Venture Forum to Provide Military Veteran Entrepreneurs a Platform to Meet Investors


The first-ever Veterans Venture Forum, an initiative of the National Defense University (NDU) Foundation to promote investment in new and early-stage businesses started by America’s military veterans, was announced today by NDU Foundation President Cathleen Pearl.

The Veterans Venture Forum Capstone Demo Day, will take place on Tuesday, October 29, 2013 from 8:30 AM — 6:30 PM at Fort McNair in Washington, DC.

The NDU Foundation has created the Veterans Venture Forum and will be hosting Capstone Demo Day in partnership with The Angel Venture Forum, an ad hoc group of more than 30 active, experienced angel investors from more than 24 angel investor groups located throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.  More than 80 different angel and early-stage investment groups, representing approximately $1 billion in investable wealth, are expected to participate.

At the Veterans Venture Forum Capstone Demo Day on October 29, approximately 20 veteran entrepreneurs selected from applications, will have 15 minutes to pitch their companies to investors.  Leading up to this culminating event, the NDU Foundation, in partnership with The Angel Venture Forum, will conduct the NDU Foundation Boot Camp for Entrepreneurs, a series of training and informal education sessions beginning at Fort McNair on the evening of Thursday, August 8 and continuing bi-weekly for three months.

The purpose of these non-mandatory start-up boot camp sessions is to help military veterans who aspire to be entrepreneurs develop better business plans, understand the challenges and recognize opportunities associated with start-up ventures, and gain a keener understanding of and prepare for the investment process.  Specific tutorials will be given on funding, financials, leadership (including how to leverage contacts through Board of Directors and Advisors), term sheets, intellectual property, and valuations.

Our goal is to give military veterans an opportunity to meet directly with experienced investors and pitch their business plans,” said Ms. Pearl.  “Veterans have a unique set of skills and discipline, and the NDU Foundation is pleased to provide those with the passion and desire to start a business the chance to present their plans to a large group of seasoned angel and early-stage investors.”

Ms. Pearl added: “Not only does the National Defense University community embrace innovation — its students, faculty, staff members, and alumni inspire innovation each and every day.

Military veterans ready to take their ideas from concept to reality, and who have launched or want to launch a successful start-up or business venture may register here for the Veterans Venture Forum and the NDU Foundation Boot Camp for Entrepreneurs.  NDU Foundation Sponsorship inquiries should be directed to Katie Griffin Hand, NDU Foundation Vice President for Special Projects at 202-685-2528 or via e-mail at Katie@nduf.org.

 


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