Upgrading the Transition: Tony Stephenson and NautiQ AI’s Mission to Empower Veterans
Founded by Navy veteran Tony Stephenson, NautiQ.AI is an AI-powered SaaS platform designed to modernize the transition of veterans into civilian careers. The company was established after Tony experienced firsthand the inefficiencies of the DoD's Transition Assistance Program (TAP). NautiQ.AI aims to bridge the gap between government systems, employers, and veterans through a unified digital ecosystem.
Tony had already begun his journey as a solo founder, but entering the Launchpad COLA Incubator proved to be a pivotal moment – it’s been a game changer for him.
The Critical Challenge: Underemployment and Outdated Systems
Tony’s mission is deeply rooted in a critical national issue. Currently, 65% of veterans are underemployed. This struggle is compounded by the fact that the DoD’s transition program has not been updated since 1991, despite the $77 million the Department of Defense spends on it annually. Tony’s goal is to update this outdated system and help veterans transition into their next career.
Tony, who broke into cybersecurity himself, is focused on helping veterans transition into six-figure tech careers.
NautiQ.AI: The AI-Powered Career Roadmap
NautiQ.AI is working to bring clarity and dignity to the veteran transition process. The platform uses artificial intelligence to analyze a veteran’s experience and match it to civilian careers.
The application, currently in beta, is designed to help veterans:
Translate military experience into powerful civilian resumes.
Match veterans to careers that fit who they are.
Simplify interview prep with real-time coaching.
Build a community that reminds veterans they are not alone.
The core service allows veterans to enter their military background (MOS, rank, clearance level) and receive a personalized AI-powered career roadmap in under two minutes. This roadmap includes their top 3 career matches, civilian salary range, and recommended certifications needed to be competitive.
Launchpad COLA: Structure, Connections, and the 7 AM Win
As a non-technical founder, Tony relied heavily on the Launchpad GVL team and the Boyd Innovation Center community for guidance and resources.
The Roadmap and Mentorship
Tony’s biggest immediate benefit was gaining clarity on his path forward. “The best thing that I've taken from this so far is a road map. It’s huge to even know what I should be doing and what I should not be doing". Time is a valueable asset.
Connections for Building the MVP
For a non-technical founder, finding engineering talent is often the biggest barrier. But, Tony has made significant breakthroughs by using AI powered tools and connections from the Launchpad program and BIC community. Access to student talent at the USC, and organizations like the Gamma Club, engineering students who take on MVP builds for companies, remove barriers for a non-technical founder.
Community and Camaraderie
Tony deeply values the culture of support fostered by the Launchpad cohort. The best part of the community aspect is the camaraderie. Everybody's trying to help everybody. From sharing wins to asking questions, he appreciates the non-transactional nature of the Launchpad cohort.
The Perfect Start Time
The intensive Thursday 7 AM sessions might seem challenging, but for Tony, a full-time cybersecurity analyst who starts work at 9 AM, the timing is ideal "7 a.m. perfect for me," he says. The early start "makes me get a win for the day" because he's been productive, made connections, and built traction on his busienss. The morning session time is strategic because you’re getting the best mental energy of the day to put towards your project, as opposed to the end of the work day.
Tony believes that local incubators like Launchpad COLA can be just as valuable as big-name accelerators like Y Combinator.
Come celebrate Tony’s completion of the Launchpad Program, and hear what’s next for him at Launchpad COLA Pitch Night, Thursday, December 18th.
Join the Mission: Support Innovation and Columbia’s Founders
Tony Stephenson and NautiQ.AI represent the dedicated founders being empowered by the Boyd Innovation Center (BIC) and Launchpad COLA. His product is currently in beta, providing an AI-powered career roadmap to veterans.
If you are a veteran looking to translate your experience into civilian clarity, visit the NautiQ.AI to explore the platform.
The growth and momentum of founders like Tony are made possible by the community support systems in place at the Boyd Innovation Center.
Call to Action:
Accelerator Your Founder Journey: If you have a tech-related business idea and are serious about taking the next step, applications for the Launchpad COLA Spring 2026 cohort are now open. The program gives you the structure and support, like the roadmap and connections Tony received, to turn your idea into a launch-ready business. Apply today.
Support the Ecosystem: The Boyd Innovation Center (BIC) is a non-profit dedicated to helping founders build high-growth technology startups. Your donation is an investment in Columbia's future, helping keep programs like Launchpad free and open to entrepreneurs. By contributing, you fund the crucial early stage that transforms ideas into real businesses and creates a collaborative community where innovators thrive.
