capital Velocity of National Security Innovation

Derek has more than 30 years of experience in Venture Capital, Technology Commercialization and Business Development Professional with a proven track record in identifying, evaluating, and advancing technologies from university, industry, military and federal sources. He has lead commercialization activities that identify investment grade opportunities for the state of South Carolina and nationally. He assists early-stage companies in Capital Formation Strategies that include Convertible Debt, Angel Capital, and Venture Capital. Since 2008 he directed over $35m early-stage investments that have garnered over $2B in follow-on funding. He maintains an Extensive Industry Network and has provided Decision Support and Risk Reduction services to more than 200 companies. He is proficient in the use of Non-FAR Based Contract Vehicles (845 OTA) for the development of prototypes for Title 50 and Title 10 technology development and acquisition. He currently serves as Subject Matter Expert to Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic for the Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO) and the Rapid Acquisition Cell. He is a start-up, operations and general management expert who excels at planning and coordinating resources and activities of distributed teams during dynamic market changes, ambiguity and conditions of uncertainty to bring technologies to the warfighter and returns to investors. 

He maintains an active Secret Clearance