Built by veterans,
for veterans.
Prize exists to prove that impact and sustainability can scale together. We're building trusted infrastructure for veteran transition.
Our Vision
A world where all enjoy the freedom to grow.
Prize believes that growth -- personal, professional, and emotional -- should not be limited by confusing systems, fragmented information, or misaligned incentives.
Our Mission
Empowering veterans with self-awareness and agency to thrive.
Prize exists to restore clarity, confidence, and momentum during one of the most tumultuous periods of a veteran's life.
The system is broken
Each year, approximately 200,000 service members leave the U.S. Armed Forces. Despite tens of thousands of organizations trying to help, veterans face a fragmented, overwhelming, and opaque ecosystem.
The Veteran Experience
- •Search across thousands of disconnected resources
- •Evaluate credibility without reliable signals
- •Self-diagnose needs without guidance
- •Manage outreach and follow-up alone
The Organization Experience
- •Difficulty reaching the right veterans at the right time
- •Low-quality or misaligned referrals
- •Inefficient intake workflows
- •Limited outcome visibility and impact proof
Prize exists to realign the system.
Our Values
Not simply aspirational statements
Honesty
We do the right thing, even when it's challenging. We do not exaggerate outcomes, inflate claims, or hide incentives.
Love
We lead with empathy for veterans, partners, and each other. Compassion informs design, communication, and decision-making.
Growth
We strive to be better every day and help others do the same. Progress matters more than perfection.
Collaboration
We believe the veteran ecosystem works best when organizations cooperate rather than compete. Prize is a connector, not a gatekeeper.
Excellence
We build systems we are proud of. Quality is enforced, not implied.
Leadership
Built by those who've been there
Prize is built by technologists and operators, including former service members who have personally navigated the military-to-civilian transition.
Dan "PJ" Kohli
CEO
Former USMC F/A-18 pilot and Senior Software Engineer with 7+ years at Meta. Dan has lived the military-to-civilian transition firsthand and built Prize to give veterans the structure, clarity, and support he wished he had. Pilot mindset, builder execution, human-first leadership.
Jeffrey Washko
COO
Creative operator with a deep background in design and product execution. Lead Product Designer at TherapyNotes and Former CX Lead at Humana, Jeff brings clarity to complexity and turns vision into systems that actually scale. Obsessed with usability, momentum, and doing things the right way.
Ryan Loper
CFO
Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineer by training with experience at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Atlas Holdings. Former U.S. Marine aircraft mechanic who brings analytical rigor, financial discipline, and long-term thinking to Prize. Calm under pressure, numbers you can trust.
Samantha "Fergie" Fergus
Branding and Community Engagement Lead
Creative Director at F3RGI3 with 5+ years of experience in brand and product design. Former U.S. Navy supply chain manager and pastry chef turned designer. Fergie leads Prize's brand and community engagement -- bringing clarity, empathy, and heart to how veterans experience and connect with the platform.
Nicholas Kwong
Senior Software Engineer
Experienced full-stack engineer with 9+ years at Northrop Grumman and a Master's in Computer Science from USC. Co-owner of Newton Education Center. Nick brings deep technical rigor, reliability, and long-term thinking -- building systems that are secure, scalable, and built to last.
Michael Barone
Product Advisor
Founder and CEO of MTMPRO (SaaS) and former owner of Sofios Custom Clothiers. PMP, PMI-ACP, and NN/g UX certified. Michael helps Prize build products that customers actually love; bridging strategy, execution, and user experience with a sharp eye for what works in the real world.
Cal Toerner
Growth Advisor
Program Manager at Anduril Industries and Air Warfare Strategist in the U.S. Air National Guard. Former U.S. Air Force aviator with a background in public relations and aerospace studies. Cal advises on growth, partnerships, and scaling mission-driven impact without losing the soul.
Security & Trust
Enterprise-grade security from day one
The founding team brings deep technical expertise, including experience building and operating large-scale systems at companies like Meta. Prize already operates with professional security practices in place.
Security First
Compliance is a strategic enabler
Ready to join the platform?
Whether you're a veteran looking for support or an organization wanting to serve veterans better, Prize is here to help.