# 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, 15 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): 15 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 - [Agile Space Industries](https://veteranventures.us/portfolio/agile-space-industries) - [Turion Space](https://veteranventures.us/portfolio/turion-space) - [Vatn Systems](https://veteranventures.us/portfolio/vatn-systems) - [Asylon Robotics](https://veteranventures.us/portfolio/asylon-robotics) - [Cambium](https://veteranventures.us/portfolio/cambium) - [Hidden Level](https://veteranventures.us/portfolio/hidden-level) - [Dot Ai](https://veteranventures.us/portfolio/dot-ai) - [Phase Four](https://veteranventures.us/portfolio/phase-four) - [Grist Mill Exchange](https://veteranventures.us/portfolio/grist-mill-exchange) - [Vantage Robotics](https://veteranventures.us/portfolio/vantage-robotics) - [Nvts](https://veteranventures.us/portfolio/nvts) - [Tidal Cyber](https://veteranventures.us/portfolio/tidal-cyber) - [Havenlock](https://veteranventures.us/portfolio/havenlock) - [Silent Arrow](https://veteranventures.us/portfolio/silent-arrow) - [Veritx](https://veteranventures.us/portfolio/veritx) ## 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 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) - [Cambium Quadruples U.S. Manufacturing Platform in North Carolina](https://veteranventures.us/news/cambium-quadruples-us-manufacturing-platform-in-north-carolina) (Jul 22, 2026) - [Vatn Systems Launches SIGURD Autonomous Mine Countermeasure System](https://veteranventures.us/news/vatn-systems-launches-sigurd-autonomous-mine-countermeasure-system) (Jul 20, 2026) - [Cambium Launches SentinelOps Platform for Laser Eye Protection and Directed-Energy Defense](https://veteranventures.us/news/cambium-launches-sentinelops-laser-eye-protection-platform) (Jul 18, 2026) - [Grist Mill Exchange Selected for NATO DIANA Decision Superiority Challenge](https://veteranventures.us/news/grist-mill-exchange-nato-diana-decision-superiority-challenge) (Jul 15, 2026) - [Turion Space's DROID-002 Makes History at Exercise SALITRE 2026](https://veteranventures.us/news/turion-space-droid-002-salitre-2026-coalition-exercise) (Jul 13, 2026) - [Asylon Awarded Phase III U.S. Air Force Contract for Autonomous Aircraft Inspection](https://veteranventures.us/news/asylon-awarded-phase-iii-us-air-force-aircraft-inspection-contract) (Jul 9, 2026) - [Turion Space Recognized as Space-Based Interceptor Performer - Turion Space](https://veteranventures.us/news/turion-space-recognized-as-space-based-interceptor-performer-turion-space) (Jun 1, 2026) - [The Pentagon Is Becoming a Capital Allocator and Dual-Use Founders Need to Adapt](https://veteranventures.us/news/the-pentagon-is-becoming-a-capital-allocator-and-dual-use-founders-need-to-adapt) (May 26, 2026) ## Key Facts - Founded: 2018 - AUM: $100M+ - Funds: 2 (Fund I, Fund II — oversubscribed) - Portfolio: 15 active companies, 2 exits - Non-Dilutive Capital: $240M+ 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)