More than 100 women veterans and military spouses from around the country gathered recently in Buffalo for training as part of Syracuse University’s Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V-WISE) 22nd program.
Developed by the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF), the V-WISE program provides education, supportive services and resources to women veterans and female military spouses/life partners who aspire to launch and grow their own small business. V-WISE Buffalo marked the program’s first instance in Western New York. To date, more than 3,000 women have received cost-free business ownership training through the V-WISE program, and 70 percent go on to launch a new business after completing the training.
The Buffalo program kicked off with a speech from Syracuse University alumna and New York State Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul ’80. “Women veterans have a strong sense of duty and are risk-takers—essential skills needed for aspiring small business owners,” Hochul said. “As a Syracuse grad, I’m so proud the University has helped over 3,500 women become entrepreneurs.”
