From the Court to the C-Suite: Matt Raydo’s Journey from Maryland Hoops to a Major GovCon Exit

Just months after the successful sale of HUBZone and Cybersecurity leader Valiant Solutions — a leading Cybersecurity firm he founded and led for nearly two decades — Matt Raydo isn’t slowing down. A former Maryland Terrapin under legendary coach Gary Williams, Matt brings the same grit and determination that earned him a spot on the court at the highest collegiate level to everything he touches. His story of building a GovCon business from scratch, weathering years of uncertainty, and ultimately driving toward acquisition is one that resonates with CEOs and entrepreneurs alike.

In this episode, we sit down with Matt to talk about the challenges of leadership, the reality of long-haul growth, and what’s next. From launching the Shell Shock TBT team that unites Maryland basketball alumni, to building a state-of-the-art basketball facility in Raleigh, to continuing his work as Executive Director of the HUBZone Technology Initiative, Matt remains focused on mission, community, and impact.

Whether you're in the boardroom, on the court, or looking for inspiration to push through tough seasons — this conversation delivers.

Listen now.

Links to items discussed during the episode:

• 🏀 Raydo Basketball Lab (RBL): https://www.raydobasketball.org/
• 💰 TBT - The Basketball Tournament: https://tbthoops.com/
• 🐢 Shell Shock - Maryland's TBT Team: https://www.shellshocktbt.com/
• 🌐 HTI - HubZone Technology Initiative: https://www.hubzonetech.org/
  
  

To connect with Matt, visit his LinkedIn page here.

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