More than 70 veterans of all military branches packed the house for the VetsinTech launch of “VetCap” in San Francisco, a new program geared to teach transitioning vets where and how to raise capital for their startup. Part workshop and part pitch session, VetCap covered the basics of corporate capital financing, angel funding, crowdsourcing, venture debt and small business loans.
Held at Next World Capital in honor of Military Appreciation Month, the event is the first in a series of workshops by VetsinTech set to continue around the country. Here are four key takeaways:
Tech-savvy veterans fill the room. Photo by Brian Jarvis
1) Think of investors like dating: The analogy between finding a significant other and securing financing for a startup is strikingly similar. As with any relationship, it begins with basic chemistry. “Imagine asking random people for a date and your hit rate will be pretty low. That’s where the power of a personal introduction can’t be overstated,” said panelist David Mayhew, Chief Risk Officer of GE Ventures. “It means making connections by grabbing people at every coffee bar and networking event.”
Bryan Jarvis 
You must be logged in to post a comment.