Venture Mechanics is a coworking space and innovation center for startups and entrepreneurs in the Pacific Northwest.

Venture Mechanics Bellevue

 (VFF) will feature Chris Groves, Executive Director of the Pacific Northwest Mission Acceleration Center (PNWMAC), as our keynote speaker. 

Chris Groves connects innovative startups with National Security partners to enhance mission capabilities for front line operators.

His prior role with Oracle Government Defense and Intelligence fueled Chris’s passion for working with startups and expanded his knowledge of tech available to support National Security innovation. He built close partnerships with a portfolio of startups and applied Oracle’s cloud infrastructure and tactical edge hardware to develop pathways for National Security customers to onboard innovative, mission-relevant solutions.

Chris established a strong foundation in National Security during a 25-year career as an Operations Officer for the CIA. In a series of field command roles, he empowered teams to achieve significant results for the CIA's core mission objectives. He served in multiple war zones, applied cyber capabilities to intel operations, and enhanced relations, joint operations and/or training programs with foreign partners, US Military, and with US Intel and Law Enforcement Agencies.

Delivering effective leadership and providing a great work environment are important to Chris. He works hard to inspire teams to deliver their full potential, champions innovation and creativity to produce enhanced impact, and fosters a positive and inclusive team environment that keeps employees motivated, productive, and focused on the mission.

Chris holds an MBA from Thunderbird International Business School and enjoys developing new skills through executive education programs.

The keynote will be followed by three five-minute pitches by veteran founders, and then networking.

About the Veteran Founders & Funders Group

The group's objectives are to accelerate the success of scalable startups that are led by veteran founders in the Puget Sound region, through a combination of events and resources. The monthly meetings (held every 1st Wednesday of the month) are of course an enormous networking opportunity for founders to meet other founders, but also angel and venture capital investors who want to support their business aspirations. 

In partnership with Venture Mechanics, members can also access a vast network of mentors, workshops, startup bootcamps, incubator and coworking options, and access to equity and non-dilutive funding sources.

Join us for networking from 5pm-6pm. The formal portion of the event will run from 6pm-8:00pm, and will be followed by our usual afterparty. Light dinner and beverages will be served. Free parking.

Veteran Founders and Funders Meetup: November 2024