When Barry McCardel launched Hex in 2019, the world of data science was stuck in fragmented workflows and siloed tools. Today, under his leadership, Hex is redefining how data teams explore, analyze, and share insights—bringing AI, interactivity, and real-time collaboration into one unified platform.
As Co-founder and CEO of Hex Technologies, McCardel’s vision is simple but powerful: make data science more accessible, more collaborative, and more impactful.
From Palantir to Hex: A Data Leader’s Journey
Before founding Hex, McCardel cut his teeth in two of the most transformative data-focused organizations:
- Palantir Technologies: As a Forward Deployed Engineer, McCardel worked on real-world implementations of big data for governments and enterprises, bridging the gap between technical capabilities and operational outcomes.
- TrialSpark: He later served as Senior Director of Operations & Strategy, helping accelerate clinical trials through advanced tech infrastructure—experience that shaped his view on high-stakes data applications.
But it was at Hex where McCardel would truly leave his mark, building the product he wished existed in his past roles.
Building Hex: Analytics, Evolved
Hex is not just another analytics platform. It’s a collaborative workspace where data professionals can write code, visualize insights, and share findings in real time—all within a single interface.
Key Features
- Hex Magic: AI-powered tooling that lets users generate SQL, Python, and narrative insights via natural language.
- Agentic Analytics: McCardel’s next frontier—AI agents embedded across workflows to autonomously discover insights, answer questions, and accelerate decision-making.
This future-forward approach to analytics is already earning McCardel industry attention. Hex has become the go-to tool for more than 1,500 teams, including NBA, Rivian, HubSpot, Figma, Cisco, and StubHub.
Funding the Future
Hex’s mission has garnered backing from Silicon Valley’s top investors, including:
- Sequoia Capital
- Andreessen Horowitz (a16z)
- Redpoint Ventures
- Snowflake Ventures
- Amplify
- Box Group
- Avra
The company’s most recent $70 million Series C round further validated its position as the future of collaborative data work.
Thought Leadership and Industry Impact
McCardel is not just building a company—he’s shaping the conversation around what modern analytics can be. Through appearances on The Data Stack Show, SiliconANGLE, and other platforms, he shares sharp, forward-looking insights on the convergence of AI and data workflows.
His belief? Analytics should be as collaborative and intuitive as Google Docs, but 10x more powerful.
