Emery Wager: From Entrepreneurial Roots to Military Service and Tech Leadership

Emery Wager’s journey from a young entrepreneur to a U.S. Marine and eventually a tech industry leader is a testament to the power of resilience, innovation, and leadership. Born and raised in the shadow of Seattle’s Husky Stadium, Wager was destined for greatness. By the age of 9, he had already co-founded a nonprofit called Woof Cookies, which sold cookies to University of Washington football fans and raised $32,000 for Seattle Children’s Hospital over 10 years. This early entrepreneurial spirit set the stage for a life of ambition and purpose. After attending elite institutions like Lakeside School and Stanford University, Wager seemed on track for a traditional high-achieving career. However, a pivotal moment with a friend from Stanford who was joining the Marine Corps changed everything. Wager had an “aha moment” that challenged his path, leading him to enlist in 2008—a decision that shocked his family but ultimately shaped his leadership and worldview.

From Silicon Valley to the Front Lines: A Leap of Faith

Wager’s decision to join the Marines was driven by a desire to serve in a unique ambassador role, particularly in Afghanistan. He was intrigued by the idea of being one of the first people someone from Afghanistan might meet, seeing it as an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a dangerous and complex environment. Over the next four years, Wager proved himself to be an exemplary leader. He graduated from Officer Candidate School, The Basic School, and the Infantry Officer Course, rising to the role of infantry platoon commander. He led over 60 Marines through counterinsurgency operations in Helmand Province and later served as an infantry company executive officer, second in command of a 180-member unit during deployments and training. His leadership earned him the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for his role in planning and executing offensive operations against the enemy.

Transitioning Back to Civilian Life and the Tech Industry

After leaving the Marines, Wager faced the challenge of figuring out his next steps. He had grown accustomed to the leadership and camaraderie of the military, but he eventually found a new home at Gravity Payments, a Seattle-based credit card processing and financial services startup. During his nine years at Gravity, Wager took on various roles, including managing relationships with law firms. This experience sparked an interest in the unique financial challenges faced by the legal industry. Alongside a team at Gravity, Wager set out to build a tool to handle legal financial transactions more efficiently. This idea eventually spun off into a separate company called Confido Legal, where Wager serves as CEO.

Building Confido Legal: A Mission to Simplify Legal Financial Transactions

Confido Legal, which raised $2 million in seed funding, has become a critical player in the legal tech space. The startup serves two main client bases: law firms that need to manage money in a compliant manner and legal tech companies looking to integrate payment and finance features into their applications. Today, Confido processes hundreds of millions of dollars in payments annually for the legal sector. Wager reflects on the challenges of building a startup, noting that finding product-market fit didn’t heavily rely on his military experience. However, as the business grows and becomes more complex, the lessons he learned in the Marines—such as leadership, decision-making, and problem-solving—have become increasingly relevant.

Leadership Lessons from the Battlefield to the Boardroom

One of the most significant lessons Wager carries with him is the concept of “going to the point of friction.” In the military, this meant leading by example, whether it was attacking a hill or breaching barbed wire. In the business world, it translates to diving deep into critical projects and treating them with the same level of urgency and importance as a life-or-death mission. Wager’s ability to impart this mindset has been invaluable at Confido, where he encourages his team to approach challenges with focus and determination. His experience leading 60 Marines at just 24 years old has also shaped his leadership style, teaching him the importance of trust, communication, and adaptability. Even with a small team of 10 at Confido, Wager draws on these lessons to build a culture of accountability and innovation.

Emery Wager’s Legacy: Bridging Military Service and Tech Innovation

Emery Wager’s story is a compelling example of how military service can foster the skills and resilience needed to excel in the tech industry. His journey from selling cookies as a child to leading Marines in Afghanistan and now running a successful legal tech startup highlights his adaptability and determination. At Confido Legal, Wager is not only solving complex financial challenges for the legal sector but also paving the way for other veterans to transition into tech leadership roles. His ability to connect his past experiences to present challenges underscores the enduring value of military training in civilian life. As Wager continues to grow Confido and inspire those around him, his legacy serves as a reminder of the power of leadership, innovation, and service.