Veteran Founders and Funders Meetup: April 2025
The Veteran Founders & Funders meetup brings together founders with military backgrounds (all branches, all nations, including DOD employees and non-profits involved in the DOD startup ecosystem) with investors who look to back them in venture scale startups.
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.
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.
April 24th Meeting
Keynote Speaker:
Ryan Casey is a Program Manager with the Pacific Northwest Defense Coalition and serves as the point person for Navy engagement within PNDC’s defense innovation division, the Mission Acceleration Center (MAC). Ryan brings a variety of experience as a naval aviator, attorney, and senior congressional aide. A native of Sioux Falls, SD, and a 2001 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Ryan served on active duty as a P-3C Naval Flight Officer with the VP-40 Fighting Marlins at NAS Whidbey Island, WA, and later on the Navy’s Manpower staff at the Navy Installations Command in Washington, DC. As a Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve, Ryan flew with the VP-69 Totems from 2012 to 2023 and is currently attached to the Naval and Amphibious Liaison Element (NALE) at the 613th Air Operations Center at Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam, Hawaii. Ryan holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Washington School of Law and a Master of Public Policy from Georgetown University. He lives in Seattle with his wife, Dr. Siobhan Pattwell, and their son.
Presenting Startups:
Rattler Medical - Donald Young (Army)
HoloSuit - Harsha Kikkeri (Indian Army)
Slot available
Please join us at 5pm for registration and networking. The fireside chat with our keynote speaker will begin at 6pm. Three veteran founders will pitch their venture-scale startups afterwards, followed by more networking.
Dinner will be provided and tickets have been made free by the generosity of an anonymous sponsor.
Parking is always free and easy at Venture Mechanics. Please register as early as possible, and if you need to cancel please do us the courtesy of doing so within 24 hours of the event.
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