Getting Started

Arm Yourself for Entrepreneurship Success


The Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University is committed to supporting veterans and their families as they navigate their entrepreneurial journey. For more than a decade, the IVMF has served over 200,000 veterans and we are just getting started. Arm yourself for entrepreneurship success with the IVMF’s arsenal of programs.

Please select the button below to filter the list to display the various programs related to each phase of entrepreneurship

Phases of Entrepreneurship


For: Transitioning Service Members & Spouses

Boots to Business

For those interested in exploring business ownership or other self-employment opportunities by leading them through the key steps for evaluating business concepts and providing foundational knowledge required to develop a business plan. Learn more about Boots to Business.


For: Transitioning Service Members & Spouses

Startup Training Resources to Inspire Veteran Entrepreneurship (STRIVE)

The Startup Training Resources to Inspire Veteran Entrepreneurship (STRIVE) program is part of a landmark initiative that transforms veterans and military family members into entrepreneurs. Delivered by the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families’ (IVMF), STRIVE leverages networks and education resources in local communities to support and advance veteran owned businesses. Learn more about STRIVE.


For: Veterans

Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV)

Cutting edge bootcamp style entrepreneurship training program teaching the steps and stages of business creation and business management, with a tailored emphasis on the unique challenges and opportunities associated with being a veteran business owner. Learn more about EBV.


For: Families of Veterans & Caregivers

Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans’ Families

Bootcamp style entrepreneurship training program that integrates training with caregiver and family matters, positioning participants to launch and grow small businesses while tending to family responsibilities. Offered to spouses, family members, caregivers or the surviving spouse of a military member who gave his or her life in service to our country. Learn more about EBV-F.


For: Female Veterans, Service Members, & Their Partners

Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V-WISE)

A women-focused training program in entrepreneurship and small business management that provides tools, ongoing support and business mentorship to veterans, active duty service members and military spouses aspiring to become successful entrepreneurs. Learn more about V-WISE.


For: Established Veteran or Spouse Business Owners with 5+ Employees

Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans Accelerate

Ready to take your business to the next level? Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV) Accelerate is a bootcamp-style program focused on growth and tackles head-on topics such as the financial, management, marketing and strategic planning challenges established businesses face. Learn more about EBV Accelerate


For: Veterans & Military Spouse Business Owners

Veteran EDGE

Veteran EDGE (Engage. Develop. Grow. Evaluate.) is a four-day conference dedicated solely to veteran and military spouse business owners and the ecosystem that supports them. Learn more about Veteran EDGE.


For: Military Veterans, Spouses, National Guard & Reserves

VetSource

This three-phase program, which includes a training component, is designed to connect procurement professionals from Fortune 500 companies to veteran and military spouse owned/established businesses and culminates in a one-day event organized to increase business opportunities through unique introductory sessions. Learn more about VetSource.


For: Veterans and Military Spouses

Bunker Build Up

Bunker Build Up is a free 10-week program for aspiring veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs in the skilled trades industry with generous support from The Home Depot Foundation.

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For: All Servant Leaders

Bunker Labs Ambassador

Ambassador Program is a 12-month volunteer program that helps develop and connect the local entrepreneurial ecosystem. Ambassadors ensure there is a clear path for Bunker Labs entrepreneurs to access the local resources and networks they need to successfully launch and grow their businesses.

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For: For AAPI, Black, Latinx, and female veteran and military spouse communities

Bunker Labs Breaking Barriers

Breaking Barriers in Entrepreneurship is a virtual workshop series that facilitates business growth and support within AAPI, Black, Latinx, and female veteran and military spouse communities.

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For: Veterans and Military Spouses

Bunker Labs CEOCircle

CEOcircle is a monthly peer accountability group for growth-stage companies looking to scale. Over the course of nine virtual huddles and four in person fly-in forum events, CEOs and executives can ask critical questions impacting their businesses today.

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For: Veterans, Military Spouses & Transitioning Service Members

Bunker Labs Veterans in Residence

A training program for veterans, military spouses & transitioning service members to test their business idea and develop a basic set of skills and competencies focused on entrepreneurial opportunity recognition, innovation, & fundamentals of business.

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For: Any Military Connected Persons

Center of Excellence for Veteran Entrepreneurship (COE)

The mission of the Center of Excellence (COE) for Veteran Entrepreneurship is to create, collect, organize, and share knowledge, resources, and networks to advance entrepreneurial opportunities for transitioning service members, veterans, and their families. This is accomplished through the development and delivery of innovative programs and educational resources; timely and relevant research and policy analysis; and by cultivating veteran-connected ecosystems across the United States. Learn about the COE.


For: Any Military Connected Persons

Coalition for Veteran Owned Business (CVOB)

Coalition of private sector companies, businesses, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working to connect veteran and military family-owned business to supply chains of medium-sized and large corporations. CVOB simplifies and facilitates the process of supplying goods and services to larger employees. Learn more about CVOB.


For: Anyone

COE Resource Library

The right information and resources can make all the difference in the success of your small business. The COE Veteran Entrepreneurship Resource Library offers original and curated content like articles, videos, data infographics and websites that deliver insights and advice to help you on your journey. Bookmark us and visit us often to help ensure you have everything you need to succeed.

Search Resource Library


For: Veterans and Military Spouses

Procurement Readiness Resources

IVMF has joined forces with Walmart to deliver tools and resources to help illuminate a path to procurement for veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs. The resources on the page can help entrepreneurs become procurement ready and realize opportunities within private supply chain. Entrepreneurs can also learn how to strengthen their supply chain and set themselves up for success when meeting with a procurement agent.


For: Any Military Connected Persons

Resource Library - Search

Explore our digital library filled with IVMF-authored publications as well as several curated topical collections of useful external research, information, and resources. Search The Library.


For: Any Military Connected Persons

Veteran Capital Readiness Initiative (V-CAP)

IVMF’s V-CAP, in partnership with the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), provides free technical assistance and educational resources to help veteran and military-connected entrepreneurs become financially ready and build a path to success.


For: Any Military Connected Persons

VETNET

Online resource offering innovative networking tools, career training, job opportunities and entrepreneurship classes. VetNet is a free service for the entire veteran and military family community. Learn more about VetNet.


Onward to opportunity graduate Douglas Proffitt.

“Obviously the certifications are a big draw (of O2O), but also getting plugged into the Onward to Opportunity network wherever they’re located is a big help.”

Military Installation: Camp Lejeune, NC
CompTIA Network+ Graduate
IT Specialist, Kingfisher Systems

Douglas Proffitt

Chief Warrant Officer, US Marines