Veteran Founders and Funders Meetup: November 2024
The next meeting of the Veteran Founders & Funders (VFF) will feature Chris Groves, Executive Director of the Pacific Northwest Mission Acceleration Center (PNWMAC), as our keynote speaker.
Chris Groves is a former Intelligence Community professional with extensive leadership experience in big tech, currently focused on fostering innovation and partnerships in the Defense Tech sector. He is passionate about solving complex challenges for U.S. government partners, while simultaneously creating growth opportunities for startups. His work includes helping the government adopt advanced technologies to maintain a strategic edge, enhancing operational capabilities, and leveraging AI/ML and analytics for mission-critical tasks at the edge.
Groves actively scouts transformative defense technologies in areas like UAS, C-UAS, space technology, autonomous systems, off-grid energy, and biotech. He collaborates closely with venture capitalists, startup incubators, and portfolio firms. As a leader, he prioritizes inspiring and empowering teams, promoting an inclusive and fun workplace, and embracing disruption to unlock new opportunities. His approach combines effective strategy, clear communication, high standards, and teamwork to drive success and champion innovation.
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.
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