🇺🇸 Inside The Veteran Fund Summit
On September 18, 2026, The Veteran Fund brought together our investors, founders, and leaders in San Diego for our annual Summit.
We gave our Limited Partners an inside look at the people, technologies, and companies shaping America’s future.
Now, we’re opening the doors to the broader Veteran Fund community. Here’s a look inside:
The Veteran Fund Summit 2026
🇺🇸 THE FUTURE OF DEFENSE AT FIRESTORM HQ
The Veteran Fund LPs were immersed in the world of defense technology with a visit to Firestorm's headquarters.
Firestorm Labs equips warfighters with mission-critical capabilities at the point of need through additive manufacturing at the edge. Shortly after returning from a trip overseas, Firestorm’s CEO Dan Magy provided a powerful perspective on global conflict and how critical technologies will meaningfully impact outcomes. It was a firsthand look at the people and technology redefining the future of defense.
The Veteran Fund was among the earliest investors in Firestorm, backing the company before its rapid ascent. Since then, Firestorm has created more than 200 American jobs, including significant opportunities for veterans, while building a next-generation manufacturing platform positioned to transform how critical systems are designed, produced, and scaled globally.
🇺🇸 THE VETERAN FUND STATE OF THE UNION
We launched the Summit with a look inside The Veteran Fund, Fund I’s top-decile performance, the strategy for Fund II, and updates from portfolio companies including Firestorm Labs, Proteus Space, Refacture, Autonomous Cyber, and Glid.
Leadership from each team presented and answered questions, sharing unique insights into what they are building at the frontiers of AI, robotics, autonomy, cybersecurity, and critical materials.
🇺🇸 FIRESIDE CHAT WITH JACK SELBY
GP Mike Sherbakov sat down with LP Jack Selby, Managing Director of Thiel Capital and Copper Sky Capital, for a wide-ranging conversation on venture capital, technology, and national security.
His fireside chat reinforced several themes at the heart of The Veteran Fund’s strategy: transformative companies are increasingly emerging from unconventional networks, while technologies spanning AI, autonomy, advanced manufacturing, space, cybersecurity, and critical infrastructure are becoming inseparable from America’s economic and national security.
Jack’s perspective also underscored the importance of differentiated access and networks, validating our belief that The Veteran Fund’s combination of veteran leadership, proprietary deal flow, world-class LPs, operators, and strategic relationships can become an increasingly powerful advantage as we build an enduring investment firm.
🇺🇸 THE FUTURE OF AEROSPACE AT NATILUS HQ
The Veteran Fund LPs got an up-close look at the future of aerospace with a visit to Natilus. Natilus (Fund I) is developing autonomous, blended-wing-body aircraft designed to transform the economics and capabilities of air freight.
Inside the hangar, the Natilus team shared a powerful update on the company and its vision for the future of flight, alongside interactive exhibits including flight simulators that brought that future to life.
Watch our Summit event coverage by Fox 5 News San Diego here.
🇺🇸 KEYNOTE FROM TUCKER “CINCO” HAMILTON
Tucker “Cinco” Hamilton, an F-35 test pilot and former Chief of AI Test and Operations for the Department of the Air Force, took the stage to share his perspective on the rapidly accelerating convergence of AI and autonomy.
After highlighting the power of these emerging technologies, Cinco also emphasized that as technology becomes more capable, we cannot lose sight of the essential role of human judgment, leadership, and accountability in how these systems are designed, deployed, and trusted. He received a thunderous standing ovation from our LPs.
🇺🇸 FIGHTER PILOT FLIGHTS OVER SAN DIEGO
Our community had the opportunity to take to the skies over San Diego with LP Lieutenant Colonel Josh “Cabo” Gunderson, an F-35 fighter pilot and CEO of GTG Energy.
Investors were thrilled to have the opportunity to end the day with barrel rolls over the Pacific. We’re grateful for the opportunity to continue providing unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences for our community.
🇺🇸 AN EVENING TO REMEMBER
For the closing evening, we gathered at the University Club for dinner, conversation, and time together away from the presentations.
Some of the most valuable moments at a Summit happen between the scheduled events. They are the conversations over dinner, the unexpected introductions, and the relationships that continue long after everyone goes home.
The General Partners held an “ask me anything” panel and shared insights into the next chapter of the firm.
🇺🇸 AMERICAN ABUNDANCE
GP Ryan Micheletti closed the evening with a keynote on the deeper purpose behind our work at The Veteran Fund, and what we believe America must build toward next: American Abundance.
Two hundred and fifty years ago, America gave humanity something extraordinary: a system built on the idea that free people should have the liberty to pursue their potential. That liberty unleashed an unprecedented wave of innovation, prosperity, and human progress.
Now, as AI, robotics, space, and other transformative technologies reshape civilization, we face a new question: What kind of future will we build with them?
Ryan explores why liberty is the foundation of human flourishing, why technology must remain rooted in freedom, and why the next era of American Abundance will depend on the choices we make today.
It is a vision for the next 250 years of America, and a challenge to every one of us: What will you do with your liberty?
🇺🇸 THE HONOR FOUNDATION’S SWIM FOR SOF
The Veteran Fund sponsored a team at The Honor Foundation’s sixth annual Swim for SOF, where Justin and LPs Kaci and Josh swam 3.3 miles from the Hotel Del Coronado to the USS Midway to support the veteran and special operations communities.
It was a fitting way to close the Summit: Over $500,000 was raised, honoring the people who have spent their lives defending the freedoms that make everything we are building possible.
🇺🇸 THIS IS THE VETERAN FUND
The Veteran Fund is building a 100-year institution rooted in bold leadership, deep purpose, and unmatched resilience.
Our mission is to back the people and technologies that will strengthen America, expand human potential, and build the next era of American Abundance.
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who joined us for the Summit, and to the founders, investors, and partners whose support continues to drive The Veteran Fund forward.
If you've been following our journey, we'd love to have you alongside us.
Join The Veteran Fund’s mission to secure American Abundance.
Connect with The Veteran Fund team here
The Veteran Fund General Partners: Ryan Micheletti, Lisa Sutton Gunderson, Justin Nahama, Mike Sherbakov
