Derren Burrell
InvestorManaging Partner at Veteran Ventures Capital
Knoxville, Tennessee
Writes $2M – $3M checks · typically $1M
About
Derren Burrell, an Air Force officer, applies military principles—Discipline, Integrity, Excellence—to veteran founders in dual-use and national security tech, leveraging decades of defense experience to navigate government ecosystems.
Invests in
CybersecurityDeep TechDefense TechHardwareRoboticsSpace Tech
Experience
- Veteran Ventures CapitalFounder and Managing Partnercurrent2018 — presentMcLean, VA
- True VictoryPrincipal & Chief Financial Officercurrent2015 — present
- George W. Bush Presidential CenterStand-To Veteran Leadership Program Scholar2021
- TAG Resources, LLCChief Operating Officer2015 — 2019Knoxville, Tennessee Area
- White House Communications AgencyResource Director2012 — 2015Washington, DC
- NATO Training Mission - AfghanistanResource Director, NATO Air Training Command - Afghanistan2011 — 2012Kabul, Afghanistan
- United States Department of DefenseDeputy Director of Resources, United States Forces- Iraq (USF-I)2011Baghdad, Iraq
- United States Air ForceHeadquarters Air Combat Command Financial Management Directorate2010 — 2011Joint Base Langley-Eustis Air Base, VA
- United States Air ForceComptroller Commander/CFO2007 — 2010Aviano Air Base, Italy
- United States Air ForceIntermediate Development Student/Cost Analysis2005 — 2007Air Force Institute of Technology
- United States Air ForceExecutive Officer, Air Force Budget2004 — 2005Pentagon
- United States Air ForceCFO, Air Force Flying Operations2003 — 2004Pentagon
- USAFFinance Officer2001 — 2003MacDill Air Force Base, FL
- USAFBudget Officer1997 — 2000RAF Lakenheath, UK
Education
- The CitadelBachelors, Business Administration1990 — 1994
- U.S. Air Force Institute of TechnologyMasters, Cost Analysis2005 — 2007
- Central Michigan UniversityMasters, Human Resources1994 — 1996
- Air War CollegeMaster's degree, Professional Military Education Global Security / National Policy2010 — 2011
Skills & more
Program Management93Strategic Planning76Venture CapitalFinancial Management20Business Development11Financial Reporting19Regulatory Compliance10Managerial Finance21Analysis30Contract Management13Human Resources9Operational Planning15
+12 more
BudgetsAdministrationDoDAccountingMilitaryDefenseCommandGovernmentIntelligenceStrategyLeadershipManagement- Honored Inductee — Marquis Who's Who
- Accredited Investment Fiduciary — Fi360 (now Broadridge)
- Black Belt Tae Kwon Do
- OSD Financial Management Certification Program Level 3 — OSD
- Certified Defense Financial Manager — American Society of Military Comptrollers
From Derren's professional profile.
Same school
Also attended The Citadel6
Also attended U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology4
Also attended Central Michigan University10
Doug NealManaging Director at eLab VenturesNathan OwenGeneral Partner at Grand VenturesGreg HodgsonFormer Senior Director at the Boeing Company at NEW VISTA CAPITALMark McPeakVP of Manufacturing at Siddhi CapitalJeff WesleyExecutive Director at Michigan RiseCalvin VanderWalVenture Associate at Michigan Rise
+ 4 more
Shared employers
Also worked at White House Communications Agency1
Also worked at NATO Training Mission - Afghanistan6
Kristina VulganCo-Founder & Managing Partner at Ferocity CapitalThomas L. WoodDirector at CleansparkTiina Laisi-PuheloinenInvestor at FiBANEnes UsluManager, ITU Cekirdek Sectoral Programs & Investor Relations at ITU CekirdekTony DeMartinoPartner at Pallas VenturesSophia Habsburg-LothringenInvestor at Expeditions
Also worked at United States Department of Defense60
Edi DanalacheSenior Associate at Scale Venture PartnersRichard ClarkeInvestor at IVP (Institutional Venture Partners)Tidal McCoyChairman at IronGate Capital AdvisorsForrest UnderwoodVenture Partner at IronGate Capital AdvisorsGlenn VogelVenture Partner at IronGate Capital AdvisorsDavid WhittakerVenture Partner at Elm Street Ventures
+ 54 more
Also worked at United States Air Force80
Dave MunichielloInvestor at GV (Google Ventures)Ross Perot Jr.Chairman of The Perot Group at Perot JainNathaniel HardingManaging Partner at Cortado VenturesTidal McCoyChairman at IronGate Capital AdvisorsSteve SargeantSenior Advisory Board at IronGate Capital AdvisorsForrest UnderwoodVenture Partner at IronGate Capital Advisors
+ 74 more
Colleagues at Veteran Ventures Capital
Network1
Investors connected to Derren in public investor directories — a warm-intro map.































