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VetsinTech's 2025 Startup Pitch Competition: A Celebration of Veteran Innovation

On August 4, 2025, VetsinTech, a prominent nonprofit dedicated to empowering U.S. military veterans and military spouses through technology, revealed its semi-finalists for the much-anticipated 2025 Startup Pitch Competition. This annual event, now in its fifth year, serves as a platform to showcase a variety of innovative ideas from early-stage startups founded by military veterans and their spouses.

A Competitive Arena for Veteran Entrepreneurs

The 2025 competition has drawn attention from industry experts and investors alike, highlighting the entrepreneurial spirit of veterans who are making significant strides in the tech industry. The competition culminates in a live pitch event happening on August 12, 2025, at the San Francisco office of a16z, where five finalists will have the opportunity to present their business ideas to a distinguished panel of judges, vying for cash prizes totaling up to $25,000.

Unsung Heroes of the Tech World

This year’s finalists are leading the charge in various sectors, showcasing their innovative approaches to addressing critical challenges:

1. Deepinvent.AI: This startup offers an AI-driven engine that facilitates the rapid transformation of ideas into intellectual property, significantly impacting industries such as semiconductor, aerospace, and automotive. Backed by a substantial investment from Antler, Deepinvent.AI is reshaping the patent development landscape, aiding companies in securing their innovations more efficiently.

2. Entropy Robotics: A company that specializes in edge machine learning solutions tailored for small robots and autonomous systems. This venture is making waves in agricultural tech and industrial automation, with a focus on compliance with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Entropy Robotics aims to integrate AI with robotic efficiency for real-world applications.

3. Quivly AI: This platform is designed for post-sales teams, providing intelligent agents that enhance customer success and retention. With established clients such as Redis and Upflex, Quivly AI demonstrates a robust market presence and validation in a competitive landscape.

4. WorkUp: An AI-powered hiring marketplace, WorkUp targets both B2B and B2C markets, achieving impressive sales figures exceeding $500,000. Its partnerships with top universities like USC and UCLA affirm its influence in the talent acquisition field, revolutionizing recruitment processes through intelligent matching.

5. Yuzi Care: An innovative postpartum care platform leveraging AI technology to connect new mothers with specialized care providers. With $150,000 in revenue generated, Yuzi Care caters to a significant gap in maternal health support by offering personalized assistance during the postpartum period.

The Vision of VetsinTech

Katherine Webster, the Founder and CEO of VetsinTech, expressed her pride in the innovative contributions of veteran entrepreneurs, stating, "Veterans and military spouses continue to prove they're not just ready to lead in tech – they're already building the future. This competition showcases bold ideas and tangible impacts that veteran founders are creating."

The selection panel will evaluate each startup on various criteria such as innovation, product-market fit, potential impact, and alignment with VetsinTech’s mission. The competition does not only represent a chance to win substantial cash prizes but also offers invaluable mentorship and networking opportunities.

Recognizing Excellence with Cash Prizes

The winners of the VetsinTech 2025 Pitch Competition will be awarded cash prizes that recognize their hard work and innovative solutions:

• - 1st Place: $25,000
• - 2nd Place: $10,000
• - 3rd Place: $5,000

Rhett Jeppson, Executive Director of J.P. Morgan Commercial Banking, noted, "Military experience develops exceptional leaders who bring discipline, strategic thinking, and resilience to the startup ecosystem. This year’s extraordinary finalists demonstrate that Veteran founders aren't just participating in the innovation economy; they're also actively working to solve some of society's biggest challenges."

A Long-Standing Commitment to Veterans

Over the last decade, VetsinTech has played a pivotal role in nurturing veteran entrepreneurs through various initiatives, including startup bootcamps, hackathons, and dedicated mentorship programs. The annual pitch competition is just one aspect of their broader commitment to fostering veteran entrepreneurship and innovation within the tech sector.

About VetsinTech: Founded and based in San Francisco, VetsinTech is a national, nonpartisan nonprofit that focuses solely on transitioning veterans into technology careers. With a vast network of over 115,000 veterans and 24 chapters nationwide, VetsinTech harnesses the resources of the technology ecosystem to support veterans returning from active duty, providing tailored programs in education, employment, and entrepreneurship. Learn more at www.vetsintech.co.