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Washington - District of Columbia, U.S.A.
Contact this investorsBusinesses Solutions • Hardware (& Manufacturing) • A.I. (& Big Data) • Robotics
Venture Partner at Refinery Ventures
Stephen Rudriguez is the Founder and serves as Board of Advisors at One Defense. He serves as Advisor at Public Spend Forum. He is an Advisor of Dcc & serves as Venture Partner at Refinery Ventures. He is an Angel Investor. Prior to this, he served as Venture Partner at SineWave Ventures. He is a senior fellow with New America's International Security program. He is the founder of One Defense, an agile network of market leading, non-traditional technology companies, venture capital firms, and research universities dedicated to scouting advanced software and hardware applications and enabling their transition into the national security enterprise. Concurrently, he has served as a Venture Partner supporting the above-market venture portfolio performance of Scout Ventures, and Abundance Partners. He began his career at Booz Allen Hamilton shortly before 9/11 supporting their national security practice. In his capacity as an expert on game theoretic applications, he supported the United States Intelligence Community and DOD as the lead architect for the Thor's Hammer, Schriever II/III and Cyber Storm wargames. He subsequently was a Vice President at a venture-backed, artificial intelligence company (Sentia Group) and served as Chief Marketing Officer for a international defense corporation (NCL Holdings). He serves on the Board of CENSA, DMGS, HighSide, Omelas, Public Spend Forum, Training Leaders International, Uniken, and WarOnTheRocks. He is also a Visiting Professor at the Naval Postgraduate School, a Senior Fellow at New America and serves on the Term Member Advisory Council at the Council on Foreign Relations. He received his B.B.A degree from Texas A&M University and an M.A. degree from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service. He is published in Foreign Policy, WarOnTheRocks, National Review, RealClearDefense, and Harvard's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. Notably, his graduate thesis on conflict resolution in the Caucasus resulted in an invitation to join incoming Secretary of Defense Robert Gates transition team in late 2006.
Virginia - West Virginia - Florida - McLean Virginia - Melbourne Florida - Martinsburg West Virginia - U.S.A., U.S.A.
Contact this investorsMedia • Businesses Solutions • Retail (& E-Commerce) • Mobile • Consumer
Mike Rhodes serves as Chief Technology Officer at AppTek. He is the Chief Financial Officer at Geostellar. His diverse background includes work in corporate finance, private equity, venture capital, and start-ups. He started with Geostellar in October of 2012, and is charged with providing financial oversight to the company's strategic and operating activities, while being responsible for the finance, accounting, HR, investor relations, and business development functions. Mike's focus at Geostellar is to provide a strong financial and business foundation, and the discipline that will help drive the enterprise value of the company as its velocity accelerates from that of a start-up to a strong, vibrant, solar powerhouse. Mike was previously the CFO of Crystal Media Networks, a mid-sized media advertising and technology firm in Bethesda, Maryland. Crystal Media was a portfolio company of Arlington-based private equity firm MCG Capital (MCGC:NASDAQ), where Mike was a Portfolio Manager for more than eight years. While at MCG, Mike led underwriting teams for both debt and equity investments, managed existing portfolio investments, and assisted in turnaround situations, primarily in the Media and Communications industries. At one point, Mike managed a portfolio of over 15 companies with over $170 million of invested capital at risk. He has assisted in over $400 million of private equity and debt transactions in his career, working with MCG, C1 Venture Partners, Global Partner Ventures (GPV), and the Defense Enterprise Fund. While with GPV, Mike helped fund and create venture-backed start-up companies in the United States and Russia, in the information technology, telecommunications, and manufacturing industries. Mike began his career in corporate finance and business development at the Hamilton Sundstrand Division of United Technologies Corporation, where he worked on international financing and joint ventures. One of those start-up joint ventures, HS-Nauka, is still producing environmental control systems for Boeing 747 aircraft to this day. Mike earned a BS in Finance from the University of Connecticut and an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Virginia - West Virginia - Wheeling West Virginia - U.S.A., U.S.A.
Contact this investorsIT (& TMT) • IoT (& Wearables)
Robert Nutting serves as Partner at TNC Ventures. Nutting serves as President & Chief Executive Officer at Ogden Publications. He is chairman of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Pirates Charities, and chairman of Seven Springs Mountain Resort. Bob has served as former chairman of the News Media Alliance, past president of the West Virginia Press Association, former chairman of the West Virginia Independent Colleges, former chairman of The Linsly School in Wheeling, WV, and a member of the board of The Thacher School in Ojai, CA. Bob currently serves as vice chairman of the Nature Conservancy of West Virginia and as a board member of the Green Sports Alliance.
Virginia - West Virginia - Morgantown West Virginia - U.S.A., U.S.A.
Contact this investorsHardware (& Manufacturing) • A.I. (& Big Data) • Life Science
The startup and investment ecosystem in West Virginia is gaining traction, characterized by an emerging network of entrepreneurs, investors, and academic institutions. The state's business climate is increasingly fostering innovation, aided by strategic partnerships and state initiatives aimed at economic diversification. Cities like Morgantown and Charleston are emerging as key hubs for startup activity.
West Virginia's startup ecosystem is heavily influenced by its traditional industries, including energy and manufacturing. However, there is growing interest in technology, healthcare, and biotechnology sectors, supported by research initiatives at institutions like West Virginia University (WVU). The state's natural resources also spur innovation in environmental and sustainability-focused startups.
Angel investor activity in West Virginia is primarily driven by regional networks and individual investors interested in early-stage ventures. The West Virginia Growth Investment Fund is one such entity that facilitates connections between startups and angel investors, providing capital infusion for promising local startups.
The venture capital landscape in West Virginia is still developing, with limited but growing interest from regional and national firms. Organizations like the INNOVA Commercialization Group play a crucial role in bridging the gap between startups and venture capitalists, offering investment readiness programs and funding opportunities.
West Virginia offers a favorable investment climate with business-friendly policies, tax incentives, and a low cost of living. These factors make it an attractive destination for startups seeking to minimize operating costs while accessing a supportive network of advisors and mentors.
Support for entrepreneurs in West Virginia is robust, with resources like the West Virginia Small Business Development Center providing guidance and mentorship. Additionally, accelerators such as the Vantage Ventures at WVU offer comprehensive programs to help startups scale and succeed.
The future outlook for West Virginia’s startup ecosystem is promising. With ongoing efforts to diversify the economy and an increasing focus on technology and innovation, the state is well-positioned to attract more investment and entrepreneurial talent. Continued collaboration among academia, industry, and government will be crucial in maintaining this positive trajectory.
In West Virginia, angel investors play a crucial role in nurturing early-stage startups. Notable investors include John Chambers, former CEO of Cisco, who has shown interest in fostering innovation in his home state. Ron Stoner, a seasoned entrepreneur, is also recognized for his investments in technology and healthcare startups.
Mountain State Capital stands out as a prominent venture capital firm in West Virginia. They focus on technology-driven companies and have a history of investing in sectors like IT and clean energy. The West Virginia Growth Investment Fund is another key player, supporting a range of industries from agriculture to biotech.
The investment size typically varies, with angel investors often providing seed funding ranging from $50,000 to $250,000. Venture capital firms in the region may offer larger rounds, with investments spanning from $500,000 to several million dollars, depending on the startup's growth stage and sector.
Angel investors and venture capital firms in West Virginia collectively engage in dozens of investments annually. While the number may seem modest compared to larger states, their strategic focus ensures impactful contributions to the local startup ecosystem.
The investment market in West Virginia is poised for growth, driven by increasing interest in tech and renewable energy sectors. With ongoing efforts to attract more investors, the state is gradually gaining recognition as a promising hub for startups.
Investors in West Virginia often provide more than just capital; they offer valuable mentorship and industry connections. This support is crucial for startups seeking to navigate the challenges of scaling and entering new markets.
The West Virginia government actively supports entrepreneurship through initiatives like the West Virginia Small Business Development Center and tax incentives for startups. These efforts aim to create a conducive environment for business growth and innovation.
West Virginia's investment landscape is evolving, with angel investors and venture capital firms playing pivotal roles. As the state continues to foster a supportive ecosystem for startups, the future looks promising for entrepreneurs seeking investment opportunities in the region.
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