# Benn Stancil

> Benn Stancil is a co-founder of Mode Analytics (acquired by ThoughtSpot for $200M in 2023), one of the most widely read voices in the data and analytics world, and an angel investor. He writes the popular newsletter at benn.substack.com - known for its witty, intellectually honest takes on the modern data stack, BI, AI, and startup culture. After a stint as Field CTO at ThoughtSpot post-acquisition, he now runs independently via benn.company, investing and writing with signature Friday dispatches that open with 'it's friday, and...' - a ritual his thousands of subscribers recognize instantly.

- **Role:** Independent Writer and Angel Investor at benn.company
- **Organizations:** Mode Analytics, ThoughtSpot, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Microsoft, Yammer, Every
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** BS in Mathematics and Economics, Wake Forest University, Carnegie Junior Fellow (one of 10 selected nationally), Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
- **Known for:** Co-founded Mode Analytics, scaled it to a $200M acquisition by ThoughtSpot in 2023, Built one of the most-read newsletters in data/analytics with benn.substack.com, Selected as Carnegie Junior Fellow (one of 10 nationally) from Wake Forest in 2009

## Career timeline

- **2009** — Graduated Wake Forest University with BS in Mathematics and Economics; awarded Richter Scholarship to research Shanghai Stock Exchange
- **2009-2010** — Carnegie Junior Fellow at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, International Economics Program - one of 10 selected nationally
- **2010-2013** — Senior Analytics roles at Microsoft and Yammer (acquired by Microsoft in 2012)
- **2013** — Co-founded Mode Analytics in San Francisco with Derek Steer (CEO) and Josh Ferguson (CTO)
- **2013-2023** — Chief Analytics Officer, then CTO at Mode Analytics; grew the company and its data collaboration platform
- **2023** — Mode Analytics acquired by ThoughtSpot for $200M in cash and stock
- **2023-2024** — Field CTO at ThoughtSpot post-acquisition
- **2024** — Volunteered on analytics team for Harris for President campaign
- **2024-present** — Independent writer, angel investor at benn.company; active on benn.substack.com and Every

## Achievements

- Co-founded Mode Analytics, scaled it to a $200M acquisition by ThoughtSpot in 2023
- Built one of the most-read newsletters in data/analytics with benn.substack.com
- Selected as Carnegie Junior Fellow (one of 10 nationally) from Wake Forest in 2009
- Awarded Richter Scholarship for independent research on the Shanghai Stock Exchange
- Named a top data influencer across multiple industry publications
- Angel investor in Artie ($3.3M Seed and $12M Series A), Preql, and other data infrastructure companies
- Contributed to Harris for President 2024 campaign analytics team
- Writes for Every (every.to), reaching 75K+ daily readers

## Latest updates

- **2024-11** — Volunteered on analytics team for Harris for President 2024 campaign
- **2024-02** — Participated in Artie's $3.3M Seed round alongside Lenny Rachitsky and Arash Ferdowsi
- **2024-01** — Active as independent writer and angel investor via benn.company
- **2023-06** — Mode Analytics acquired by ThoughtSpot for $200M in cash and stock
- **2023-07** — Joined ThoughtSpot as Field CTO post-acquisition

## Links

- Website: https://benn.substack.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benn-stancil
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/bennstancil
- GitHub: https://github.com/bstancil

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/benn-stancil
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-04-27