In this episode of Ventures and Visionaries, I sit down with Kerry Kulp, co-founder and partner at Velospan, to unpack a story that blends timing, resilience, and a little bit of accidental entrepreneurship. Kerry shares how he went from aspiring police officer to falling into tech in the late 90s — eventually co-founding Velospan the night his previous employer shut down.

Guest Introduction:

Kerry Kulp is the co-founder and partner of Velospan, a technology firm specializing in cybersecurity, mobility, and advanced network services. Starting his career unintentionally in tech, Kerry discovered a natural aptitude for the work and helped build Velospan after his previous company abruptly closed in 2004. Over 21 years later, he’s guided the company through multiple evolutions — from wireless pioneers to cybersecurity innovators — always grounded in curiosity, ownership, and thoughtful risk-taking.

Key Takeaways:

Entrepreneurship often begins by accident. Kerry didn’t plan to enter tech — much less build a company — but readiness meets opportunity when you say yes.

“Not all business is good business.” Fit matters more than revenue, and saying no is a strategic skill.

Risk isn't the enemy — misjudging timing is. Being early can be an advantage… but too early requires patience and education.

Ownership mindset differentiates great team members. Initiative, curiosity, and willingness to raise a hand beat résumé bullet points.

Remote work changed learning forever. In-person presence still accelerates development, visibility, and mentorship in ways digital tools can’t fully replace.

Chapter Markers:

00:00 — Welcome to Season 2, Ventures & Visionaries

00:17 — Introducing guest: Kerry Kulp, co-founder of Velospan

01:00 — Kerry’s unexpected origin story: aiming for law enforcement

01:11 — Falling into tech and discovering a natural talent

01:59 — The early world of mobility and cybersecurity in the late 90s

02:37 — How the shutdown of his employer led directly to starting Velospan

03:55 — Entrepreneurship without the master plan

07:01 — What makes a great team member: ownership and initiative

08:16 — How remote work changed learning and culture

09:59 — Challenges of the next generation entering the workforce

12:19 — Early entrepreneurial signs in Kerry’s life

13:56 — Imposter syndrome and the realities of starting a business

15:07 — Opportunity triage: why timing and fit matter

18:53 — Launching new cyber services too early for market readiness

20:34 — The gap between innovation and buyer budgets

21:51 — Tech history repeating itself: Newton → iPhone → Vision Pro

25:29 — Wireless in the early 2000s: standards, Linksys, and hard lessons

26:30 — Why consumers don’t notice networking tech anymore

Keywords:

Ventures and Visionaries, Mordy Hackel, Kerry Kulp, Velospan, cybersecurity, enterprise mobility, networking technology, entrepreneurship stories, business evolution, tech founders, opportunity triage, risk-taking in business, remote work culture, innovation strategy, early-stage tech markets.