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SAIA Quarterly Event (6/24/2025): Investing at the Nexus of Innovation, National Security, and Government Partnerships

Tuesday, June 24, 2025, 3:30 PM - 6:30 PM PDT

Category: Past Events

SAIA Quarterly Event: 6/24/2025

Investing at the Nexus of Innovation, National Security, and Government Partnerships

Dear SAIA Community,

Join us for an insightful conversation exploring how capital is being deployed into the national security, aerospace, and dual-use technology sectors through innovative public-private investment models. We’ll explore how specialized financing models — such as government contract lending and trusted capital programs — are unlocking growth for high-impact businesses solving critical defense, intelligence, and space-related challenges.

Topics will include underwriting risk in opaque or esoteric sectors, accessing government referrals and Programs of Record, and the strategic advantage of being embedded within the federal innovation ecosystem. Whether you’re interested in direct credit strategies, venture capital, or thematic exposures around defense tech and space infrastructure, this forum will offer a rare window into the inner workings of investing where the stakes — and the impact — are extraordinarily high.

Event Details:

Date: June 24th, 2025

Time:

Registration & Sign up: 3:30PM to 4:00PM

Panel Discussion and Q&A: 4:00PM to 5:15PM

Networking: 5:15PM to 6:30PM

Location:

K&L Gates

925 Fourth Avenue, Suite 2900

Seattle, WA 98104

Cost:

SAIA Members: Free

Non-Members: $50

Open Bar & Heavy Hors-d'oeuvres Included

Click Here To Register

Panel

Christopher Lay

Founding Partner

Leonid Capital Partners

Christopher (Chris) Lay is a Founding Partner at Leonid Capital Partners, and previously a partner at BayView Capital. Prior to his work as a financial services professional, Chris accumulated 15 years of experience in neuroscience including therapeutic drug monitoring at The Scripps Research Institute and fundamental research in ischemic stroke at the University of California. This research led to the authorship of 22 peer-reviewed journal publications, and two fellowships from the University of California and the American Heart and Stroke Association. Chris holds a B.S. in Biology from the College of Idaho, a Ph.D. in Neurobiology from the University of California (Irvine), and an MBA from the University of Southern California. He is the recipient of a University of California Distinguished Fellowship in Neuroscience, an American Heart Association Fellowship in Cerebrovascular Disease, and a Guilford C. Babcock Fellowship in Finance from USC.

Matt Patterson

Managing Director

Stellar Ventures

Matt Patterson is an experienced tech entrepreneur and investor. He currently is a Managing Director at Stellar Ventures. Throughout his career he has raised capital from venture funds, family offices and fund of funds. He has invested in over 75 private companies, built several funds and numerous SPVs, as well as raised and deployed several private credit vehicles. Prior to launching Stellar Ventures Matt founded and served as the CEO of several companies, including a fuel and logistics business, a fintech lending company, and an ad-tech company. Matt has an MA in Sociology and a BA in Economics, both from Stanford University.

Jeremy Hitchcock

General Partner & Co-Founder

New North Ventures

Jeremy is General Partner and Co-Founder of New North Ventures. Before investing fulltime, Jeremy founded critical internet infrastructure company Dyn (acquired by Oracle), cybersecurity company Minim (NASDAQ:MINM ), and is Director at Business Executives for National Security. He has deep expertise in Internet, cyber security following the landmark Mirai attack and Wikileaks fallout (former customer). He was previously an active angel investor investing in over 50 companies, is a commercial pilot, and founded a book store in Manchester, NH. Some of his non-profit work has included workforce development including serving at a trustee at his alma mater Worcester Polytechnic Institute and as a trustee at Southern New Hampshire University and the Community College System of New Hampshire.

Moderator

Jay Levesque

Partner & Co-Founder

Basecamp Wealth Advisors

Jay Levesque is a partner and co-founder of Basecamp Wealth Advisors, where he serves as Chief Investment Officer. He brings 15 years of experience in investment and wealth management, with deep expertise in alternative investments and a long track record advising ultra-high-net-worth families. Throughout his career, Jay has worked with private clients through institutional-quality platforms, delivering sophisticated investment solutions tailored to their needs. Jay holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation and earned dual B.S. degrees in Finance and Mathematical Sciences from Oregon State University, graduating magna cum laude. He currently serves on the board of the Seattle Alternative Investment Association and is a member of both the CFA Society of Seattle and the CFA Society of Idaho.