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§ Venture Capital · Knoxville, TN, USA
Key people at Veteran Ventures Capital.
Veteran Ventures Capital operates as a veteran-owned growth equity firm, investing in dual-use national security technology companies. It backs veteran-led enterprises, leveraging their operational discipline and resilience to address complex commercial and defense challenges. The firm's strategy targets technology with applications across both military and civilian sectors.
Derren Burrell and Mason Rice founded Veteran Ventures Capital in 2019, recognizing that veteran entrepreneurs possess unique leadership vital for advanced technology development. Burrell, the Managing Partner, and Rice, the Chief Technology Strategist, sought to empower these leaders to innovate in critical national security sectors by providing strategic capital.
The firm supports veteran-led companies developing advanced dual-use technologies for national security. Veteran Ventures Capital envisions empowering these innovators to strengthen tomorrow's defense through critical advancements, simultaneously generating robust returns. Their mission involves deploying strategic capital to scale ventures, affirming capable teams addressing crucial problems achieve success via focused execution.
Key people at Veteran Ventures Capital.
Veteran Ventures Capital (VVC) is a veteran-owned venture capital firm dedicated to investing in veteran-led startups, primarily focusing on dual-use national security technology companies. Their mission centers on empowering military veterans in entrepreneurship by providing not only capital but also mentorship and strategic resources to help these companies scale and succeed. VVC targets early-stage to growth-stage investments, typically ranging from $100,000 to $1 million, in sectors such as cybersecurity, aerospace, advanced sensing, robotics, artificial intelligence, and manufacturing. By supporting veteran entrepreneurs, VVC plays a crucial role in fostering innovation within the military and national security startup ecosystem, driving both commercial and defense technology advancements[1][2][3][4].
Founded in 2017 and headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Veteran Ventures Capital was established by seasoned entrepreneurs and military veterans with extensive experience in defense, business development, and venture capital. The founding team includes Derren Burrell (Founder and Managing Partner), Craig Jaques (General Partner and COO), and Dr. Josh Weed (Senior Director and General Partner), among others. The firm evolved to focus exclusively on veteran-led companies at the intersection of national security and commercial technology, leveraging their deep operational and strategic expertise to identify and scale mission-critical dual-use technologies. Their proximity to the Department of Defense and defense policy hubs enhances their ability to source and support relevant startups[3][6].
VVC rides the growing trend of dual-use technologies that serve both commercial and national security markets, a sector gaining momentum due to increasing defense budgets and technological innovation demands. The timing aligns with heightened government interest in securing supply chains, advancing autonomous systems, and integrating AI into defense operations. Market forces such as increased non-dilutive government funding and policy support favor veteran-led startups with operational discipline and mission focus. VVC influences the ecosystem by bridging military experience with venture capital, accelerating the commercialization of frontier technologies critical to U.S. and allied security[3][4].
Veteran Ventures Capital is poised to expand its influence as national security technology continues to evolve rapidly. With Fund II’s oversubscription and a growing portfolio, VVC is well-positioned to capitalize on increasing government and commercial demand for dual-use innovations. Future trends shaping their journey include advancements in AI, robotics, quantum sensing, and cybersecurity, alongside sustained defense spending. Their unique veteran-centric approach will likely deepen, further solidifying their role as a catalyst for veteran entrepreneurship and national security innovation. As they scale, VVC’s impact on both the startup ecosystem and defense technology landscape is expected to grow, reinforcing their mission to empower veterans and secure tomorrow’s defense[3][4].
Veteran Ventures Capital has 1 tracked investment across 1 company. The latest tracked deal is $24.0M Series B in Asylon in July 2025.
| Date | Company | Round | Lead Investor(s) | Co-Investor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 1, 2025 | Asylon | $24.0M Series B | Mike Hayes, Insight Partners | Alumni Ventures, Hyperplane Venture Capital, Robert Prostko, GO Philly Fund |
