IVMF Success Stories

Explore dozens of real stories from program graduates on how the IVMF has supported them in achieving their goals post-service.

Career Training


Onward to Opportunity (O2O)

O2O is a career skills program that provides civilian career training, professional certifications and employment services support to transitioning service members and their spouses. Learn how veterans like Zach smoothly transition from Intelligence work to Cybersecurity.

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VPPCE participants

Veterans Program for Politics and Civic Engagement (VPPCE)

VPPCE is tailored to meet the specific needs of veterans and military-connected individuals who have an interest in pursuing careers in politics. Read a few stories from participants finding true success in the political field afterwards.

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Entrepreneurship


Daniel Trtanj

Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV)

EBV is a first-of-its-kind initiative that turns veterans into entrepreneurs! The EBV program leverages the skills, resources and infrastructure of higher education to offer cutting-edge, experiential training in entrepreneurship and small business management to post-9/11 veterans like Daniel Trtanj, founder of At Eaze Extracts.

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Dr. Cheryl Ford at Vwise

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

V-WISE is 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. Read Cheryl Ford and others’ experiences with V-WISE.

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Boots to Business (B2B)

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. Check below how B2B instructors empower military members to create opportunities and more B2B success stories.

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Alejandro Ramirez

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. Here is how EDGE empowered vets like Alejandro Ramirez to transition their military traits and values into successful businesses.

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Dewayne Kimble

Community Navigator Pilot Program

CNPP was an American Rescue Plan initiative launched by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) that ran from November 2021 to November 2023. IVMF’s CNPP provided free access to a curated network of trusted experts, resources, programs, training, and one-on-one services for veteran and military-connected entrepreneurs.

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Charles Chuck Holden

R.I.S.E.

R.I.S.E. is a six-week virtual, bootcamp-style program dedicated to veteran and military family business owners, focused on the pivoting of the business not only to remain sustainable, but to explore ways to expand.

Read Chuck Holden’s advice for R.I.S.E’s participants.

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