When Nathaniel Wade launched a cyber security and data analytics business, he had a good idea of exactly who he wanted on his team.
The U.S. Marine Corps veteran had spent a decade in active duty, serving multiple tours during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
So, he set out to build a team primarily of other veterans because he knew, at least to an extent, the work ethic they bring to a job.
“There is an implicit trust going on there,” Wade said. “Everybody contributes and takes care of their responsibilities, understands the mission and requirements. You need a certain pedigree of individual.”
Nighthawk Cyber now employs a team of 15 mostly veterans for its work. The company recently celebrated the launch of an artificial intelligence-enabled product that leverages emerging technology for its clients.
The product, called DataRuck, provides analysis and insights into data collected by wearables and IOT-based figures.
Nighthawk launched in Virginia in 2021 but the timeline wasn’t ideal, Wade said.
A historic pandemic had affected most businesses.
However, the fact that Florida had less-restrictive policies in place encouraged the team to relocate during the pandemic.
In addition, the move opened the company up to the region’s military organizations.
The team quickly learned of UCF’s Business Incubation Program.
Nighthawk Cyber, a service-disabled veteran-owned small business, then became involved more closely following a formal move into the space two months ago.
“It has been a great relationship,” he said. Business partner “Seth was acutely aware of what the incubator offers beforehand. We wanted to get a little bit more visibility in the ecosystem and better proximity with our work.”
As Nighthawk has grown, the duo has regularly thought back to their military service. Seth was a cavalry scout officer for the U.S. Army from 2007 to 2014.
Nathaniel, meanwhile, served from 1998 to 2008.
The lessons learned there have transferred directly to entrepreneurship, Nathaniel Wade said.
“Every leadership trait and principle the military instilled in us is used daily,” he said. “We credit our military experience as the primary reason for our business success.”
Nighthawk Cyber counts the U.S. Army as one of its biggest customers.
It’s another example of the idea of giving back for Wade.
“Not every strategy will work nor will every goal be accomplished and certainly nothing comes easy,” he said. “However, you mustn’t focus on failures but celebrate small victories.”
Nighthawk Cyber exists in an ultra-competitive space.
The launch of a product that is reliant on artificial intelligence illustrates another value Wade takes seriously: being aware of changes in technology.
“Staying relevant and current is like breathing for us,” he said. “It’s the nature of this business. If you are not evolving, you’re dying. I don’t’ think [artificial intelligence] is anything new. Like every other tech, you adapt, incorporate and stay aware of it.”
