Veteran Ventures Capital
Venture capitalMcLean · Seed–Series A · 5 people tracked
Investment thesis
Veteran Ventures Capital invests in and supports veteran entrepreneurs building defense and dual-use technologies. The firm's thesis centers on the belief that veterans are exceptionally capable operators who are systematically overlooked by traditional venture capital, despite a large and growing defense-tech market with built-in government demand. VVC targets companies addressing critical national security needs across areas such as space, cyber, autonomy, and advanced materials. Beyond capital, the firm offers hands-on operator support, embedding with portfolio companies on business development, contract capture, and program-of-record positioning, and providing direct access to DoD program managers, acquisition offices, and end users to accelerate the path from demonstration to acquisition.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.
Team · 5 people
from public directoriesWhat they invest in
from 14 of 16 portfolio companiesHardware ×7Defense Tech ×6Cybersecurity ×4Robotics ×4Deep Tech ×3GovTech ×3IoT ×3Advanced Manufacturing ×2
HQs:United States×9
Investments · 16 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathAgile Space Industries manufactures in-space chemical propulsion systems including thrusters and rocket engines for satellite and spacecraft operations.
Deep TechDefense TechHardwareSpace TechDurango, US
David Cuthbertson(COO)Chris Pearson(CEO)William Francis(CCO)Kris Schaa(CFO)Kristin Schaa(Executive Officer)Jeffrey A. Max(Executive Officer, Director)
Asylon provides a robotic security system combining autonomous drones (DroneDog), ground robots (Guardian), and a Robotic Security Operations Center (RSOC) for live-monitored patrols, threat detection, and response.
AI & Machine LearningCybersecurityRobotics
Grist Mill Exchange is a data marketplace that connects government and federal teams with vetted commercial data providers through standardized terms of use, letting users search, compare, and acquire datasets and deliver them into existing applications.
B2B MarketplacesDefense TechGovTech
Haven makes Gen4, a commercial access control system with a built-in emergency lockdown mode, sold as a single edge-based door device that replaces maglocks and electric strikes and installs faster than traditional systems.
CybersecurityHardwareIoT
Hidden Level develops advanced RF (radio frequency) sensing technology for defense, aviation, and intelligence applications.
Data & InfrastructureDeep TechDefense TechGovTechHardwareSyracuse, US
Jeffrey A. Cole(Executive Officer, Director)Brad Garber(Executive Officer)Gary Dominicos(Executive Officer)Tim Graham(Executive Officer)Mike Goll(Executive Officer)Gary S. Dominicos(Executive Officer, Director)
Hybron manufactures composites using proprietary technology, positioning itself as a U.S.-based alternative to overseas production.
Advanced ManufacturingNew Materials
Night Vision Technology Solutions (NVTS) designs EO/IR infrared thermal ISR camera systems for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and situational awareness.
Defense TechGovTechHardware
Hawthorne, US
STEPHEN KISER(Executive Officer, Director)Simon Halpern(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardStewart Alsop(Director)THOMAS J.A. LAVIN(Director)JAMES BRIDENSTINE(Director)
Silent Arrow builds autonomous cargo aircraft for contested logistics, supplying the U.S. military and partner nations.
Defense TechLogistics & Supply ChainRobotics
Turion builds space infrastructure including vehicles, mission software, and payloads for tactical space operations, orbital logistics, and space domain awareness.
Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechHardwareSpace TechLos Angeles, US
Ryan Westerdahl(Founder)inTyler James Pierce(Founder)inPatryk Wiatr(Founder)in
Vantage Robotics develops flying camera drones, focusing on safety and performance.
HardwareIoTRoboticsSan Francisco, US
Tobin Fisher(Executive Officer, Director)
Vatn builds autonomous underwater vehicles and systems for underwater operations including surveillance, mine countermeasures, and payload delivery in GPS-denied environments.
Defense TechHardwareRoboticsPortsmouth, US
BoardThomas Hendrix(Director)Geoffrey Manchester(Director)Thomas Hennessey(Director)Nelson Mills(Executive Officer, Director)Frederick Mills(Director)
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesTidal · esgtoday.com · May 29, 2026
Hybron · latimes.com · May 21, 2026
Turion Space · spacewatch.global · Apr 17, 2026
Agile Space Industries · durangoherald.com · Feb 23, 2026
Vatn Systems · thedefensepost.com · Dec 17, 2025
Frequently asked questions
- What stage does Veteran Ventures Capital invest at?
- Veteran Ventures Capital invests at the Seed, Series A stages.
- What is Veteran Ventures Capital's typical check size?
- Veteran Ventures Capital typically writes checks of $50K – $250K.
- What sectors does Veteran Ventures Capital focus on?
- Veteran Ventures Capital focuses on Cybersecurity, Data & Infrastructure, Deep Tech, Defense Tech, Enterprise Software, Hardware, New Materials, Robotics, SaaS, Space Tech.
- Where is Veteran Ventures Capital located?
- Veteran Ventures Capital is headquartered in McLean, US.
- Does Veteran Ventures Capital lead rounds?
- Veteran Ventures Capital typically participates in rounds rather than leading them.
Media · Podcasts & interviews
featuring the teamInvestor Connect - 754 - Derren Burrell of Veteran Ventures Capital
Hall Martin · Derren Burrell
Derren Burrell - Air Force Veteran, Founder Veteran Ventures Capital
VeteranCrowd · Derren Burrell
Veteran Ventures Capital's Founder Derren Burrell
Family Office Insights US · Derren Burrell
Aspiring VC #20: Derren Burrell (Veteran Ventures Capital)
MassVentures · Derren Burrell
Long Live the Veteran Brotherhood with Derren Burrell - Air Force - Veteran Ventures Capital, LLC
Bottle Breacher · Derren Burrell
Images
Co-investors · 1
Hyperplane is a venture capital firm that writes first checks into early-stage companies applying AI to industry workflows, infrastructure, and the physical world.
Firms observed investing alongside Veteran Ventures Capital, from public investor directories. Shared companies are the overlap with Veteran Ventures Capital's recorded portfolio.
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