# SDF Labs

> SDF Labs built a Rust-based, multi-dialect SQL compiler, transformation framework, and local analytical engine for data developers. Founded in Seattle in 2022, it combined static validation, column-level lineage, and metadata classifiers to catch problems earlier. dbt Labs acquired the company in January 2025 and incorporated its technology into dbt Fusion.

- **Founded:** 2022
- **Headquarters:** Seattle, United States
- **Founders:** Lukas Schulte (Co-founder and CEO), Wolfram Schulte (Co-founder and CTO), Michael Y. Levin (Co-founder), Elias DeFaria (Co-founder)
- **Products:** SDF toolchain, SDF local analytical engine, SDF classifiers and checks, dbt Fusion contribution
- **Notable:** Public launch in June 2024 after approximately two years of development., Announced USD 9 million in seed funding., Won early paying customers ClassDojo, Obie, and Linqto.

## Products & services

- **SDF toolchain** — Rust-based multi-dialect SQL compiler and transformation framework with static validation and column-level lineage.
- **SDF local analytical engine** — Local execution built on Apache DataFusion, used for data development workflows.
- **SDF classifiers and checks** — User-defined semantic labels propagated through lineage, with SQL checks against the compiler-generated information schema.
- **dbt Fusion contribution** — After acquisition, SDF technology helped form dbt’s Rust engine and native SQL comprehension capabilities; Fusion public beta launched May 28, 2025.

## Achievements

- Public launch in June 2024 after approximately two years of development.
- Announced USD 9 million in seed funding.
- Won early paying customers ClassDojo, Obie, and Linqto.
- Acquired by dbt Labs on January 14, 2025.
- Technology incorporated into the dbt Fusion engine, released in public beta in May 2025.

## Latest updates

- **2026-07** — dbt clarified that Fusion and Core v2 share a Rust foundation, while SQL comprehension remains an additional Fusion capability.
- **2026-06** — dbt released the first Core v2.0 alpha on June 1, opening the shared runtime under Apache 2.0.
- **2025-05** — dbt Fusion and the dbt VS Code extension entered public beta on May 28.
- **2025-01** — dbt Labs acquired SDF Labs and integrated the SDF team.

## Links

- Website: https://www.sdf.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sdflabs/
- GitHub: https://github.com/sdf-labs

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/sdf-labs
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-09-30