How we work with founders.
VVC is a thesis-driven fund. We back elite veteran-led teams building dual-use technologies vital to U.S. national security. Here is what working with us looks like — stage, process, and what happens after we write the check.
Who we back and at what stage.
We invest in the most promising U.S.-based, veteran-affiliated, post-revenue dual-use technology companies focused on national security and defense sectors.
Stage & Check Size
- Seed through Series A/B
- Post-revenue: minimum $1M ARR (often much higher)
- Average first-round investment: $2M–$3M
- Capital reserved for follow-on rounds
What We Mean by Veteran-Led
- Entrepreneurs who served in the U.S. military
- Leadership that directs both strategic and tactical decisions
- Board-only involvement is not sufficient
- Veterans in senior leadership roles directing strategy and operations
Sector Focus
- Dual-use national security technology
- Space & Propulsion, Autonomy & Robotics
- Cybersecurity & AI, ISR & Sensing
- Data & Intelligence, Advanced Materials
What diligence looks like.
We are thesis-driven and move with purpose. Here is the path from first conversation to term sheet.
Introduction
We typically engage through trusted referrals, direct outreach, and relationships within the veteran and defense innovation ecosystems. We also proactively seek out companies that match our criteria.
Initial Review
Our dealflow committee evaluates alignment with our thesis: team experience, technology defensibility, market opportunity, and government/commercial traction.
Deep Diligence
Technical assessment, financial model review, customer reference calls, competitive landscape analysis, and regulatory/compliance evaluation.
Investment Committee
Full partnership review with structured recommendation. Our IC includes operators with direct experience in the sectors we invest in.
Term Sheet & Close
Clean, founder-friendly terms. We move quickly once conviction is established — we understand the pace of defense tech.
Typical timeline: 12+ weeks from introduction to close
What post-investment support includes.
We are very hands-on investors. Our partners have operated in the environments our companies sell into — we understand the mission, the end user, and the procurement landscape firsthand.
BD Strategy & Contract Capture
We embed with portfolio companies on business development strategy, helping position for defense contracts, SBIR/STTR awards, and program-of-record opportunities.
DoD Introductions
Direct introductions to program managers, acquisition offices, and end users across the Department of Defense and intelligence community — accelerating the path from demo to contract.
Non-Dilutive Capital Access
Our #1 value-add: helping portfolio companies access non-dilutive government funding programs. We have relationships across AFWERX, DIU, DARPA, and other DoD innovation offices.
Regulatory Navigation
Deep familiarity with DoD acquisition processes and ongoing reform efforts. We help companies navigate Pentagon procurement complexity and accelerate transition opportunities.
Board Involvement
We take board seats or observer roles and participate actively — not as passive capital, but as operators who understand the mission, the end user, and the procurement landscape.
Scaling Support
Mentorship, strategic introductions, talent acquisition guidance, and connections to military and defense networks to accelerate from prototype to production.
What we look for in a team.
Our thesis is simple: the right teams, solving the right problems, in markets where execution wins.
Military Leadership
Founders with direct military or intelligence community experience who bring operational discipline, security clearances, and DoD relationships.
Proven Traction
Post-revenue companies with demonstrated product-market fit — minimum $1M ARR with clear path to scale in both defense and commercial markets.
Dual-Use Technology
Technology that serves both military defense and commercial applications, creating diversified revenue and stronger exit multiples.
Government Engagement
Existing or credible path to government contracts, SBIR/STTR awards, or DoD program-of-record positioning.
Ready to talk?
We work most effectively with founders whose companies clearly align with our investment focus. If you believe your company is a fit, we encourage you to seek an introduction through a mutual connection, ecosystem partner, or portfolio company — or reach out directly.
Due to volume, we are unable to respond to every inquiry when the opportunity is not deemed a fit by the dealflow committee. When there is a strong fit, we will gladly engage and bring the opportunity into our internal review process.
This site is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. Any such offer will be made only by means of a confidential private placement memorandum.