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