Full Name
Greg Coleman
Job Title
Principal
Company
National Security Innovation Capital (NSIC), Department of Defense
Speaker Bio
Gregory Coleman is a Principal at National Security Innovation Capital (NSIC), the Defense Department program that funds dual-use hardware startups. In this role, he leads the department’s investments in autonomy and energy and advises the development of strategies to identify the technology needs of the Department of Defense.
Greg has 30 years of leadership experience in the public and private sectors and is a respected leader in the startup ecosystem. He led his company, Sworkit Health from concept to a market leader in the digital health industry. Sworkit was identified as one of, “2017’s 10 Most Innovative Fitness Companies” by Fast Company and has been featured in hundreds of publications and channels across health, fitness, lifestyle, and business, including ABC’s Shark Tank, CNN’s Tech for Good, The Wall Street Journal, and Sports Illustrated, where it was named one of the best fitness apps for 2023.
Previously, Greg worked with the National Security Innovation Network (NSIN), where he founded the Acceleration Portfolio (now Venture Portfolio), bringing early-stage startups, venture capital, and the defense industry together to solve some of the most pressing strategic problems for the Department of Defense. In this role, Greg funded 60 companies that subsequently raised over $200 MM in venture capital and secured an additional $300 MM in government contracts in a three-year period. He led Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) contracting efforts that enabled dozens of technology startups to get on contract with the U.S. Government for the first time. Additionally, he spearheaded startup pitch events and partnerships with the TechStars and Mass Challenge accelerators, further facilitating and deepening the partnership between the technology industry and the Department of Defense.
Greg is a retired Air Force Colonel who served on both active duty and in the National Guard. He is a Command Pilot with over 3,500 flight hours and 60+ combat and combat support missions in the Middle East and Balkans. Mr. Coleman was a Squadron Commander, worked in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and commanded one of the first missions in support of the 2005 national response to Hurricane Katrina.
He also serves on several boards, including the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce and Leadership Montgomery. He is also a former youth soccer and basketball coach. Greg earned a Master of Business Administration in Finance from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and also holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the United States Air Force Academy.
Greg has 30 years of leadership experience in the public and private sectors and is a respected leader in the startup ecosystem. He led his company, Sworkit Health from concept to a market leader in the digital health industry. Sworkit was identified as one of, “2017’s 10 Most Innovative Fitness Companies” by Fast Company and has been featured in hundreds of publications and channels across health, fitness, lifestyle, and business, including ABC’s Shark Tank, CNN’s Tech for Good, The Wall Street Journal, and Sports Illustrated, where it was named one of the best fitness apps for 2023.
Previously, Greg worked with the National Security Innovation Network (NSIN), where he founded the Acceleration Portfolio (now Venture Portfolio), bringing early-stage startups, venture capital, and the defense industry together to solve some of the most pressing strategic problems for the Department of Defense. In this role, Greg funded 60 companies that subsequently raised over $200 MM in venture capital and secured an additional $300 MM in government contracts in a three-year period. He led Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) contracting efforts that enabled dozens of technology startups to get on contract with the U.S. Government for the first time. Additionally, he spearheaded startup pitch events and partnerships with the TechStars and Mass Challenge accelerators, further facilitating and deepening the partnership between the technology industry and the Department of Defense.
Greg is a retired Air Force Colonel who served on both active duty and in the National Guard. He is a Command Pilot with over 3,500 flight hours and 60+ combat and combat support missions in the Middle East and Balkans. Mr. Coleman was a Squadron Commander, worked in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and commanded one of the first missions in support of the 2005 national response to Hurricane Katrina.
He also serves on several boards, including the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce and Leadership Montgomery. He is also a former youth soccer and basketball coach. Greg earned a Master of Business Administration in Finance from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and also holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the United States Air Force Academy.
Speaking At
