Inside the Investor Mind: Government, Commercial, and Dual-Use Growth with Bryan Mabry
Tue Feb 03 2026
🧠 Growth Capital Podcast — Episode 62 🧠
What does it really take to build and invest in companies that operate at the intersection of government and commercial markets?
In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, host Justin Dixon sits down with Bryan Mabry, Partner at New North Ventures, to unpack how investors evaluate dual-use businesses, why government revenue alone rarely produces venture-scale outcomes, and where founders often misstep when navigating procurement, accreditation, and product focus.
Bryan brings a rare perspective shaped by time in the CIA, senior government roles, and hands-on startup leadership—offering a clear-eyed look at how capital, access, and operational discipline actually drive success in regulated markets.
🔍 Key topics discussed:
How investors assess government, commercial, and dual-use growth strategies
Why dual-use models can de-risk valuation and revenue volatility
The danger of chasing one-off government funding
When building for the most demanding customer becomes a competitive advantage
Why expertise and access often matter more than capital
🎧 Whether you’re a founder exploring government markets, a VC underwriting complex growth paths, or a PE leader thinking about resilience and scale—this conversation delivers practical insight.
👉 Watch now, subscribe to the channel, and drop a comment with your biggest takeaway.
📩 Connect with Bryan Mabry:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-m-9a02b1100/
Email: brian@newnorthventures.com
🌐 Learn more about New North Ventures: https://www.newnorthventures.com/
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🧠 Growth Capital Podcast — Episode 62 🧠 What does it really take to build and invest in companies that operate at the intersection of government and commercial markets? In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, host Justin Dixon sits down with Bryan Mabry, Partner at New North Ventures, to unpack how investors evaluate dual-use businesses, why government revenue alone rarely produces venture-scale outcomes, and where founders often misstep when navigating procurement, accreditation, and product focus. Bryan brings a rare perspective shaped by time in the CIA, senior government roles, and hands-on startup leadership—offering a clear-eyed look at how capital, access, and operational discipline actually drive success in regulated markets. 🔍 Key topics discussed: How investors assess government, commercial, and dual-use growth strategies Why dual-use models can de-risk valuation and revenue volatility The danger of chasing one-off government funding When building for the most demanding customer becomes a competitive advantage Why expertise and access often matter more than capital 🎧 Whether you’re a founder exploring government markets, a VC underwriting complex growth paths, or a PE leader thinking about resilience and scale—this conversation delivers practical insight. 👉 Watch now, subscribe to the channel, and drop a comment with your biggest takeaway. 📩 Connect with Bryan Mabry: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-m-9a02b1100/ Email: brian@newnorthventures.com 🌐 Learn more about New North Ventures: https://www.newnorthventures.com/