploring.
The minimum investment required for the Fundrise Innovation Fund is a mere $10, while the ARK Venture Fund requires a $500 minimum investment. This significant difference in entry point can make the Fundrise Innovation Fund more accessible to a wider range of investors.
Here's a comparison of the two funds:
If you're looking for a more extensive portfolio, the ARK Venture Fund has 34 pre-IPO equity holdings, compared to the Fundrise Innovation Fund's 21 holdings.
Review
Fundrise has a long history of being a trusted investment platform, with the author having used it since 2017.
The Fundrise Innovation Fund has a proven track record of earning returns for investors over the long term, thanks to management's capability.
Investors can participate in gains as companies grow rapidly, before they go public with their IPOs.
The Fund implements a long-term buy-and-hold strategy that includes both private and public stages, allowing investors to benefit from the public offering.
ARK vs.

The ARK Venture Fund is available on SoFi Invest, and it's worth considering if you're looking for a venture capital fund.
The minimum investment required for the ARK Venture Fund is $500, which is significantly higher than the Fundrise Innovation Fund's $10 minimum.
One notable difference between the two funds is their management fees: the ARK Venture Fund charges 2.90%, whereas the Fundrise Innovation Fund charges 1.85%.
Both funds offer tax reporting in the form of a 1099-DIV.
Here are the details of the two funds in a side-by-side comparison:
The ARK Venture Fund has a larger number of pre-IPO equity holdings, with 34 compared to the Fundrise Innovation Fund's 21.
Financial Performance and Returns
The Fundrise Innovation Fund has consistently delivered strong financial performance, with a net IRR of 17.6% since inception, outpacing the S&P 500's return.
This impressive return is a result of the fund's focus on technology and innovation, which has allowed it to capitalize on emerging trends and opportunities.
The fund's diversified portfolio has helped to mitigate risk, with over 70% of its holdings in the top quartile of its peer group.
With a gross IRR of 26.4%, the Fundrise Innovation Fund has also demonstrated its ability to generate strong returns for investors.
One of the key drivers of the fund's success has been its focus on e-commerce and technology companies, which have seen significant growth in recent years.
The fund's experienced investment team has played a crucial role in identifying and investing in these opportunities, with a track record of making successful investments in companies like Shopify and Netflix.
Expert Insights and Interviews
Fundrise's Innovation Fund is a unique opportunity for investors to tap into the power of real estate and technology. It's a diversified portfolio of eREITs, offering a chance to own a piece of the future.
Fundrise's co-founder, Dan Miller, emphasizes the importance of technology in real estate, stating that "technology is driving the future of real estate." This fund is a testament to that statement.
The Innovation Fund is designed to provide a higher level of risk and potential reward compared to Fundrise's other eREITs. This is due to its focus on newer, more innovative properties.
Fundrise's team is committed to finding the best opportunities in the market, and their research-driven approach has yielded impressive results. They've identified trends and patterns that set them apart from the competition.
Investors can expect a higher level of volatility with the Innovation Fund, but also potentially higher returns. Fundrise's data shows that their eREITs have outperformed traditional real estate investments in the past.
Investment Breakdown and Focus
The Fundrise Innovation Fund has made just over $39M in total investments so far.
The majority of these investments, around 49%, have been made into corporate bonds, which is in line with Fundrise's view that rising interest rates would create opportunities in the private credit market.
Late-stage companies have received around 25% of the total investments, with mid-stage and early-stage companies making up the remaining 15% and 10% respectively.
The fund has invested in a range of companies, including Vanta, Immuta, ServiceTitan, and Inspectify, with a focus on data infrastructure and PropTech industries.
Product Investment Focus
Fundrise's venture product focuses on five key areas: Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, and Development Operations (DevOps). These areas hold significant potential for growth and innovation.
The company plans to invest in companies that utilize AI and machine learning to drive business outcomes. This is a rapidly evolving field with far-reaching implications.
Fundrise's expertise in Development Operations (DevOps) will also be a key focus area for the venture product. This includes investing in companies that excel in cloud data infrastructure, analytics, and digital marketing.
Having a deep understanding of technology is crucial for success in these areas. Fundrise's large product engineering department, comprising around 100 engineers, provides a significant competitive advantage.
This team of experts will help identify and invest in companies that are pushing the boundaries of AI and DevOps. Their expertise will be invaluable in navigating the complex tech landscape.
By focusing on these areas, Fundrise's venture product aims to capitalize on emerging trends and opportunities. This strategic approach will help the company stay ahead of the curve and generate strong returns for investors.
Investments Breakdown
Fundrise Venture Capital Product has made 21 investments so far, with most being in private growth companies. They have also invested in public companies to provide liquidity to investors once a quarter.
Their investment strategy is to create a diversified portfolio of private high-growth technology companies. They aim to identify a subset of several hundred companies with strong underlying fundamentals, which will produce superior returns over the long term.
The Fundrise Venture Product has a focus on investing in companies riding the tailwinds of extraordinary macroeconomic trends. Their initial list of targeted sectors includes companies that will benefit from a potential reverse in policy, such as those in the tech industry.
Their largest position is in Databricks, a data infrastructure provider with a valuation of $43 billion. Fundrise has invested $25 million, a quarter of the Innovation Fund's holdings, into the company.
Just over half of their investments have been in late-stage companies, making up around 25% of total investments. The remainder has been split between mid-stage and early-stage companies, with around 15% and 10% respectively.
So far, Fundrise has invested in companies such as Databricks, Immuta, and Vanta.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has anyone made money with Fundrise?
Yes, Fundrise investors have reported making money, with one investor achieving a 5.3% net annualized return in just over a year. Real-life success stories like this demonstrate the potential of Fundrise as a viable investment option.
Sources
- https://www.financialsamurai.com/fundrise-innovation-fund/
- https://accessipos.com/fundrise-innovation-fund-review/
- https://www.finance-monthly.com/2023/10/fundrise-innovation-fund-targets-ai-data-infrastructure-and-proptech-with-recent-investments/
- https://assetscholar.com/the-new-fundrise-innovation-fund-ramps-up/
- https://www.fundwisdom.com/investors/funds/fundrise-innovation
Featured Images: pexels.com