10-week virtual program delivers immediate, practical impact with access to business tools, resources, mentorship, and a strong peer network for veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs.
Formerly the Veterans in Residence (ViR), Breaking Barriers in Entrepreneurship (BBiE), and Bunker Build Up (BBU) programs, IVMF has streamlined and combined these three programs into the Military Founders Lab. Over 10-weeks, this virtual program delivers immediate, practical impact and support for business growth and development with access to business tools, resources, mentorship, and a strong peer network. Military Founders Lab also provides multiple tracks that align participants by shared experiences or industries, creating a tailored support system and stronger connections within each cohort.
Applicants must also meet the following business requirements:
Participants in the Military Founders Lab will actively engage in two virtual meetings per week, accompanied by structured weekly coursework. The Speaker Series (live webinar led by a Subject Matter Expert) is held on Mondays at 2pm ET and is recorded for asynchronous review if needed. If a participant is not able to attend and engage in the Speaker Series live, they are required to review the recording after the fact. The Founders Exchange (live virtual office hour) is track-specific and must be attended and engaged with live – they are not recorded. Participants are required to attend and engage with at least five live Founders Exchange sessions over the course of 10 weeks.
There are three, 10-week, Military Founders Lab cohorts annually, beginning in winter, spring, and fall each year.
The 2026 schedule is as follows:
10-week business curriculum covering the following topics:
Live Weekly Speaker Series (webinar led by a Subject Matter Expert) – Mondays at 2pm ET
When applying, identify the track that best fit your needs as an entrepreneur, whether your goal is to grow your network of peers at a similar revenue stage, build a support system of entrepreneurs with shared experiences, or make connections within your industry. Participants are required to attend and actively engage in their track’s Founders Exchange.
Track Options and Founders Exchange Times
*If you are eligible for more than one track, review the office hours times for each and select the one that aligns best with your availability. If you indicate an interest in more than one track, final placement will be determined by the IVMF team.
Cohort members are expected to keep program access exclusive to participants. Sharing program links with individuals who are not enrolled in the program is strictly prohibited. If you would like to invite a business partner to attend and participate in the cohort, you must seek prior approval from the Military Founders Lab program team. Business partners are required to submit an application, meet eligibility requirements, and be accepted into the cohort before they are permitted to engage in any program activities
Veteran, military spouse, and military family founders of businesses already generating revenue or that have already fundraised for startup/growth operations.
Military Founders Lab is a 10-week virtual program divided into program tracks that align participants by shared experiences or industries to create a tailored support system and stronger connections within each cohort.
The IVMF Military Founders Lab is a live online program experience, empowering participants to engage from anywhere with a reliable internet connection.
Military Founders Lab operates three cohorts annually. Each virtual cohort runs for ten weeks. New cohorts begin every winter, spring, and fall.
The IVMF Military Founders Lab provides an opportunity to better equip early-stage and startup businesses for success and sustainability with expert guidance, accountability, resources, and a strong community behind you.
Questions? View our FAQ.
Virtual.
No.
You must be one of the following: active-duty, veteran, reservist, national guard, military or veteran spouse/life partner/adult dependent/caregiver with documentation of honorable service for self, spouse, partner, parent, or veteran receiving care. All eras and all service branches are eligible.
Yes, you can apply!
The Online Programs team manages the Military Founders Lab program.
The Breaking Barriers in Entrepreneurship (BBiE) program has been sunsetted and integrated into the Military Founders Lab. In response to participant feedback, the Military Founders Lab offers a more robust and scalable experience—featuring expanded workshops, office hours, and peer support. By combining the structure of the Veterans in Residence program with BBiE’s inclusive mission, it better serves military-connected entrepreneurs from historically underserved communities.
The Veterans in Residence (ViR) program has been sunsetted and replaced by the Military Founders Lab. Building on the foundation and best practices of ViR, the new program introduces specialized tracks to better support the diverse needs of military-connected entrepreneurs with more targeted resources and guidance.
Cohort members are expected to keep program access exclusive to participants. Sharing program links with individuals who are not enrolled in the program is strictly prohibited. If you would like to invite a business partner to attend and participate in the cohort, you must seek prior approval from the Military Founders Lab program team. Business partners are required to submit an application, meet eligibility requirements, and be accepted into the cohort before they are permitted to engage in any program activities.
