May 2020
Vol 7 | Issue 308

Q&A with Derren Burrell of Veteran Ventures Capital

President / Founder

Principal Series:

Veteran Ventures Capital is an early-stage investment and consulting firm focused on veteran-owned/led businesses. Comprised of former military leaders ourselves, we invest/interact in businesses with military veteran leadership exclusively because we recognize the value of their experience, training, and character. We are a service-disabled, veteran-owned, full-service investment and consulting firm.

Join us in supporting our veteran entrepreneurs: May 26th at 2:15 PM eastern 

 

 

The skillsets taught and instilled in veterans often drive them toward entrepreneurship in America’s startup economy—with incredible results. We are seeking to develop the next Sam Walton (Walmart), Fred Smith (Fed Ex), Jack Taylor (Enterprise), Ken Hicks (Footlocker), Richard Kinder (Kinder Morgan), Gail Linger (RE/MAX), and the list of disruptive veterans goes on. Military veteran-owned small businesses have accounted for a high percentage of job creation, economic growth, investor return, and innovation through competitive advantage. Come join the revolution to spur returns you can be proud of!


Family Office Insights is a voluntary, “opt-in” collaborative peer-to-peer community of single family offices, qualified investors and institutional investors. Join the community here www.familyofficeinsights.com


Why invest in veteran entrepreneurs?

Veterans make better entrepreneurs. Who do you turn to in a crisis? Time and time again our nation’s military leaders answer the call and represent the embodiment of poise under pressure. Natural disasters, humanitarian efforts, acts of terrorism…whatever the challenge…our country’s national defense displays innovative, disruptive, and a no-fail mentality when it comes to mission accomplishment. The military wrote the book on adaptability and resilience. The government invests millions in each service member to gain technical competence and leadership potential. We invite investors to leverage this investment by participating in VVC’s inaugural Veteran Fund I

What makes Veteran Venture Capital's Veteran Fund I unique?

Founded by Army and Air Force professionals, Veteran Ventures understands the military culture, and how profitable it can be. Our team consists of veterans who have served at all levels of service, from the front lines of Iraq & Afghanistan to the White House. We have formed strategic partnerships with key groups throughout the country to ensure unique and compelling dealflow not found anywhere else. We have the financial, technological, and operational expertise to take these businesses to the next level and provide a return you can be proud of. Our fund is uncorrelated, highly differentiated, socially relevant, and focused on tech-enabled veteran-led businesses.

What are the firm's milestones?

The fund was launched in 2018 initially at $5 million target. Investor rallies through TN and GA netted nearly $1 million before being approached by placement agents to scale to $20 million in the fall of 2019. Our fund has broken escrow and invested in two companies over the past year. We seek to be capitalized at a minimum of $20 million, thus we are seeking a lead investor for $5 million and 4-5 follow-on investors at $1-$3 million each. We seek our first $5 million close no later than August 2020, and anticipate final close by the end of the calendar year 2020.


Derren Burrell of Veteran Ventures Capital

Derren Burrell, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) is the is the Founder & President of Veteran Ventures Capital, LLC, an investment and consulting firm focused on scaling veteran-owned and led businesses. In this capacity he oversees all aspects of the company operations and fund management. Prior to this he served as the Chief Operating Officer for TAG Resources, LLC, a retirement service company with over $1.5 billion in assets under management. He is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary, Certified Defense Financial Manager, and Level 3 Certified in the Secretary of Defense Financial Management Program.

Prior to his transition to the private sector in 2015, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Burrell was the Resource Director of the White House Communication Agency. He worked directly with senior White House (WH) staff, Congressional, comptroller, United States Secret Service, Dept of State, and Defense Information Systems Agency staff in all aspects of financial and contract management in support of POTUS. While in this position he was selected for the rank of Colonel but decided to retire from his 21-year military history and transition to the private sector. Contact Derren

derren@veteranventures.us and https://www.veteranventures.us/