West Point Entrepreneur Summit Draws 150 Grads Back to Campus

About 150 United States Military Academy graduates, veteran entrepreneurs, business leaders, and investors from across the globe gathered September 14-16 for the West Point Entrepreneur Summit — the first time since 2019 the event returned to West Point itself before moving on to Manhattan.

Speakers and fireside chats opened the Summit in Ike's Riverside Café at Eisenhower Hall under the theme "Forged in Tradition, Innovating the Future." France Hoang '95, founder and CEO of Boodlebox, told the audience to embrace rather than fear failure, calling it an entrepreneur's secret weapon. Featured guest speaker Tyler Merritt '06, CEO of Nine Line Apparel, delivered a talk titled "From Mission to Market: Translating Military Leadership into Entrepreneurship," addressing the distinct experience of being both a USMA graduate and a founder.

Two fireside chats followed. COL Brad McCoy '01, USMA's vice dean for engagement and research, spoke with Erin Helle '09, DBA, executive director of strategic development and partnerships for the West Point Association of Graduates, in a conversation moderated by WPAOG Distinguished Graduate Kathy Hildreth '83. The discussion centered on the growing connection between the Hudson Valley Program and West Point's Innovation Hub — and how the academy's talent, research, and entrepreneurial network can generate new opportunities for Highland Falls and the broader Hudson Valley. A second chat featured Chris Lowrance, deputy head of USMA's Electrical Engineering and Computer Science department, on artificial intelligence, human judgment, and the future of innovation. Each chat closed with audience Q&As.

The evening networking reception and Old Grad quick-pitch event ran at Westy's, a restaurant and pub owned by two West Point graduates and launched with the help of the Hudson Valley Program.

The Summit then shifted to New York City for two days of speakers, fireside chats, and breakout sessions. Keynotes came from Doug Philippone '97, general partner and co-founder of Snowpoint Ventures; Trey Owen '94, founder of United Fitness Partners; and Mark Clouse '90, president of the Washington Commanders. Investors and banks stayed on site throughout for funding and deal "huddles."

On September 16, the Pitch Competition put entrepreneurs in front of a panel of military veteran venture capitalists and C-suite executives. Wayne Culbreth '93, co-founder and CEO of Kinetiqs, a defense tech AI company, took the top prize.

Matthew Filbert '17, attending his second Entrepreneur Summit, illustrates the pipeline the event serves. An Airborne-qualified Army Ranger and combat diver whose assignments included logistics officer, platoon leader, and executive officer with the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, he moved into software engineering before founding Reunion Baths almost two years ago. The venture, set to open in Brooklyn in Fall 2027, offers a space where people can disconnect from technology, slow down, and reconnect with one another.

"We need more West Point entrepreneurs," Filbert said. "We're a great pipeline for entrepreneurship that's kind of untapped in some ways." He credited the academy's bonds with pushing him from a 9-to-5 job to business ownership: "I think the military and West Point encourages courage and commitment."

Filbert said networking events like the Summit are invaluable to startups. Even for a narrow, segmented venture like his, hearing other founders discuss their businesses helps, he noted. Being around other entrepreneurs, he added, "normalizes" taking risks, quitting a job, and pursuing a passion project. "Activating the West Point network, particularly through this conference, to get advice, investment, and advisors, is so important for starting a business," Filbert said. "And it pays dividends to be a part of it. It's easy to kind of forget how powerful this community is, but every time I've chosen to tap back into it, it's given me so much."

The association is not limiting its efforts to the annual gathering. WPAOG runs West Point Entrepreneur Roadshow events year-round, extending educational outreach to graduates in their local regions and providing resources for those transitioning out of the military into other industries. This year's slate has included Roadshows in Colorado Springs, Colorado; Mountain View, California; and West Point–New York City. Upcoming stops include Tulsa, Oklahoma; Memphis, Tennessee; a second West Point event; Houston, Texas; and Baltimore during Army-Navy Football Weekend — a schedule that signals WPAOG intends to keep building the graduate entrepreneur network between summits.