Our
Mission
To equip and invest in veteran and military-connected founders building transformative solutions in construction, industrial technology, and the built environment—advancing both economic prosperity and national strength through operator-led innovation.
Our Vision
A future where veteran and military-connected entrepreneurs are fully equipped, funded, and connected to scale companies that solve critical infrastructure and industrial challenges, strengthen communities, and drive the American economy forward.
VentureVets envisions becoming the premier accelerator and investment platform for military-connected founders in construction tech, PropTech, and industrial innovation—recognized for operational excellence, high-quality deal flow, and measurable impact on founders, investors, and the industries we serve.
Our Approach
We identify exceptional operator-founders with deep domain expertise, support them through sector-focused programming, and connect them with capital and opportunities through industry, government, and financial partnerships.
Our Dual-Structure Model
VentureVets operates through two complementary entities
Provides non-dilutive programming, mentorship, customer introductions, and ecosystem support to veteran and military-connected founders. Funded through corporate partnerships, grants, and philanthropic support, our accelerator serves as a proprietary deal flow engine and founder development platform.
Accelerator
A $5M early-stage fund making $50,000 initial investments with follow-on reserves for top performers. We deploy capital through a model of various instruments, providing flexible founder-friendly structures that align with different growth trajectories.
Investment Fund
This integrated approach enables us to
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Build deep relationships with founders before investing (12-18 month lead time)
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Provide value beyond capital through acceleration, networks, and operational support
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De-risk investments through rigorous founder vetting and customer validation
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Generate superior returns by combining operator insight with early access
From early pilots to national partnerships, VentureVets is expanding access for military-connected founders while driving measurable value in construction, industrial, and technology markets.
Our Impact
Partnerships with Comcast, NSF I-Corps, Indiana IoT Lab, Elevate Ventures
Community events, pitch competitions, and founder networking
Ecosystem Impact
Collaboration with veteran-led capital partners and veteran service service organizations
Thought leadership on veteran entrepreneurship and construction innovation
$5M fund targeting 20+ portfolio companies
Follow-on reserves supporting top performers
Investment Impact
Flexible capital structures serving different business models
Expected returns driven by proprietary deal flow and operator validation
200+ general contractor relationships providing market access
Pilot programs connecting veteran-led startups with enterprise customers
Industry Impact
Strategic partnerships
with leading construction, industrial, and technology companies
Innovation pathways linking DoD, government agencies, and commercial markets
75+
alumni supported across accelerator programs
$40K+
in non-dilutive awards and grants secured for founders
3x+
Multiple founders achieving 3x+ revenue growth post-cohort
Founder Impact
$18M+
in follow-on capital raised by platform companies
Portfolio companies
securing government contracts, strategic clients, and national partnerships
150+
entrepreneurs engaged through programs and events
75+
alumni supported across accelerator programs
$40K+
in non-dilutive awards and grants secured for founders
3x+
Multiple founders achieving 3x+ revenue growth post-cohort
Founder Impact
$18M+
in follow-on capital raised by platform companies
Portfolio companies
securing government contracts, strategic clients, and national partnerships
150+
entrepreneurs engaged through programs and events
Partnerships with Comcast, NSF I-Corps, Indiana IoT Lab, Elevate Ventures
Community events, pitch competitions, and founder networking
Ecosystem Impact
Collaboration with veteran-led capital partners and veteran service service organizations
Thought leadership on veteran entrepreneurship and construction innovation
Our Impact
From early pilots to national partnerships, VentureVets is expanding access for military-connected founders while driving measurable value in construction, industrial, and technology markets.
200+ general contractor relationships providing market access
Pilot programs connecting veteran-led startups with enterprise customers
$5M fund targeting 20+ portfolio companies
Follow-on reserves supporting top performers
Industry Impact
Investment Impact
Strategic partnerships
with leading construction, industrial, and technology companies
Innovation pathways linking DoD, government agencies, and commercial markets
Flexible capital structures serving different business models
Expected returns driven by proprietary deal flow and operator validation
Our Principles
We exist to serve foundes. Every decision—from program design to investment terms—prioritizes founder success, sustainability, and growth. We offer flexible capital structures that align with different business models and minimize unnecessary dilution.
Our military heritage demands unwavering ethical standards. We operate with radical transparency, honor our commitments, and build relationships based on mutual respect and shared values.
We select for excellence and then invest heavily in founder success. Our accelerator and post-investment support reflect the same rigor and commitment that define military service.
VentureVets is more than a fund—it's a movement. We strengthen the veteran entrepreneurship ecosystem, create pathways for military spouses, and contribute to economic development in the communities we serve.
We value execution over planning, pilots over presentations, and traction over theory. Our founders are operators who ship products, close customers, and iterate rapidly.
We communicate openly with founders, investors, and partners about challenges, learnings, and results. We share what works, what doesn't, and the real lessons from building companies.
We invest where we have authentic domain knowledge and can add material value. Our focus on construction, industrial tech, and PropTech reflects our team's operational experience and network depth.
The People
Meet the operator-investors guiding VentureVets' strategy, founder selection, industry engagement, and investment approach. Our team combines military service, entrepreneurial experience, construction operations, and ecosystem development expertise.
Leadership
Courtney Zaugg
Courtney is Co-Founder and Managing Partner of VentureVets, leading the organization's dual-structure approach combining an accelerator with an investment fund that supports veteran and military-connected entrepreneurs. As a serial entrepreneur, she has founded six companies since 2017, including a tech startup, and operates their real estate development ventures alongside VentureVets.
With a master's degree from Brussels and nearly 20 years of experience in entrepreneurship and economic development, Courtney brings specialized expertise in economic strategy development, public policy, and ecosystem building across both rural and urban communities. Her venture studio model allows her to work alongside founders while developing market-driven economic development strategies that connect capital, policy, and opportunity.
Under her leadership, VentureVets has supported 75+ alumni who collectively raised over $18M in capital while developing strategic partnerships with Comcast, NSF I-Corps, Indiana IoT Lab, and Elevate Ventures. Her diverse entrepreneurial portfolio spanning technology, real estate development, and construction, combined with her ecosystem-building expertise, positions her uniquely to guide veteran and military-connected founders through the complexities of building scalable, investable companies while navigating access to capital, networks, and market validation.
Courtney Zaugg
Co-Founder, Managing Partner + GP
Veteran Spouse | Innovation Ecosystem Builder
Nathan is Co-Founder and Head of Platform of VentureVets, bringing operational expertise from active construction operations, military service, and serial entrepreneurship. As founder of Zinc Contractors and five other ventures built with Courtney since 2017, Nathan maintains 200+ general contractor relationships that provide authentic customer validation, pilot opportunities, and market access for portfolio companies.
Nathan's service-first mentality, forged through two tours in Iraq with the Marine Corps and continued through Team Rubicon volunteer leadership, informs VentureVets' founder-centric approach and high-support model. His hands-on construction experience enables VentureVets to evaluate ConTech and PropTech opportunities with operator-level insight that traditional VCs cannot replicate. Nathan specializes in operator mentorship and team leadership development, working directly with founders to translate military precision and systems thinking into scalable business operations. His unique combination of military leadership, serial entrepreneurship, and active industry operations positions him to provide portfolio companies with both strategic guidance and tactical execution support.
Nathan Zaugg
Co-Founder + Head of Platform
USMC Veteran | Construction Entrepreneur
Advisors
Duke brings deep PropTech expertise and Air Force veteran perspective to VentureVets' advisory team, supporting real estate innovation strategy and founder development.
Duke Long
REACH Accelerator
Air Force Veteran
PropTech Expert
David provides investment strategy guidance, portfolio construction expertise, and Navy veteran leadership to VentureVets' fund operations and LP relations.
David Mann
The Firefly Group
Navy Veteran
Investment & Strategy Executive
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Phil contributes technology industry experience and investor perspective, advising on fund structure, deal evaluation, and technology market opportunities.
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