EPISODE · Jun 12, 2025 · 40 MIN
From the Court to the C-Suite: Matt Raydo’s Journey from Maryland Hoops to a Major GovCon Exit
from The Peel · host thepeel
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. If you liked listening to this episode, click here to view more in this series. To view all of our podcast series, visit our podcast page.
What this episode covers
In this episode, David Blackburn chats with former University of Maryland basketball player Matt Raydo about his inspiring post-collegiate journey. From his early days under Coach Gary Williams to his thriving business and community endeavors today, Matt shares how his love of basketball has remained a central thread in his life. Matt shares his continued commitment to giving back through HTI (HubZone Technology Initiative), his nonprofit focused on bringing technology resources and education to underserved HUBZone communities across the country. Matt also discusses his latest project, Shell Shock, Maryland Basketball’s official alumni team competing in TBT (The Basketball Tournament) for a $1 million prize. As a co-organizer, Matt is helping unite generations of Maryland basketball players, enhance alumni engagement, and strengthen the Terps’ network both on and off the court. The Shell Shock team debuts July 18 on FS1. Matt also highlights the tournament’s unique ELAM Ending, which adds eight points to the leading team’s score at the 4-minute mark in the fourth quarter, creating a suspenseful, foul-free race to a target score. He also gives a sneak peek at the Raydo Basketball Lab (RBL), his new youth basketball organization dedicated to teaching the game the right way while instilling character and life skills in young athletes. Fueled by his experience as a player, entrepreneur, and coach, Matt is building a program designed to develop players both on and off the court. Whether you’re a Maryland fan, a youth coach, or someone passionate about community impact, Matt’s story offers something for everyone. 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. If you liked listening to this episode, click here to view more in this series. To view all of our podcast series, visit our podcast page.
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From the Court to the C-Suite: Matt Raydo’s Journey from Maryland Hoops to a Major GovCon Exit
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