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Director of Strategic Initiatives
Applied Research Institute
As director of strategic initiatives at the Applied Research Institute, Jeron Peoples connects innovators in national security technology with venture capitalists. It’s a role that reflects two of his passions: helping people and advancing technology. He also is a managing partner with United Venture Partners Inc., an early-stage-venture advisory firm. He is president of the Indiana chapter of the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International. He is an adviser at venture studio High Alpha. He worked for the nonprofit Sports Tech HQ, where he persuaded seven sports technology companies to move to Indiana. He worked at Rolls-Royce, where he helped generate $2 billion in revenue pipeline contributions. At the institute, he has spearheaded the private capital side of Silicon Crossroads, ARI’s microelectronics hub. “My biggest smiles are when I have the opportunity to help a founder or business operator solve a difficult problem or connect them with someone that can help them solve that problem,” Peoples said. “From putting their company up for sale, fundraising, business strategy … I believe my calling is to just help.”
Getting here: A start in the graduate rotation program at Rolls-Royce led to a nearly seven-year career there. Various other jobs included roles at Sports Tech HQ, High Alpha, AUVSI Indiana and, now, the Applied Research Institute, a nonprofit that fosters collaboration among government, industry and academia to promote national security and technological innovation.
First job: Chick-fil-A cow
Givebacks: member of the Irsay Family YMCA at CityWay advisory board, mentor with DivInc
Meaningful moment: Being appointed to vice president of sales at Rolls-Royce. “It was the beginning of COVID, and I was the youngest VP at Rolls-Royce defense at the time. Being appointed and closing my first deal was the moment that I felt I could really go the distance and become a great leader. I still have a long way to go, but my approach is to stay in a learning mode and never assume I have it all figured out.”•
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