# Veteran Ventures Capital > Veteran-owned defense tech venture capital firm investing in dual-use national security technology companies led by veterans. $100M+ AUM across 2 funds, 17 active portfolio companies spanning space, autonomy, cybersecurity, ISR, advanced materials, and data intelligence. Based in McLean, VA. ## About - [Investment Thesis](https://veteranventures.us/thesis): Our conviction — why veteran-led dual-use tech companies outperform in the current defense spending environment. - [Portfolio Companies](https://veteranventures.us/portfolio): 17 active companies across space, autonomy, cybersecurity, ISR, data intelligence, and advanced materials. - [Leadership Team](https://veteranventures.us/team): 5 General Partners with 89+ years combined defense experience, 2 PhDs, service across 15+ countries. - [For Founders](https://veteranventures.us/founders): What we look for in founders and how to pitch VVC. - [For Investors](https://veteranventures.us/investors): LP information and fund performance. - [News & Insights](https://veteranventures.us/news): Defense tech market analysis, portfolio updates, and thought leadership. - [Contact](https://veteranventures.us/contact): Reach our team at investorrelations@veteranventures.us ## Portfolio Companies - [Vatn Systems](https://veteranventures.us/portfolio/vatn-systems) - [Hidden Level](https://veteranventures.us/portfolio/hidden-level) - [Cambium](https://veteranventures.us/portfolio/cambium) - [Agile Space Industries](https://veteranventures.us/portfolio/agile-space-industries) - [Asylon Robotics](https://veteranventures.us/portfolio/asylon-robotics) - [NVTS](https://veteranventures.us/portfolio/nvts) - [Hybron Technologies](https://veteranventures.us/portfolio/hybron) - [Turion Space](https://veteranventures.us/portfolio/turion-space) - [Tidal Cyber](https://veteranventures.us/portfolio/tidal-cyber) - [Grist Mill Exchange](https://veteranventures.us/portfolio/grist-mill-exchange) - [Havenlock](https://veteranventures.us/portfolio/havenlock) - [Phase Four](https://veteranventures.us/portfolio/phase-four) - [Vantage Robotics](https://veteranventures.us/portfolio/vantage-robotics) - [Silent Arrow](https://veteranventures.us/portfolio/silent-arrow) - [Dot AI](https://veteranventures.us/portfolio/dot-ai) - [VeritX](https://veteranventures.us/portfolio/veritx) - [Radian Forge](https://veteranventures.us/portfolio/radian-forge) ## Leadership Team ### Derren Burrell — Founder & Managing Partner Retired USAF Lieutenant Colonel with 21 years of service and 30+ years of financial management experience. Former Resource Director for the White House Communications Agency. Led financial directorates responsible for $20B+ in appropriated funding across Iraq and Afghanistan. Previously COO of TAG Resources ($2B AUM), generating 5x return for shareholders. Graduate of The Citadel. Accredited Investment Fiduciary, Certified Defense Financial Manager, 2025 Entrepreneur of the Year (U.S. Forces in Business Awards). - [Full Bio](https://veteranventures.us/team/derren-burrell) ### Josh Weed, PhD — Managing Partner & CFO Retired USAF financial management officer with 10 years active duty. Former COO of Stewart & Stevenson, leading the company's $752M sale to Kirby Corporation (NYSE: KEX). Managed $32B Operations & Maintenance portfolio at HQ Air Force (Pentagon). Led budget operations across Air Force Command in Europe and Africa ($2B budget). PhD in Policy Analysis from RAND Graduate School. Distinguished Graduate of the United States Air Force Academy (Economics & Operations Research). - [Full Bio](https://veteranventures.us/team/josh-weed) ### Steve Kiser, PhD — General Partner Retired USAF Lieutenant Colonel with 20 years of service. Chairs VVC's dealflow committee. Former VP of Engineering & Analysis at Valiant Integrated Services ($400M pipeline). Senior roles at Cubic Global Defense (2011-2018). Special advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. First investor in a pre-revenue company that IPO'd with peak valuation exceeding $1.5B. PhD in Policy Analysis from RAND Graduate School. USAF Academy graduate. Recipient of Defense Superior Service Medal and Bronze Star. - [Full Bio](https://veteranventures.us/team/steve-kiser) ### Craig Jaques — General Partner & COO General Partner and Chief Operating Officer. Background spans defense technology, international expansion, and humanitarian operations. Managed $3.5B+ business development pipelines. Former roles at CTI (acquired by Parsons) supporting electronic warfare, signals intelligence, and C2 software for SOCOM and INDOPACOM. Led U.S. operations at Aspen Medical. Career began with Project HOPE leading humanitarian missions across 20+ countries aboard USNS Mercy, USNS Comfort, and USS Boxer. Holds active Top Secret clearance. Nearly two decades based in the Indo-Pacific theater. - [Full Bio](https://veteranventures.us/team/craig-jaques) ### Paul Woolard — General Partner & Director of Engagement VP of Finance/Risk Management at Eco-Energy, LLC (ethanol and natural gas marketing/trading). 30 years in global agriculture and energy investing. 20 years in senior finance, innovation, M&A, and business development at Archer Daniels Midland (Fortune 50) and Tate & Lyle. CPA, CGMA, CertICM. MBA from Harding University. - [Full Bio](https://veteranventures.us/team/paul-woolard) ## Recent News & Insights - [The Forty-Two-Day Ship](https://veteranventures.us/news/the-forty-two-day-ship) (Sep 15, 2026) - [Veteran Ventures Capital Leads $2.5 Million Seed Round in Radian Forge to Strengthen America’s Maritime Industrial Base](https://veteranventures.us/news/veteran-ventures-capital-leads-radian-forge-seed-round) (Sep 15, 2026) - [Agile Space Industries Selected for SpaceWERX STRATFI and Doubles Its Durango Manufacturing Footprint](https://veteranventures.us/news/agile-space-industries-stratfi-durango-expansion) (Aug 26, 2026) - [Turion Space Joins Parsons Team on $981 Million Space Force NITE-STAR Contract and Clears First Space-Based Interceptor Gate](https://veteranventures.us/news/turion-space-parsons-nite-star-sbi-gate-one) (Aug 26, 2026) - [Cambium Appoints Rick Dunn, Former Satellogic CFO, as Chief Financial Officer](https://veteranventures.us/news/cambium-appoints-rick-dunn-chief-financial-officer) (Aug 25, 2026) - [U.S. Army Selects Vantage Robotics' Vesper to Advance in the Short Range Reconnaissance Program](https://veteranventures.us/news/army-selects-vantage-robotics-vesper-short-range-reconnaissance) (Aug 14, 2026) - [Hidden Level Joins the IQT Portfolio](https://veteranventures.us/news/hidden-level-joins-the-iqt-portfolio) (Aug 13, 2026) - [Vatn Systems and Taiwan's NCSIST Sign Agreement to Explore Undersea Autonomy for Maritime Defense](https://veteranventures.us/news/vatn-systems-ncsist-agreement-undersea-autonomy) (Aug 11, 2026) - [The Full Cycle: From Niche Markets to Harvest](https://veteranventures.us/news/the-full-cycle-from-niche-markets-to-harvest) (Aug 4, 2026) - [Department of War Awards Hidden Level $100 Million OTA to Scale Passive Sensing Technology](https://veteranventures.us/news/department-of-war-awards-hidden-level-100-million-ota) (Jul 30, 2026) ## Key Facts - Founded: 2018 - AUM: $100M+ - Funds: 2 (Fund I, Fund II — oversubscribed) - Portfolio: 17 active companies, 2 exits - Non-Dilutive Capital: $250M+ secured for portfolio companies - Focus: Dual-use national security technology - Sectors: Space & Propulsion, Autonomy & Robotics, Cybersecurity & AI, ISR & Sensing, Data & Intelligence, Advanced Materials - Leadership: 100% veteran-led - HQ: 1640 Boro Place, 4th Floor, McLean, VA 22102 - Email: investorrelations@veteranventures.us ## Optional - [Privacy Policy](https://veteranventures.us/privacy) - [Terms of Service](https://veteranventures.us/terms) - [Sources & Research](https://veteranventures.us/sources)