For two years, Bunker Labs’ Transition Podcast has been demystifying the entrepreneurial journey for veterans and military spouses. Thanks to generous support from MetLife Foundation, host “Iron” Mike Steadman is able to reach out to real entrepreneurs and talk about their triumphs, tragedies, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. He also gets the opportunity to sit down with people uniquely positioned to discuss a wide range of entrepreneur-related subjects, including Venture Capital (VC). If there’s an aspect of entrepreneurship that needs to be demystified, it’s what VC can do for you, who actually needs it, and who venture capitalists want to work with. The following is a round-up of Transition Podcast episodes exploring all things Venture Capital.

Paul Capon, Managing Partner at LunaCap Ventures

Listen Now: A Crash Course in Venture Capital Host “Iron” Mike Steadman sits down with Venture Capitalist Paul Capon to break down everything venture capital over a five episode podcast miniseries! This extended conversation takes the time to really dig in with Paul and break down venture capital into digestible chunks that define the differences between a small business and a startup, the pros and cons of venture capital and venture debt, how to make your business more appealing to VC investment, and how to sit on the other side of the table, and become a venture capitalist yourself!

Rachel Hobert, Partner at Hivers and Strivers

Listen Now: We Invest Exclusively in Military Veterans Around since 2011, Hivers and Strivers is an early-stage investment fund that exclusively invests in military veterans. Rachel shares best practices for those seeking investment with H&S, and what H&S can do for veteran entrepreneurs in the Bunker Labs ecosystem.

Ryan Micheletti, Co-Founder & General Partner at The Veteran Fund

Listen Now: Leveraging a Global Startup Ecosystem to Fund & Scale the Next Generation of Military-Led Startups This Silicon Valley venture capital firm invests in high-growth startups with an emphasis on veteran-led dual-use technology firms. Ryan discusses growing up in Silicon Valley, the origins of the veteran startup ecosystem, and what he hopes to accomplish with The Veteran Fund.

Derren Burrell, Air Force Veteran, Founder & President of Veterans Venture Capital

Listen Now: Why Military Veterans Make Great Entrepreneurs Derren Burrell is an Air Force veteran turned venture capitalist, and the founder of Veterans Venture Capital, a growth-equity investment fund and firm focused on veteran businesses. Derren discusses why he believes in veteran entrepreneurship, the investment thesis of his firm, and how community and collaboration are vital to the VC space.

Brandon Shelton, Army Veteran and Founder & Managing Partner of Tasks Force Capital

Listen Now: The Cost of Doing Business Entrepreneurship takes guts, sacrifice, and the willingness to endure—qualities Army veteran Brandon Shelton knows veterans have to spare. Tasks Force Capital is an early-stage venture capital firm investing in service-driven, high-performing, commercially-tested military and national security startups. They also want those startups to be led by veterans with a passion for solving real-world issues with technology and new ideas.

About The Transition Podcast: Demystifying Entrepreneurship & Small Business Ownership 

“Iron” Mike Steadman interviews veterans and military spouses with businesses and startups from all industries and stages. Listen each week to dive deep into their stories and lessons learned. New episodes drop every Thursday. Sign up for the newsletter and never miss an episode. The Transition is made possible from our generous supporter, MetLife Foundation.

About the Transition Podcast Host “Iron” Mike Steadman

“Iron” Mike Steadman interviews veterans and military spouses with businesses and startups from all industries and stages. Listen each week to dive deep into their stories and lessons learned. New episodes drop every Thursday. Sign up for the newsletter and never miss an episode. “Iron” Mike Steadman the Founder and CEO of IRONBOUND Boxing, a nonprofit that provides free amateur boxing training, entrepreneur education, and employment opportunities for Newark youth & young adults. He also runs IRONBOUND Media, a podcast production company that produces branded podcasts for veteran-owned businesses, and recently released his first book, Black Veteran Entrepreneur: Validate Your Business Model, Build Your Brand, and Step into Greatness. Mike is a three-time National Collegiate Boxing Champion from the United States Naval Academy and former Marine Corps Infantry Officer, with deployments to Afghanistan and Japan/Philippines. He’s currently a Hoover Veteran Fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution, a public policy think tank promoting the principles of individual, economic, and political freedom.