AAAIM’s Post

In honor of Veterans and Military Families Month, we spoke with Sherman Williams II of AIN Ventures, a venture fund focused on pre-seed and seed stages that invests in dual-use technology and veteran-led startups. Thank you to Sherman for sharing his thoughts about the impact of serving in the military, challenges that veterans face and more. Learn more about AIN Ventures here: https://bit.ly/3ZiAIlM

Vets to VC. Great piece highlighting Groundswell investors Kelly Perdew and Craig Cummings of Moonshots Capital. Amazing investors and even better people. Veterans aren’t just crushing it as VCs, they’re also crushing it as founders. Look at guys like Blake Hall and Sonny Tai, just two among dozens that I follow and admire. #military #veterans #vc #venture #founder #entrepreneurship

PARTNERS SINCE INCEPTION At BVVC, we back bold teams... As inception/seed stage investors, BVVC places great significance on the strength of our founding teams, never the founder(s) alone. The excellence of individual members does not define this, but in the way they unite, blending their distinct skills and experiences to form a powerful collective, a seemingly unstoppable force. This rare collision of expertise paired with execution is essential to overcoming extreme hardship... A powerful collective, a seemingly unstoppable force... This. Is. Firestorm. We have been alongside the founders since inception. It all started at the #Army #Navy Game in San Diego in 2018 (#GNBA) More from our Managing Partner, Joe Musselman, about our investments in Firestorm... "The United States and our allies must own the air. Firestorm's focus on modularity, precision, and adaptability aligns perfectly with these trends. By investing early, we’re positioning ourselves in a market expected to see increased demand driven by global defense modernization efforts. Our participation is supporting the critical transition in defense capabilities (Indo-Pacific). Firestorm is not a trend; it’s a paradigm shift in defense manufacturing. They have not developed incremental improvements to a legacy platform; they redefined the capabilities arsenal for national security. Our thesis is clear: to become the trusted fund in the field for special operations, broader defense, and commercial sector partners that matter most and provide them with first-look access to technologies and prototypes developed by companies like Firestorm. This aligns with several key strategic, operational, and ethical considerations we face as a nation to protect our citizens at home and patriots abroad." We will post a long-form article on our journey with Firestorm and DanMagy, Chad McCoy, Ian Muceus shortly - stay tuned! - Incredibly proud to be alongside allies such as: Lockheed Martin, Decisive Point, Silent Ventures, 645 Ventures, Overmatch Ventures, Cubit Capital, IronGate Capital Advisors, Backswing Ventures, @TheVeteranFund, and others... Cc: SCHOOL.HOUSE, TLC Equation - READ THE FULL ANNOUNCEMENT HERE: https://lnkd.in/e7w6CJQ8

This thought made me think!! 💭 The current social media landscape is filled with traders selling trading and investing courses but incurring huge huge losses in their portfolios. It’s high time, we get back to “old school” - self learning and implemente it in our life! And as it’s said: no great things comes easy! Neither those green returns!! ✅ Think of it! #naval #navalravikant #startups #investing #returns #trading #stockmarketindia #lipostingchallengeindia LinkedIn Guide to Creating

Kenneth (Ken) Sutton (US Army), CEO, President, & Co-Founder of Yobe Inc., emphasizes the importance of investors spending time beyond the deal itself to truly understand the people, culture, and long-term vision driving the company. 👉“ We didn't get to know anyone that we have a military relationship within a pitch.” 👉“ Spend the extra time and energy, and I say it will pay off for you.” Spending time with a founder provides valuable insights into their resilience, vision, and personal commitment to the company’s mission—qualities that are essential for a startup’s long-term success. Understanding a founder’s motivations and values helps investors gauge the alignment between the leadership and the company’s goals, which can be pivotal in challenging times. Building strong rapport with the founder fosters trust and open communication, creating a collaborative foundation that benefits both the investor and the startup as they grow. Enjoy the full panel: https://lnkd.in/eUSia9YK  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 #MinorityOwned #SupportingDiverseBusinesses #VeteranFounders

On this Veteran's Day, NAIC expresses our gratitude to all who have served and sacrificed for our country. After serving as a U.S. Naval Intelligence Officer, Sherman Williams II co-founded AIN Ventures, a venture capital fund investing in veteran-led startups and dual-use technology companies. Sherman shared three foundational skills he learned while serving in the Navy—skills he applies every day: 1. Discipline – The military instills discipline through structured routines, from early wake-ups to rigorous daily tasks. This foundation of preparation and accountability has been invaluable in Sherman’s transition to venture capital, where diligence and consistency are key to success. 2. Quiet Confidence – With four overseas deployments, Sherman developed a calm resilience, learning to adapt and lead through difficult situations. This quiet confidence equips him to handle the high-stakes, volatile environment of VC, assured that he and his team can tackle any challenge together. 3. Respect for Diverse Perspectives – Sherman worked alongside people from all backgrounds and cultures, gaining insight into different worldviews and learning to find common ground. In his current role, this ability to connect with founders, investors, and clients from diverse backgrounds helps him forge meaningful, impactful relationships.

💼 To all the 🪖 military spouses and veterans who are building their own businesses, I see you and I'm inspired by your journey! You know better than anyone that success doesn't come easy, and it takes determination, grit, and the ability to adapt to any situation - a true military spirit. 🏋️♀️ Each day, you're not just building a business; you're creating a legacy. 🌱 You're showing your families and communities what it means to turn challenges into opportunities. 💡 But you don't always have to do it alone. There are networks and resources out there to support you. The Barclays Veteran Founders Initiative, for example, is dedicated to helping veterans and their spouses on their entrepreneurial journeys 📚 When the road gets tough, remember this quote from Bear 🐻 Grylls: "In life, there are three important things to think about - courage, kindness, and never giving up." 💪 Have courage to face the unknown, show kindness to those around you, and never give up. Together, we can achieve great things. 🌈 Keep pushing forward, leverage the support around you, and always believe in yourself. Here's to your continued success! 🎉🌟 https://lnkd.in/e_GCpq7h. #VeteranOwned #SpouseOwned #Entrepreneurship #Support #Motivation #Inspiration

Global Tensions Feed VC Interest In European Defense Startups   VC investment into European “defense tech” is poised to hit the $1 billion mark for the first time in 2024. Against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine and the emergence of new battlefield weapons and strategies, startup companies are providing at least some of the innovative solutions governments require to maintain the viability of their armed forces at a time of huge technological change.   https://lnkd.in/ewP2x-k7   Star26 - we are an acquisition holding company in the defense technology sector. Our roll-up strategy creates economies of scale, enhancing competitiveness and profitability.   #defensetech #star26 #israel #acquisitions #defense #aerospace #DefenseTech #StrategicInvestment #Innovation

🔥 Had that call today—the one founders dream about. I'm not just disrupting an industry—I’m building a whole new one. The only ones getting disrupted are the bad actors taking a cut of veterans' hard-earned benefits. We’re here to change the game for good. 💥 Watch this space—big things are coming. #VeteranOwned #DisruptTheDisruptors #ClaimSharks #VetClaimsAI #VeteranBenefits #FoundersJourney #MilitaryLife #StartupLife

https://lnkd.in/gzzQiEhq Allies are important & they are easier than ever to find. Learn about folks who are living their Slykigai. Naval, Scott Adams, Paul Graham, Balaji. Can you mutate their memes and make them more potent? Identify Allies Reach Out Add Value Follow Up