On this episode of Beyond Strategy, we are thrilled to welcome Shubhi Mishra, the fearless CEO and Founder of RAFT. Known for its innovative approach to federal contracting, RAFT is revolutionizing how technology and data are used to solve critical government challenges. From systems modernization to advanced data analytics, RAFT has quickly established itself as a leader in the federal market, delivering impactful solutions for mission-critical agencies.

In this inspiring conversation, Shubhi opens up about the leadership principles that have guided her entrepreneurial journey and shares the bold risks she’s taken along the way. From the origins of RAFT to embracing fear as part of her growth strategy, Shubhi reveals how getting comfortable with uncertainty has been pivotal to her success.

We dive into her vision for RAFT, the challenges she set out to solve, and the unique branding that sets her company apart in the competitive GovCon space. Shubhi also discusses the evolving nature of leadership in a growing organization, the cultural “it” factor driving RAFT’s success, and the recent growth capital investment from Washington Harbour Partners.

Whether you're a seasoned leader, an aspiring entrepreneur, or simply curious about the intersection of innovation and leadership, this episode is packed with valuable insights, practical lessons, and a fearless perspective on growth.

Tune in to hear Shubhi’s journey of risk-taking, leadership evolution, and balancing bold ambitions with a personal touch. You won’t want to miss this one!

We sit down with Jonathan Moneymaker, CEO of BlueHalo, a pioneering force in the national security market. Since its inception in 2020, BlueHalo, under the auspices of Arlington Capital, has emerged as a frontrunner in high-stakes arenas, including Space Superiority, Directed Energy, and Cybersecurity, among others. Jonathan, known for his dynamic leadership and commitment to innovation, has masterfully steered BlueHalo by integrating 13 companies into a unified powerhouse. His approach—marked by a hands-on style and an unyielding passion—has accelerated BlueHalo's growth and disrupted the traditional landscape of defense technology.

In our conversation, we'll dive deep into the strategic moves that propelled BlueHalo to the forefront of the national security market, the challenges of bringing diverse companies into a single culture, and Jonathan's philosophy that drives his desire to affect change and align business goals. This episode is not just for professionals in the defense sector, but also for enthusiasts of cutting-edge technology and those fascinated by the art of leadership. It offers insights into one of the most influential figures in today's defense technology sphere, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in these topics.

Tune in to understand how vision is transformed into impact and how leadership can extend beyond business metrics to inspire and innovate across an entire industry.

2023 M&A in the National Capital region and the defense & government market has been driven by private equity. In this episode, we sit down with the leaders of one of the game-changing private equity firms in the market – Bluestone Investment Partners. Joining us are John Allen, Managing Partner, and Eric Wolking, Partner, to discuss the creation of this differentiated firm and how they are investing in the Defense & Government market.

The Masterminds behind the Vectrus – Vertex merger, a game-changing deal that formed a new publicly traded company, V2X. This merger created a formidable force in the industry and established a new corporate headquarters right here in the heart of the national capital region.

V2X is the leading provider of critical mission solutions, primarily focusing on serving defense clients across 343 locations and an astounding 45 countries and territories worldwide. With its vast global footprint, V2X delivers fully converged solutions throughout the mission lifecycle, empowering clients to achieve their goals rapidly and precisely. Boasting approximately 15,400 talented employees, the company offers an impressive suite of technology and service capabilities to support readiness and modernization initiatives worldwide. From operations and logistics to aerospace, training, and technology markets, V2X caters to national security, defense, civilian, and international clients with a comprehensive array of integrated solutions and critical services.

Joining us are the architects behind V2X's tremendous success: Chuck Prow, Chief Executive Officer, Susan Lynch, Chief Financial Officer, and Sue Deagle, Chief Growth & Client Service Officer. They will share their unique insights, challenges, and triumphs that led to the formation of V2X and its impact on the national capital region and beyond.

Tune in to this episode of Beyond Strategy as we explore the driving forces behind the Vectrus – Vertex merger and the remarkable journey that led to the creation of V2X. Don't miss this opportunity to gain exclusive access to the minds of industry visionaries and discover the transformative power of deals in the national capital region.

Episode 10 marks the final episode of our three-part series on how businesses are formed in the government contracting market. In this episode, we delve into an intriguing path to success - the private equity buy and build, with Robert Miller, the Chief Executive Officer of SilverEdge Government Solutions (“SilverEdge”), a portfolio company of Godspeed Capital (“Godspeed”).

SilverEdge is a purpose build provider of cybersecurity, software, and intelligence solutions to U.S. federal government, defense, and intelligence customers. The company was formed through the vision of Godspeed and the management team, as well as the acquisitions of Varen Technologies, Exceptional Software Strategies, Savli Group, QVine, Counter Threat Solutions, and Gardetto Engineering. With a strong focus on innovation and efficiency, they have successfully served numerous government agencies, leaving a lasting impact on the industry.

In this episode, Robert shares how SilverEdge was founded, the strategic role of private equity in its growth, and the advantages it provided in a competitive market. We explore the intricacies of working with private equity investors, integrating six companies in one year, the opportunities and challenges presented, and how they contribute to the long-term vision and expansion of SilverEdge.

Tune in now to gain exclusive knowledge from Robert Miller, the CEO of SilverEdge, as we conclude our series on building a business in the government contracting market.

Part two of our three-part series on building a business in the government contracting market. In this episode, we dive into the second way businesses are formed - the spin-out of an operating business - and speak with Rick Tossavainen, CEO, and Steve Bailey, COO of Dark Wolf Solutions.

Dark Wolf Solutions is an innovative company that spun out from Wolf Den Associates in 2018. They provide cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions to the federal government, helping agencies safeguard their critical systems and data from cyber threats. With their unique approach to cybersecurity and a team of top-tier experts, Dark Wolf Solutions is quickly making a name in the GovCon space.

In this episode, Rick and Steve share their experiences of starting and growing a spin-out company, including the challenges they faced and the lessons they learned along the way. They discuss the unique advantages and disadvantages of the spin-out model and how it differs from other approaches to starting a business.

Whether you're interested in cybersecurity, entrepreneurship, or simply want to learn from successful business leaders, this episode is not to be missed. Tune in now to hear from Rick Tossavainen and Steve Bailey of Dark Wolf Solutions in Episode #9 of our series on building a business in the government contracting market.

Part one of our three-part series on building a business in the government contracting market. In this episode, we explore the first of three ways businesses are built, founder bootstrap led, as we sit down with Olivia Trivisani Bowker, Founder & CEO of Amivero.

In this episode, Olivia shares her experiences and insights on how to build a successful business from the ground up, including the challenges and opportunities she faced as a founder. She also discusses the culture of openness, engagement, empowerment, authenticity, and agility that she has cultivated at Amivero, which has helped her company stand out in a crowded market.

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a GovCon professional, or simply interested in hearing from a successful business leader, this episode offers valuable insights and inspiration. Don't miss out on the opportunity to learn from Olivia Trivisani Bowker's story and the knowledge/tricks of the trade she's acquired along the way. Tune in now to Episode #8 of our series on building a business in the government contracting market.

Jared Shepard is an experienced and innovative industry leader with other twenty years of information technology, federal services, and sales experience. A U.S. Army veteran, Jared is the architect behind two successful businesses, Hypori and Intelligent Waves, and a rapidly expanding non-profit, Warriors Ethos. On this episode of Beyond Strategy, hear is thoughts on leadership, business evolution, and giving back to support others. Jared also shares his background and why he believes non-traditional experience can make great leaders as well as employees.