Context VC

“It better be a big opportunity.” – Larsen Jensen (US Navy, Olympian ????), founder of Harpoon Ventures, on the additional risks in Defense Tech: ?? For VCs to take on these challenges, the opportunity must be strategically significant and capable of moving the needle [for the fund]. ?? Endless unique challenges, “...not only normal startup risks, team breakup risk, recruiting risk, customer risk, fundraising risk, economic risk, banking collapse risk… You also have to deal with budget holders, end users, contracting, Congress…” Watch the full recording https://lnkd.in/gjjuiapX Join us at the MVS2025 Conference: https://lnkd.in/dN9zGbYU Sign up for our Newsletter: https://lnkd.in/g6RFNhVM Join the MVS LinkedIn Group: https://lnkd.in/g62-GX24 #veteran #VC #DefenseTech #DualUse

Paul Kwan of General Catalyst dropped some timely advice on the Defense Tech & Dual Use Panel during this year’s MVS2024: ?? Patience is needed to succeed in this industry, even as excitement and investment dollars flow into Defense Tech and Dual Use. ?? Success here requires a long-term investment horizon, not quick wins. ?? The stakes in this industry are high–getting it wrong means risking the Nation’s capabilities to stay competitive and secure. Watch the full recording https://lnkd.in/gjjuiapX Join us at the MVS2025 Conference: https://lnkd.in/dN9zGbYU Sign up for our Newsletter: https://lnkd.in/g6RFNhVM Join the MVS LinkedIn Group: https://lnkd.in/g62-GX24 #DefenseTech #DualUse #PatientCapital

Advice for founders making $2.5 -10M annual revenue from Jacqueline Blackburn (US Navy, United States Naval Academy) of Decisive Point: ?? Build your network between fundraising activities, focusing on strong relationships with those who understand your business. ?? The more folks who know what stage you’re in, the better- they may not be [the right] future investors, but they may be able to pass you along to those who are or introduce you to customers. Watch the full discussion: https://lnkd.in/g6CRJvei Join us at the MVS2025 Conference: https://lnkd.in/dN9zGbYU Sign up for our Newsletter: https://lnkd.in/g6RFNhVM Join the MVS LinkedIn Group: https://lnkd.in/g62-GX24 #veteran #founders #fundraising

IP and product-building wisdom from Steve Bowsher of IQT (In-Q-Tel): ?? Productizing what you're developing for the government can help your startup avoid IP issues. ?? Joint development and grants can complicate IP rights; focus on building a product from day one to avoid increasing IP challenges. ?? A product-focused approach helps streamline your path to success in a dual-use landscape. Watch the full panel: https://lnkd.in/gzUTCWbg Join us at the MVS2025 Conference: https://lnkd.in/dN9zGbYU Sign up for our Newsletter: https://lnkd.in/g6RFNhVM Join the MVS LinkedIn Group: https://lnkd.in/g62-GX24 #DefenseTech #B2G #dualuse #startups?

We are so excited to support Steve Gilman (a US Navy veteran), Houtan Fanisalek, and the entire OneRange team as they are "putting employees in the driver’s seat when it comes to upskilling." "Founded in 2021, OneRange is “basically a marketplace that allows people to discover, get approval from their manager, and purchase any resource they want” as they upskill for their current role or even their next one." More about OneRange here: onerange.co Source: HR Brew ??

Raj S. (United States Air Force) of Shield Capital, on Dual Use & Purpose-Driven Missions: ?? He's never seen this many founders and companies interested in National Security.? ?? The problem sets in National Security matter; people don't go home from a 9-5 job working on a photo-sharing app with the same level of mission-driven purpose that one would if it were directly related to safeguarding democracy. ?? "Post-Ukraine, people realize: "Hey, we can't take democracy for granted. It's something worth defending." Watch the full panel: https://lnkd.in/gzUTCWbg Join us at the MVS2025 Conference: https://lnkd.in/dN9zGbYU Sign up for our Newsletter: https://lnkd.in/g6RFNhVM Join the MVS LinkedIn Group: https://lnkd.in/g62-GX24 #DefenseTech #purpose #mission #startups #veteran #founders

Moderated by Connie Loizos from TechCrunch, the Dual Use VC Panel discussion featured key takeaways from Bilal Zuberi from Lux Capital: ?? The right team can make or break a startup, especially in defense tech or B2G. ?? Who you surround yourself with matters when you must navigate the unexpected, especially when dealing with the government.? ?? "You can run into problems unintended and unplanned for when you're dealing with the government, and that's why you need to have the right team members, the right advisors, the right investors, and even then, you know–who knows." Watch the full panel: https://lnkd.in/gzUTCWbg Join us at the MVS2025 Conference: https://lnkd.in/dN9zGbYU Sign up for our Newsletter: https://lnkd.in/g6RFNhVM Join the MVS LinkedIn Group: https://lnkd.in/g62-GX24 #DefenseTech #B2G #startups #team #advisors #investors

Trae Stephens shares a powerful message on transparency and accountability from the MVS2023 Dual Use VC Panel: ?? At Anduril Industries, Trae emphasizes honesty with new team members: "You're building weapons. We're just going to say what it is." ?? The work touches on ethical and moral implications, which is why transparency is all the more important: "We believe this is important. And we, as leadership, are holding ourselves accountable to that standard and we are not going to shy away from the responsibility and accountability that we have to hold." Watch the full panel: https://lnkd.in/gzUTCWbg Join us at the MVS2025 Conference: https://lnkd.in/dN9zGbYU Sign up for our Newsletter: https://lnkd.in/g6RFNhVM Join the MVS LinkedIn Group: https://lnkd.in/g62-GX24 #DefenseTech #Leadership #Transparency #DualUse #veteran #founders

Wisdom from Michael A. Brown of Shield Capital (former Director of the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)): ?? The strength of the FOUNDING TEAM is key–having a team with complementary skill sets beats a solo founder every time.? ?? Do you have experience and excellence where it matters? ?? Investors take risks on tech and execution but never on the team. (Especially true in early-stage startups, when all you have is an idea or a prototype that will likely pivot at least once.) Great discussion moderated by Krystal Hu of Thomson Reuters! Watch the full recording https://lnkd.in/gjjuiapX Join us at the MVS2025 Conference: https://lnkd.in/dN9zGbYU Sign up for our Newsletter: https://lnkd.in/g6RFNhVM Join the MVS LinkedIn Group: https://lnkd.in/g62-GX24 #military #veteran #startups #founders

Join us at the next Veteran VC coalition! Thank you Lenore for leading this ??????????!