About
Mike Steadman is a Marine Corps veteran and 2010 U.S. Naval Academy graduate who works as a business coach for military veteran founders and other "underdogs and misfits." He describes reading over 500 business books and spending more than $100,000 on coaching, then channeling that into one-on-one and group coaching packages focused on clarity, focus, and executive discipline. He co-authored "Black Veteran Entrepreneur: Validate Your Business Model, Build Your Brand, and Step Into Your Greatness" with Alana Abernethy. He also founded IRONBOUND Boxing, a veteran-run New Jersey gym that mentors city youth, and has been featured in Men's Health, Muscle & Fitness, and Fox News.
Invests in
AI & Machine LearningConsumerDefense TechFintechImpact & Social Good
Beyond investing
- Founded
- Founded IRONBOUND Boxing, a veteran-run New Jersey gym that helps city youth.
- Education
- Graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2010.
- Awards
- Co-authored the book 'Black Veteran Entrepreneur: Validate Your Business Model, Build Your Brand, and Step Into Your Greatness' with Alana Abernethy.
- Hobbies
- Is a boxing champion and coach.
- More
- Served as a Marine Corps veteran.
From Mike's own website — common ground for a warm intro.
Experience
- OP4Category Whisperercurrent2024 — presentNew York City Metropolitan Area
- VetraFiAdvisorcurrent2025 — presentNew York, United States
- Thrival EnergyAdvisorcurrent2025 — presentNew York, United States
- Hoover Institution, Stanford UniversityPodcast Hostcurrent2025 — presentNew York, United States
- Hoover Institution, Stanford UniversityHoover Veteran Fellow, Inaugural Classcurrent2021 — presentNewark, New Jersey, United States
- The SlapEditor in Chiefcurrent2024 — presentNew York, United States
- Dope Coffee CompanyAdvisor & Brand Strategistcurrent2019 — presentGreater Atlanta Area
- GI Go FundEntrepreneur In Residencecurrent2019 — presentUnited States
- Context VCVenture Partner2025 — 2026
- IRONBOUND BoxingWartime CEO2016 — 2025Newark, NJ
- Bunker LabsHost of "The Transition" Podcast2020 — 2024Newark, New Jersey, United States
- Iona UniversityBusiness Advisor2023 — 2024New Rochelle, New York, United States
- IRONBOUND MediaChief MisFit2020 — 2024Newark, New Jersey, United States
- Creator InstituteAuthor of "Black Veteran Entrepreneur " (Available on Amazon)2021 — 2022Newark, New Jersey, United States
- Gifted Sounds NetworkHost of "Confessions of A Native Son"2020 — 2022Newark, New Jersey, United States
- WeWorkConsultant2018 — 2019New York City Metropolitan Area
- Bunker Labs New York CityCity Leader2017 — 2018New York City Metropolitan Area
- St. Benedict's Prep SchoolLeahy House Director/Head Boxing Coach2015 — 2018Newark, NJ
- Fighting Mojo LLCFounder and CEO2012 — 2015
- Weapons Company, 1st Battalion 8th MarinesCombined Anti-Armor Team Platoon Commander2014 — 2015Camp Lejeune, NC
Education
- United States Naval AcademyBachelor of Science (B.S.), The Sweet Science2006 — 2010
- Stanford University Graduate School of BusinessStanford Ignite, Certificate Program in Innovation and Entrepreneurship 20172017
- Rutgers Graduate School - NewarkM.A. in American Studies, Public/Applied History2016 — 2020
- Bryan High School2001 — 2005
Skills & more
Endurance17Leadership83Early Stage Investment1Start-up Ventures1Marketing5Branding7Business Coaching4Business Strategy3Physical Security15Entrepreneurship37Sports Coaching15Coaching20
+12 more
Hand to Hand CombatSelf DefenseCombatSecurity ClearanceFitnessBoxingWeight TrainingLeadership DevelopmentAfghanistanSportsNavyMilitary ExperienceLanguages English
- Prof G Certified Brand Strategist — Section
From Mike's professional profile.
Same school
Also attended United States Naval Academy59
Chad L. SummeBoard Member at CincyTechTony WellsVenture Partner at Copper Sky CapitalJohn DillonInvestor at Alsop Louie PartnersJustin FreehVenture Partner at IronGate Capital AdvisorsDavid WhittakerVenture Partner at Elm Street VenturesRobAdvisor at TFX Capital
+ 53 more
Also attended Stanford University Graduate School of Business1,187
Roelof BothaAdvisor & former Steward at Sequoia Capital; SpaceX board memberPeter FentonGeneral Partner at BenchmarkSteve JurvetsonCo-founder of Future VenturesDavid SzeAdvisory Partner at GreylockKatherine BoyleGeneral Partner at Andreessen Horowitz (American Dynamism)Hunter WalkCo-founder & Partner at Homebrew
+ 1,181 more
Shared employers
Also worked at VetraFi2
Also worked at Marine Corps Sports32
Tony WellsVenture Partner at Copper Sky CapitalBeau HigginsVP (OPlign), Senior Client Partner (The Military Veteran) at Context VenturesGlenn VogelVenture Partner at IronGate Capital AdvisorsBrian CarbaughCo-Founder & CEO, Andesite; Senior Advisor, Cyber & National Security at Red Cell IncubationKevin CogginsInvestor at Green FlagDean RobisonInvestor at EPIC VENTURES
+ 26 more
Podcasts & interviews
featuring Mike SteadmanIronbound Boxing: EP1 Trailer
IRONBOUND Boxing: Fox News Interview 2019
Colleagues at Context Ventures
Beau Higgins
VP (OPlign), Senior Client Partner (The Military Veteran) at Context Ventures
Ben Faw
Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Context Ventures
Camden Snowden
Associate at Context Ventures
Carina Cho
Associate at Context Ventures
Helen King
Chief of Staff at Context Ventures
LeSean Brown
Associate at Context Ventures
Tim Hsia
Founder at Context Ventures
Warren Cheng
Venture Partner at Context Ventures