Veteran EDGE - D'Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families

March 19-21, 2025 in Dallas, TX

The Veteran EDGE Conference is focused on addressing the opportunities and challenges faced by growth-stage businesses that are actively scaling or ready-to-scale. Over the course of three days, veteran and military spouse business owners, corporate decisionmakers, government contracting leaders, and other stakeholders from around the country will network with one another, learn about the latest opportunities, best practices, and resources available to their growing companies, and celebrate each other’s successes.

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What You'll See at EDGE

Breakout sessions include Sales & Storytelling, How Do I Know if I’m Procurement Ready?, Mergers & Acquisitions, Creative Problem Solving, State of the U.S. Economy, From CEO of Your Business to CEO of Your Health, and Exit Strategy, just to name a few!

Speakers and instructors from JPMorgan Chase, Fiserv, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Veteran Small Business Coalition, numerous veteran-owned businesses, and many more!

1:1 meetings with corporate and government stakeholders, business and entrepreneurship subject matter experts, resource providers

Numerous networking opportunities including the Business Showcase & Resource Fair
Celebration of the 100 fastest-growing veteran-owned businesses in the country at the annual Vet100 Dinner & Awards Ceremony

D’Aniello Family Foundation Acceleration Challenge

Acceleration Challenge group photo. Participants (ten total) will be nominated to participate in a series of activities and workshops to assess the barriers confronting their business and best prepare them to leverage the resources of the conference. They will be eligible to apply for up to $10,000 in grant funding for their company.

Making The Connection

This year provided opportunities to connect with representatives from Fortune 500 companies, multimillion-dollar businesses, nonprofit organizations, entrepreneurship experts and providing opportunities to connect with those in your industry

One-on-One Meetings with Experts

Individual consultation and office hours are available with many subject matter experts throughout the event. These exclusive learning opportunities help business owners to maximize their growth potential by pinpointing challenges and finding solutions.

one-on-on coaching sessions at veteran EDGE.

Business Showcase and Resource Expo

Product-based business and military community resource and service providers are able to showcase their business offerings to attendees at a dedicated event. With the opportunity to sell products and services on-site, the value add for participating businesses is top-notch!

veteran edge small business showcase expo

Networking Receptions

In addition to casual conversations, attendees can mix and mingle with industry leaders, subject matter experts, and fellow veteran and military spouse business owners throughout the conference with multiple networking-focused opportunities.

Two veteran edge participants smiling for photo

Industry Night

Attendees can engage with and learn from fellow business owners within your industry during Industry Night. At Veteran EDGE, other participants are not competitors but instead are resources and battle buddies for one another as we all seek business growth and success opportunities.

Group of people networking at Veteran EDGE conference.

Vet 100

2024 Vet100 Group photo

The Institute for Veterans and Military Families is working with Inc. 5000 to celebrate the annual Vet100 Awards Ceremony and dinner powered by Fiserv. This event will honor the 100 fastest-growing veteran-owned businesses in the nation and recognize the hard work and commitment they have put into their entrepreneurial dreams. Learn more about Vet100.

FAQ

What is the Veteran EDGE Conference?

The Veteran EDGE Conference is a 3 day training event that connects veteran and military spouse business owners with breakout sessions, business experts, keynote speakers, and networking opportunities. They will be able to manage the growth of their businesses by finding mentors, connecting with networks, and accessing resources.
Who is eligible to attend?

This conference is designed to accommodate actively scaling businesses. Participants must be a veteran, active duty service member, National Guard, Reserve, or military spouse business owner who have been operating their business for at least one year as of January 1, 2023. Participants must be able to provide proof of their service or their spouse’s service, along with proof of business ownership.
How can I register to attend the next Veteran EDGE Conference?
- Applications are open! Apply now!
- A committee will review the company’s eligibility and then a link will be sent to register for those who were accepted to attend the training program
Where is the Veteran EDGE Conference?

Veteran EDGE 2025 will be held in Dallas, TX.
When is the 2025 conference?

March 19-21, 2025.
What to expect?
- We are expecting 300 veteran and military connected business owners to attend in addition to 200 resource partners, stakeholders, and corporations. Prepare to network, build relationships with corporate decision-makers, learn from several subject matter experts across multiple learning sessions, and be inspired by our keynote speakers!
Are there exhibitor opportunities?
- Business Showcase and Resource Expo will be held on Thursday, March 20, 2024. Space will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and a $100 fee will be required to reserve a booth. (Government agencies are exempt)
  - Business Showcase: Veteran or military-connected business owners are invited to showcase their product(s) and provide items to sell on-site, in additional to promotional materials to distribute to conference attendees. This is an opportunity to show off the amazing value of your business!
  - Resource Expo: Providers of veteran and/or military-connected services/resources are invited to reserve a booth as part of the Resource Expo.
- Information on how to register for the Business Showcase and Resource Expo will be available soon.
What is the out-of-pocket cost to attend this Conference?
- The registration fee is $300 and will cover:
  - Conference pass for all conference-related events over three days
  - A ticket to Vet100 Award Dinner on Friday, March 21, 2024
  - All meals during the conference
  - Lodging for three (3) nights checking in on Wednesday, March 19, and checking out on Saturday, March 22
- The participant will be responsible for:
  - All travel and transportation expenses
  - Hotel accommodations outside of what the IVMF offers for the nights of March 19-22
  - Any incidentals and additional expenses outside of those listed above
  - $100 fee to reserve a booth for the Business Showcase and Resource Expo (if showcasing a product or service)

“I love the Veteran EDGE Conference because it’s a great time to catch up with familiar faces, network, and resharpen your skills. You go back home to your business refreshed and ready to conquer the world.”

Otis Thomas

Noah’s Ark Child Care Academy

D'Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families

March 19-21, 2025 in Dallas, TX

What is the Veteran EDGE Conference?

Who is eligible to attend?

How can I register to attend the next Veteran EDGE Conference?

Where is the Veteran EDGE Conference?

When is the 2025 conference?

What to expect?

Are there exhibitor opportunities?

What is the out-of-pocket cost to attend this Conference?