Context VC

At the Fireside Leadership Chat during MVS24, Tom Davin (United States Marine Corps), former CEO of Black Rifle Coffee Company, shared game-changing advice on how leaders can transform the hiring process: 🚫 “Don’t make me the last one to interview,” Why? “Because if I come at the end of the line and everybody else is like, ‘This is a great person, let's go, boss,’👍 and you say 👎 no-go, everybody's wasting a lot of time. So I say, ‘Put me in the middle of the process,’ that way if I'm going to veto somebody, it's more of a learning experience without wasting a lot of time. But the minute you as a leader say ‘I have to interview everybody,’ that changes the whole process and elevates it.” This thoughtful approach ensures time isn’t wasted and creates a learning opportunity for the entire team. Leaders, how are you positioning yourself in the hiring process? Watch the full recording https://lnkd.in/enAWMJvM  Join us at the MVS2025 Conference: https://lnkd.in/dN9zGbYU Sign up for our Newsletter: https://lnkd.in/g6RFNhVM Join the MVS LinkedIn Group: https://lnkd.in/g62-GX24 #military #veteran #startup #marketing

Military Veteran Startup Conference 2025 (MVS25) Speaker Spotlight: Alex McLeod, MBA, Founder & CEO at Parlay Finance Alex’s incredible journey from global citizen to fintech entrepreneur highlights her passion for economic inclusion and empowering underserved communities. She advises founders: “Focus on impact and persistence—building something meaningful takes time, but the rewards are worth it.” Her journey is marked by: 🌍 Alex’s global perspective comes from being born in Hong Kong, raised in France, and studying at Cambridge, where she majored in Russian and Spanish. 📖 After earning her MBA, Alex honed her leadership and innovation skills, launching impactful projects like Deloitte’s first blockchain SaaS product and creating the Refugee Upskilling Program, which received a Zendesk Impact Award. 🚀 In 2022, Alex founded Parlay, a fintech platform streamlining SBA and small business lending. Her work supports community banks and credit unions in making capital accessible to underserved entrepreneurs. Alex’s key advice for leaders: 🌟Lead with impact: Focus on solving meaningful problems that create value for communities. 🌟 Build with empathy: Understand the challenges of those you aim to serve to design better solutions. 🌟 Stay persistent: Success often requires enduring the long, challenging process of building something new. 🌟 Foster collaboration: Surround yourself with passionate people who share your mission and bring diverse perspectives. 🌟 Think globally: Use a broad perspective to address systemic issues with innovative solutions. Register today: https://lnkd.in/dN9zGbYU

Arun Gupta, CEO of NobleReach™️ and author of Venture Meets Mission, shares his insights on balancing mission and profit during the Venture Meets Mission panel at MVS24. 🌟 Mission and Profit: A Powerful Duo 🌟 In today’s business landscape, the old debate of mission versus profit is being replaced by a transformative mindset: mission and profit go hand in hand. 🔑 “We’re now in a place where if you build your company from the beginning up, you integrate them together.” This isn’t just about doing good—it’s about doing well. A mission-driven approach can drive remarkable outcomes: 🌍 “The more mission I am doing, the more profit I am making.” How are you integrating mission and profit in your journey? Watch the full recording https://lnkd.in/gUPXh4bK  Join us at the MVS2025 Conference: https://lnkd.in/dN9zGbYU Sign up for our Newsletter: https://lnkd.in/g6RFNhVM Join the MVS LinkedIn Group: https://lnkd.in/g62-GX24 #MissionDriven #Leadership #Innovation

At Context Ventures, we focus on investing in the most exceptional founders.  We've discovered that military veterans often make outstanding founders, and we've backed many who share this background. Our confidence in veteran founders goes beyond everyday experiences; it's grounded in historical insights. There’s a reason we’re called Context Ventures—we value the perspective that history provides! ✨Military Veteran Founders: Ross Perot: The Visionary Leader and Philanthropist ✨ Ross Perot was a distinguished military veteran, founder, and entrepreneur who gained notoriety for his success in technology, politics, and philanthropy. His story is one of dedication, strategic thinking, and, most importantly, passion for innovation and community. Below, you can read more about numerous aspects of Perot's career and contributions. The following key achievements and ventures mark Ross Perot's journey: 💻 Electronic Data Systems (EDS): Founded in 1962, EDS revolutionized data processing and IT services, becoming a global leader in technology solutions for businesses and governments. 📈 Perot Systems: Established in 1988, this company continued Perot's legacy of innovation in IT services, further cementing his impact on the industry. 🗳️ Political Influence: As an independent candidate for the U.S. presidency in 1992 and 1996, Perot brought significant attention to national debt and economic reform issues. ⚓ Perot's journey mirrors that of many veterans: He graduated from the United States Naval Academy and served in the US Navy, where he developed the discipline, leadership, and strategic thinking that he later applied to his entrepreneurial ventures. His military background provided a strong foundation for his business success. 🏛️ Perot's influence extended into politics and public policy. His presidential campaigns, although unsuccessful, were notable for their impact on American political discourse, particularly regarding economic issues. His advocacy for fiscal responsibility and government reform resonated with many Americans and influenced future political discussions. 🤝 From a business perspective, Perot reinvested his capital into society through philanthropic activities. One such initiative is the Perot Foundation, which has donated millions to various causes, including medical research, education, and support for veterans. His contributions have had a lasting impact on communities and individuals in need. 📗We’ve co-authored a book on Military Veteran Founders and have a chapter devoted to Ross Perot's life and journey. Here's a link to the book: https://a.co/d/a9gJ3jz

Nand Mulchandani the first Chief Technology Officer of the Central Intelligence Agency highlights the dramatic shift in Silicon Valley’s focus during the Venture Meets Mission panel at MVS24 “Over the past 30 years in Silicon Valley, we don’t actually produce computers anymore… we now basically sell ads.” 💻 Once a groundbreaking technology and innovation hub, Silicon Valley is now dominated by advertising-driven business models. It’s a significant shift that raises essential questions about the future of tech and its true purpose. Nand also made a compelling point about the growing influence of tech companies: “The idea that Silicon Valley companies, tech companies actually influence elections and influence nation states and stuff is actually mind-blowing to people.” 🌍 As tech continues to impact society, politics, and global affairs, we must consider: How do we responsibly navigate this new era? As Silicon Valley evolves, so must our understanding of the power and accountability these companies hold. Watch the full recording https://lnkd.in/gUPXh4bK  Join us at the MVS2025 Conference: https://lnkd.in/dN9zGbYU Sign up for our Newsletter: https://lnkd.in/g6RFNhVM Join the MVS LinkedIn Group: https://lnkd.in/g62-GX24 #SiliconValley #TechImpact #Innovation #Leadership

Military Veteran Startup Conference 2025 (MVS25) Speaker Spotlight: K. Holden Lindblom (US Army), Co-Founder at VetraFi From Army Forward Observer to Stanford University graduate and fintech entrepreneur, Holden's journey demonstrates how military service can transform lives. He advises founders: "Founder market fit is more important than you may realize - when the issue has affected you personally, it helps keep you motivated to solve the problem." His journey is marked by: Holden enlisted in the US Army as a Forward Observer right after high school, serving with elite units, including the 173rd Airborne and 101st Air Assault, deploying to Afghanistan in 2012. 📖 Exemplifying the power of veteran education programs, he leveraged Service to School and Warrior-Scholar Project to earn his degree from Stanford University. His journey shows how veterans can successfully transition from military to top-tier education. He graduated in 2017 and proved that military experience combined with elite education creates unique perspectives in business. 🚀 He explored various career paths, including equity research and startup incubation at ZX Ventures (AB InBev), before co-founding VetraFi to revolutionize military banking and financial services. Holden's core advice for leaders: 💥 Find friction points: Leaders must identify and personally engage with their organization's biggest challenges. 💥 Build with conviction: Be comfortable with 70-80% confidence in decisions, knowing you won't have all the answers. 💥 Move fast, fail fast: Try multiple approaches and iterate quickly rather than committing fully to one solution. 💥 Manage relationships: Understand that stakeholders need different approaches and communication styles. 💥 Stay mission-focused: Remember your core purpose while being flexible enough to adapt your approach.

Manny S. Smith (United States Air Force), Founder and CEO of EdVisorly, shares vital tips for startups seeking venture funding at MVS24. “It is extremely hard to find the people who are super aligned with you if you start with impact.” “The concept of overplaying on impact would be very hard to raise venture if you’re over-stressing impact and under-stressing your business model.” When building a business, getting caught up in the mission is easy—the desire to make an impact, change the world, or solve a big problem. But here's the challenge: starting with impact alone can make attracting the right people and resources much harder. 💡 If you lead with impact without a clear and scalable business model, you might find yourself struggling to raise capital or attract investors. 📊 Venture capitalists often prioritize a solid business model—something that shows potential for growth, profitability, and sustainability—just as much (if not more) than the impact itself. What are your thoughts? 💬 Have you experienced the challenge of balancing impact and business models in your journey? Watch the full recording https://lnkd.in/eamVbZYc  Join us at the MVS2025 Conference: https://lnkd.in/dN9zGbYU Sign up for our Newsletter: https://lnkd.in/g6RFNhVM Join the MVS LinkedIn Group: https://lnkd.in/g62-GX24 #BusinessStrategy #Entrepreneurship #VentureCapital 

Cynthia S. Kao (U.S. Air Force Reserve), Executive Director of Operation Code, shares her thoughts during MVS24 on why it's not just about the product but also the culture your company creates. ”How can I love waking up and going to work? I’ve got to create that culture, not just for myself, but for other people.” 💡As leaders, we have the power to shape the environment we work in—one that inspires us to show up every day excited and driven. But it’s not just about finding a passion for ourselves—it’s about creating a culture that fuels the passion of those around us. As a leader, the culture you create is the foundation for everything. It affects: 🤝 Employee morale 📈 Productivity 💡 Innovation 🔄 Retention It starts with small actions—leading by example, empowering others, fostering open communication, and celebrating wins, big or small. 🎉 ✨ So, I ask you: How are you shaping the culture where you work? Watch the full recording https://lnkd.in/eamVbZYc  Join us at the MVS2025 Conference: https://lnkd.in/dN9zGbYU Sign up for our Newsletter: https://lnkd.in/g6RFNhVM Join the MVS LinkedIn Group: https://lnkd.in/g62-GX24 #Leadership #CompanyCulture #veteran 

Military Veteran Startup Conference 2025 (MVS25) Speaker Spotlight: Nate Kouhana (US Army), Founder & CEO at ANTHEM SNACKS. Nate's journey from Special Forces to CPG entrepreneur demonstrates his exceptional adaptability and strategic thinking in building a national brand. He advises founders: "The skillsets we learned as Green Berets have been significant - thinking unconventionally, maximizing force multipliers, and navigating with limited assets." His journey is marked by: 🇺🇸 Nate served as a Green Beret in 3rd Special Forces Group, earning two Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart during multiple combat deployments. 📖 After his military service, he gained startup experience in San Francisco's tech industry and earned his MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business. 🚀 In 2020, he founded Anthem Snacks in Montana, creating a premium meat snacks brand that has secured partnerships with Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), United Airlines, and major retailers while committing to 100% American-sourced beef. Nate's core advice for leaders: ♟️ Be resourceful: Find unconventional paths to market rather than following traditional routes. ♟️ Stay authentic: Build a brand around genuine values and experiences rather than market trends. ♟️ Think strategically: Target unique market segments where larger competitors have less presence. ♟️ Support American supply chains: Maintain quality standards even at higher costs to support domestic producers. ♟️ Give back meaningfully: Create a real impact in the veteran community while building a successful business.

Enrique Oti (United States Air Force), Chief Strategy Officer at Second Front, shares his insights on why the "shotgun approach" isn't the right strategy during the Startup and Small Business Contracting Panel at MVS24. “You must be selective.” “If you don’t look at the contract and go, hell yes, that’s exactly within our wheelhouse, and it's the kind of structure I want in a contract, then your answer should be no.”  In a world where opportunity knocks at every corner, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of any contract—especially when the stakes are high. However, being selective about the contracts you pursue can be the difference between success and burnout. 🚫 Here’s why: 🎯 Focus on Your Strengths: Know your core capabilities and avoid overcommitting. Staying true to your niche helps you become a trusted partner for the right contracts. 📝 Understand the Contract Structure: Ensure the contract aligns with your business model and risk tolerance. The wrong structure can cause unnecessary complexity and strain. 🔑 Build Long-Term Relationships: Winning the right contracts is about more than closing deals; it’s about fostering sustainable, mutually beneficial partnerships. 🚪Don’t Be Afraid to Say No: Walking away from a bad fit today can lead to better opportunities tomorrow. 💬 What’s your approach when evaluating a contract? Do you have a framework or strategy that helps you decide which opportunities to pursue? Share your thoughts, and let’s discuss!👇 Watch the full recording https://lnkd.in/eZAwtA4N  Join us at the MVS2025 Conference: https://lnkd.in/dN9zGbYU Sign up for our Newsletter: https://lnkd.in/g6RFNhVM Join the MVS LinkedIn Group: https://lnkd.in/g62-GX24 #DefenseStartups #veteran #startup