MILCOM Founders Podcast – Episode 2

January 7, 2025

MILCOM Founders Podcast – Episode 2: Blockchain Analytics and Veteran Entrepreneurship with Don Spies

Join host Rod Loges and guest Don Spies as they discuss founding Outrider Analytics, a blockchain analytics company helping trace and identify blockchain activities. Don shares his transition from 13 years in Military Intelligence to entrepreneurship.

In this episode:

Starting Outrider Analytics 15 months ago
Military skills that transfer to business: small team tactics, discipline, planning, and resource management
Overcoming the initial fear of entrepreneurship
Supporting government and private sector clients
Plans for launching Outrider Institute education program

Key takeaways:

Military experience provides valuable business foundations
Starting a business requires personal courage
Many support resources exist for veteran entrepreneurs
The blockchain industry is becoming a validated asset class
Education is crucial for emerging technologies

Guest: Don Spies Founder & CEO of Outrider Analytics, Former U.S. Army Military Intelligence Officer

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-spies/
Business website: https://www.outrideranalytics.com/

Don founded Outrider Analytics to address the growing need for a product- and vendor-agnostic solution in the blockchain analytic ecosystem. Previously, he was the Director of Strategic Initiatives at a blockchain data and software company, where he shaped international policies regarding cryptocurrency adoption and blockchain analytic solutions.

Domestically, he assisted the U.S. Government’s intelligence, defense, and law enforcement communities with identifying, planning, and implementing their blockchain analytic requirements as a part of their exploitation strategy.

Prior to this role, he led both intelligence and cybersecurity teams at the Department of the Treasury and as an Officer in the U.S. Army. A Veteran with experience commanding in a combat environment, Don holds Master’s Degrees from The Eisenhower School of National Security and Resource Strategy and the American Military University.

Looking ahead: Outrider Institute plans to launch within 30 days, offering affordable blockchain analytics education and certification programs, with future plans to accept GI Bill benefits.

The MILCOM Founders Podcast champions and celebrates military community business owners. Each episode brings practical insights and lessons learned from successful veteran entrepreneurs.

Sponsored by: One Degree Financial | www.onedegreefinancial.com

Want to support veteran entrepreneurs? Learn about the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund at https://www.milcomfounders.com/scholarship/

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