Surf Brigade Rides the Wave to Victory at MCON 2025 & OVER $40K GIVEN TO MILITARY-CONNECTED FOUNDERS AT MCON 2025
When Kevin Laliberte took the stage at Warrior Rising’s MCON 2025 Business Shower, he wasn’t just pitching a company — he was sharing a calling.
As the founder of Surf Brigade LLC and the Surf Brigade Foundation, Kevin is using entrepreneurship as a vehicle for service. His two ventures work hand-in-hand: Surf Brigade manufactures American-made surf equipment and military-inspired apparel, while the Foundation channels proceeds from every purchase into surf-therapy and veteran-resilience programs.
Before launching Surf Brigade, Kevin served 23 years in the United States Air Force as a Special Operations Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC), completing nine combat deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Africa. His final post placed him among the first Chief Master Sergeants selected to stand up the U.S. Space Force — a role that defined his career of precision, leadership, and adaptability.
Today, that same mindset drives his work along the Florida coast, where he lives with his wife and two children. Through Surf Brigade, he continues his lifelong commitment to serve — this time through waves instead of warfare.
At MCON 2025, Kevin’s clarity of purpose and authenticity resonated with judges and peers alike. Surf Brigade earned the $20,000 Warrior Rising Business Shower Grant, which will be reinvested directly into the company to expand production, outreach, and community impact.
After the event, Kevin reflected on what the experience meant to him — and how mentorship shaped his path:
“Years ago, I was teaching a rifle and pistol course when a young Combat Controller kept bragging about how tight his shot group was. After a round of drills, we walked downrange and he proudly called me over to show off his grouping — which was tight… but he’d shot the wrong target.
It created the teaching opportunity for us to discuss the critical difference between being precise and being accurate.
I walked into this weekend with a pretty tight shot group, but it would’ve been off target. I really appreciate you helping me make corrections and bring it all together.”
That reflection captured the heart of what Warrior Rising stands for — guidance, growth, and the power of community to help founders stay on target.
“This grant is incredibly important for Surf Brigade,” Kevin added, “but this process has been just as important for me.”
Kevin Laliberte’s story is a reminder that precision matters, but purpose is what gives direction. With the support of the Warrior Rising network, Surf Brigade is poised to keep creating waves — in business, in the veteran community, and in every life touched by its mission.
Learn more and support the mission at surfbrigade.com
About Warrior Rising
Founded in 2015, Warrior Rising is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to transforming veterans into successful entrepreneurs. The organization provides veterans with the tools, mentorship, and resources they need to launch and grow their businesses. Warrior Rising has helped create and fund over 100 veteran-owned businesses, and since inception, has assisted more than 30,000 with is programs, and continues to expand its impact through its innovative Veteran Business Showers. For more information about Warrior Rising and its initiatives, please visit our website at: www.WarriorRising.org and connect with us on Linkedin and check out some amazing stories on our Youtube Channel.
Thank you to our incredible sponsors who made MCON 2025 possible:
Veteran Benefits Guide
Fastenal
Patriot Mobile
Black Rifle Coffee Company
Amplifying voices and empowering military-connected founders to find their purpose after service.
