University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Campus.
The D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University is proud to announce the expansion of its Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV) consortium with the addition of the El Pomar Institute for Innovation and Commercialization (EPIIC) at University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS). The newest university partner will enhance the national reach of EBV, providing even more veterans with the tools, training, and resources they need to successfully transition into business ownership.
UCCS has long been recognized for its dedication to serving military-connected students, offering specialized programs and resources tailored to the needs of veterans and their families. The university’s participation in the EBV consortium through the EPIIC further strengthens its role as a hub for military and veteran entrepreneurship in the region.
“I have been teaching in the program since 2008 and am well aware of the transformative impact of EBV,” said Dr. Larry Plummer, Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship and El Pomar Chair of Business & Entrepreneurship at the UCCS College of Business. “We are so proud to be partnering with Syracuse to bring EBV not only to a university dedicated to veterans’ education but also to a community so welcoming to veterans of all branches of service.”
“Colorado Springs is home to five military installations; therefore, veterans are an integral part of our city and the UCCS community,” added Dr. Tommy Aicher, UCCS College of Business Dean. “Partnering with EBV allows us to continue offering enhanced opportunities for our veterans–further enabling them to achieve their professional, educational, and entrepreneurial dreams.”
Created in 2007 at Syracuse University, the EBV program is a premier entrepreneurship training initiative designed exclusively for post-9/11 veterans who aspire to start and grow their own businesses. The data-driven program offers cutting-edge business education, hands-on training, and ongoing support—at no cost to participants. With the inclusion of UCCS, the EBV consortium now includes nine esteemed academic institutions, reinforcing the program’s commitment to empowering veterans nationwide.
“The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs is an outstanding addition to the EBV network,” said Dr. Mike Haynie, Founder and Executive Director of the IVMF. “Their commitment to veteran success and strong ties to the military community in Colorado make them an ideal partner to expand our mission of supporting veteran entrepreneurs, and UCCS will expand our geographic footprint to allow veterans from the West Coast and Mid-West to access our impactful programing.”
The EBV program is delivered through a three-phase approach:
- Online Learning Modules – Participants complete a self-paced business fundamentals course.
- Residency at a Partner University – A weeklong in-person immersive training experience featuring expert-led instruction, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
- Ongoing Support & Mentorship – Graduates receive continued access to coaching, resources, and a network of veteran business owners.
Since its inception, the IVMF has trained more than 80,000 entrepreneurs to date across its portfolio of entrepreneurship programs, producing an alumni network of successful veterans and military spouses who have launched, and scaled, businesses across the country. The addition of UCCS will provide even greater access to veterans in the Mountain West region, ensuring they have the opportunity to build thriving businesses and contribute to their communities.
UCCS joins the following colleges and universities in the EBV consortium:
- Saint Joseph’s University – Philadelphia, PA
- Syracuse University – Syracuse, NY
- Texas A&M University – College Station, TX
- University of California at Los Angeles – Los Angeles, CA
- University of Connecticut – Storrs, CT
- University of Missouri – Columbia, MO
- Wright State University – Dayton, OH
To learn more about the IVMF’s available programs and services to help aspiring military-connected entrepreneurs, please visit the IVMF’s Entrepreneurship page.