Veterans Venture Forum to Provide Military Veteran Entrepreneurs a Platform to Showcase Companies to Angel and Early-Stage Investor Groups

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The first-ever Veterans Venture Forum, an initiative of the National Defense University (NDU) Foundation to promote investment in new and early-stage businesses started by America's military veterans, was announced today by NDU Foundation President Cathleen Pearl.

The culminating event of the initiative, The Veterans Venture Forum Capstone Demo Day, will take place on Tuesday, October 29, 2013 from 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM at Fort McNair in Washington, DC.

The NDU Foundation has created the Veterans Venture Forum and will be hosting Capstone Demo Day in partnership with The Angel Venture Forum, an ad hoc group of more than 30 active, experienced angel investors from more than 24 angel investor groups located throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.  More than 80 different angel and early-stage investment groups, representing approximately $1 billion in investable wealth, are expected to participate.

"Our goal is to give military veterans an opportunity to meet directly with experienced investors and pitch their business plans," said Ms. Pearl.  "Veterans have a unique set of skills and discipline, and the NDU Foundation is pleased to provide those with the passion and desire to start a business the chance to present their plans to a large group of seasoned angel and early-stage investors."

Ms. Pearl added: "Not only does the National Defense University community embrace innovation – its students, faculty, staff members, and alumni inspire innovation each and every day.

At the Veterans Venture Forum Capstone Demo Day on October 29, approximately 20 veteran entrepreneurs selected from applications, will have 15 minutes to pitch their companies to investors.  Leading up to this culminating event, the NDU Foundation, in partnership with The Angel Venture Forum, will conduct the NDU Foundation Boot Camp for Entrepreneurs, a series of training and informal education sessions beginning at Fort McNair on the evening of Thursday, August 8 and continuing bi-weekly for three months.

The purpose of these non-mandatory start-up boot camp sessions is to help military veterans who aspire to be entrepreneurs develop better business plans, understand the challenges and recognize opportunities associated with start-up ventures, and gain a keener understanding of and prepare for the investment process.  Specific tutorials will be given on funding, financials, leadership (including how to leverage contacts through Board of Directors and Advisors), term sheets, intellectual property, and valuations.

Military veterans ready to take their ideas from concept to reality, and who have launched or want to launch a successful start-up or business venture may register here for the Veterans Venture Forum and the NDU Foundation Boot Camp for Entrepreneurs.  NDU Foundation Sponsorship inquiries should be directed to Katie Griffin Hand, NDU Foundation Vice President for Special Projects at 202-685-2528 or via e-mail at [email protected].

About National Defense University Foundation

National Defense University Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, is pleased to launch the Veterans Venture Forum. The Forum further advances NDU Foundation's goals of inspiring innovation, achievement and the highest standards of educational excellence and leadership, while also promoting the growth and development of our military service men and women through the whole of their life cycles. In addition to participating veteran entrepreneurs, investors and corporate partners, our objective in launching the Veterans Venture Forum is that it will be a dynamic forum attended by students, faculty, staff members and alumni throughout the NDU community www.ndufoundation.org.

About The Angel Venture Forum

The Angel Venture Forum is an ad hoc group of more than 30 active, experienced angel investors from more than 24 angel investor groups located throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.  Each of our colleagues shares a mission to discover, develop, and invest in strong opportunities.  The Angel Venture Forum makes it easier for companies to meet the highest number of angel investors in one place over the shortest period of time. Learn more about AVF at www.angelventureforum.com.

SOURCE National Defense University Foundation