Bunker Labs Ambassador

Calling All Servant Leaders

Building Business Ecosystems

Applications are closed for 2025.
Fill out the Interest Form to be notified when applications open for next cohort.

The Ambassador Program unites entrepreneurial community builders from across the country with a mission to enhance local business ecosystems. The 12-month program trains and supports already well-positioned and established leaders as they engineer more friendly business environments for veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs and connect them with key entrepreneurial resources.

Meet Current Cohort

Our Ambassadors know the lay of the local business landscape, have an innate talent for networking, and a passion for helping veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs. Over the course of a year, they host local  networking events, to get military affiliated entrepreneurs connected to the right people and resources that can take their business to the next level. They also complete an Ecosystem Leadership Project (ELP) driving positive and lasting changes in their local business environment.

Program Overview

Ambassador Qualifications

  • Community Builder Mindset: Our Ambassadors focus on the needs of veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs, working not only to support their individual growth, but to create an environment that makes it easier for them to succeed.
  • Strong Commitment: Ambassadors demonstrate the strongest commitment, investing about five hours of effort a week throughout the year long program, and attending monthly virtual huddles and two fly-in events for training and problem-solving.

  • Resourceful Leadership: Our Ambassadors know how to excel at leading and problem-solving with the resources at hand. Most have leadership experience from their time in the military, running their own company, or working at a nonprofit.
  • Well-Positioned: Our Ambassadors have a strong network and know how to access the people and resources that can help local entrepreneurs thrive.

Why Become an Ambassador?

Becoming an Ambassador is an incredible opportunity for leaders who understand and value the power of community, having experienced its benefits firsthand. Ambassadors have access to valuable entrepreneurial resources and networks and are eager to share them with others, paying it forward. In this role, you’ll be at the intersection of veterans, military spouses, and entrepreneurship within your community.

Representing IVMF, a well-respected national nonprofit, will open new doors that might have otherwise remained closed. Being an Ambassador gives you an opportunity to supercharge your own network, not just by being in the room with key players in your local ecosystem, but by creating the guest list yourself. Further, if you’re part of an entrepreneurial service organization (ESO) or run a business that supports other companies, serving as an Ambassador can greatly enhance your ability to serve even more people. Key ecosystem partners make outstanding Ambassadors and can benefit from a broader view of the local entrepreneurial landscape.

Ecosystem Leadership Project (ELP)

As an Ambassador, you become a steward and caretaker of your local entrepreneurial environment. The Ecosystem Leadership Project (ELP) is a unique initiative designed by each Ambassador to make the local business community more accessible for veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs and small business owners.

An ELP can take many forms. Ambassadors might plan and host networking events that gives veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs an opportunity to meet with investors or mentors. Other Ambassadors might curate a comprehensive ecosystem map of local resources. Each project is tailored to marry the Ambassadors the skills and knowledge of the Ambassadors to address the needs of local veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs. Regardless of the form it takes, every ELP aims to create lasting improvements in the accessibility of entrepreneurial resources for local veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs.

Program Overview

WHO

Volunteers passionate about creating a more opportunity-filled business environment for veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs and small business owners.

WHERE

Two fly-in events filled with ecosystem building training, along with monthly virtual huddles.

WHEN

The mandatory 2025 fly-in events are scheduled for sometime in February (exact date TBD) in Atlanta, GA, and July 29-Aug 1 in Syracuse, NY. There are also monthly virtual huddles.

WHY

Supercharge your network and put it to good use serving veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs by connecting them with key contacts and resources to launch and grow their businesses.

Alumni Testimonials

Slide 1

Since I’ve been with Bunker Labs, my network has changed and I’ve connected with so many different people and customers.

Nathaniel Torres
Co-Founder, Lavi

One of the benefits of being an Ambassador is being able to find ways to help one another and find resources and tools we can offer to each other.

Monica Fullerton
Founder, Spouse-ly

As a Bunker Labs Ambassador, you get to help people overcome challenges and struggles and see those you’ve helped, help others.

Brandon Aaron
Co-Founder, Highr1

What I find most exciting about being involved with Bunker Labs is reconnecting with fellow veterans and other people who have similar experiences. It’s something I’ve missed dearly since checking out of the military.

Doug Bauer
Founder, Serac Technologies

Creating Opportunity

Joining the Ambassador Program allows you to make a real difference in the lives of veterans and military spouses. Local Ambassadors play a huge role in and helping them actualize their American dreams of entrepreneurship and small business ownership by fostering a more friendly business ecosystem, and expanding their access to resources and networks.

The Ambassador Program is your chance to be the person who makes that key introduction or points an entrepreneur to that critical resource that can change their lives and the trajectory of their business. Early-stage founders can get caught up in their day-to-day operations that they miss big picture opportunities sitting right next to them. As an Ambassador, your ability to raise awareness about those opportunities and facilitate connections is an invaluable part of their journey, and one they’ll never forget.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • Who is eligible to participate?

    Anyone with a passion for helping veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs is eligible to apply. However, the best candidates will also be well-positioned within the local business ecosystem to help veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs, or have unique access to a network or resource that can help them launch and grow their companies.     

  • Do you have to be an existing member of the Bunker Labs community to apply?

    Prior Bunker Labs participation or engagement is not required, but we hold those already engaged with our community in high regard.

  • What kind of commitment does the program require?

    5 hours per week on average. This is a volunteer position and may require some evening and weekend work to attend community events. The Ambassador will need to have access to their own transportation to travel to various events and meetings. Physical Requirements: The Ambassador will be required to stand or sit for extended periods and may need to lift or move light objects during event setup.

  • Which cities have the program?

    IVMF Bunker Labs is always looking to expand to different cities, and Ambassadors are an important first step to developing the local ecosystem to support veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs. Cities with an active Veterans in Residence cohort will take precedence, but if you think your city is ready, apply to be an Ambassador today, and let’s start developing the local community together!

  • Does IVMF Bunker Labs make investments in Ambassador cohort businesses?

    No

  • Do I need to be a military veteran to apply?

    No, you don’t necessarily have to be a veteran to be an Ambassador, you just need to have a passion for helping people and enjoy networking and problem-solving.  Applicants should self-identify as servant leaders who are dedicated to supporting the veteran and military spouse entrepreneur community. This means they should prioritize the needs of others, aim to enhance the growth and well-being of community members, and work towards building a more collaborative network that is locally thriving and nationally connected.

  • I was rejected from the program in the past. Can I apply again?

    Yes, we encourage you to apply again and to consider other IVMF Bunker Labs programming that may be a fit for you including Breaking Barriers in Entrepreneurship, EBV,  Launch Lab Online, Veterans in Residence , VWISE, Veteran Edge, and CEOcircle.  

  • What are the criteria of competitive candidates?
    • The best candidates will be dedicated servant leaders that are well-positioned within the local business ecosystem to help veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs, or have unique access to a network or resource that can help Bunker Labs entrepreneurs launch and grow their companies. 
    • However, IVMF Bunker Labs is also looking for candidates with:  
    • Strong leadership and communication skills.
    • Experience in networking and ecosystem building.
    • Knowledge of local entrepreneurial resources.
    • Passionate about supporting military-connected entrepreneurs.
    • Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
    • Commitment to the volunteer role for at least 12 months.
    • Willingness to participate in IVMF Bunker Labs Ambassador training.
    • Skilled at making beneficial referrals that can benefit both parties and lead to positive outcomes.
    • Skilled at identifying opportunities and engaging with key stakeholders in the industry or community to build partnerships or networks.
    • Relevant education or experience in business, entrepreneurship, economic development, marketing, communications, public administration, nonprofit management, and ecosystem building.
    • Experience in organizing and hosting events.
    • Familiarity with the needs and challenges faced by military-connected entrepreneurs.
    • Experience in entrepreneurship or startup development.
    • Active in the local veteran or entrepreneur community.
    • Veteran or military spouse a plus, but not required.

  • What’s in it for me?
    • An opportunity to be of service to veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs trying to realize their American Dream.
    • Supercharge your network while connecting up-and-coming military connected entrepreneurs with the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.
    • Access to a vibrant community that offers a strong sense of camaraderie and community amongst veteran and military spouses
    • Recognition as a local leader driving economic development.
    • Two fully covered in-person fly-in training events that teach skills like ecosystem building, networking, and mentorship.

  • Is travel involved?

    Yes. The program will cover your travel expenses for the Ambassador Program’s two fly-in training events.

  • The next cohort doesn’t start for months, what can I do in the meantime?

    Reach out to the current Ambassadors in your city, and attend any IVMF Bunker Labs events in your area.

Presenting Partners

This program is made possible in part by USAA, PWC Charitable Foundation, MetLife Foundation, Ford, Boeing