Veteran Founders & Funders Group
Launched on September 4, 2024, the Veteran Founders & Funders Group has grown to over 80 members.
Our mission is to accelerate the success of scalable startups led by veteran founder teams through networking events, resources, and mentorship opportunities. Regular meetups provide founders with valuable connections to fellow entrepreneurs, angel investors, and venture capitalists.
In partnership with Venture Mechanics, members gain access to mentors, workshops, accelerators, coworking spaces, and funding opportunities—including equity and non-dilutive capital. Open to all, including allies, VFF fuels veteran entrepreneurship, driving impact and success in the startup community.
Mar 12, 2025
The Veteran Founders & Funders Group is open to all veterans of all nations' armed forces, DOD employees, and DOD prime contractors. Join us for registration and networking from 5pm-6pm. The event will run from 6pm-7:30pm, and will be followed by our usual afterparty. Light dinner and beverages will be served. Free parking.
The group's objectives are to accelerate the success of scalable startups that are led by veteran founders in the Puget Sound region, through a combination of events and resources. The monthly meetings (held every 1st Wednesday of the month) are of course an enormous networking opportunity for founders to meet other founders, but also angel and venture capital investors who want to support their business aspirations.
In partnership with Venture Mechanics, members can also access a vast network of mentors, workshops, startup bootcamps, incubator and coworking options, and access to equity and non-dilutive funding sources.
Keynote Speaker:
Josh Carter, Founding General Partner, Founders First Fund
Josh Carter is a Program Manager at National Security Innovation Network, a Department of Defense program office that seeks to advance the development of new dual-use ventures. He is a US Navy Vet with over 20 years of experience in telecom, software, and entrepreneurship. He is passionate about supporting founders working on transformative solutions for both government and commercial customers.
Josh has co-founded and led multiple startups, including BrightWork, a developer infrastructure company that participated in Techstars and secured venture funding. He also served as the interim CEO and COO of Patriot Boot Camp, a Techstars-affiliated non-profit that empowers veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs. He is a speaker, a podcast host, and a mentor for early-stage startups, as well as the founder of Coffee w/ Co-Founders, a monthly meetup for founders in the area. He has expertise in networking, operations, and technical support, and has worked on projects for companies like Disney, Pabst Blue Ribbon, and Taco Bell. Josh enjoys hiking and kayaking with his family when he is not at local meetups and events.
The keynote will be followed by presentations from veteran founder-led startups, including:
More pitch slots are available. Send us a message if you are interested in pitching your startup venture.
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