Veterans and military family members who are entrepreneurs and seeking assistance with their startups have the opportunity to join the Veterans in Residence program, a partnership of workplace giant WeWork and non-profit Bunker Labs. Offered in cities nationwide, as well as through a virtual cohort, veteran entrepreneurs seeking to start a business must be a legal business entity. Those who have an active veteran owned small business must have revenue below $100,000 to apply.
The six-month, early-stage business incubator is designed to help veterans start and grow a business. It provides use of a co-working space, involvement in the local entrepreneurial community, and access to a national business network. Those located in cities without a Veterans in Residence program are eligible to apply for the virtual cohort.
“Entrepreneurs who are past the ideation stage and are looking for a small cohort to challenge, inspire, and support them are in a great position to leverage the community, resources, and accountability of Veterans in Residence,” said Bunker Labs’ Director of Entrepreneurship, Ann Cardona.
To date the Veterans in Residence program has had 950 veteran-owned businesses participate with some great success stories. Veteran entrepreneur graduates have won pitch competitions and recognition in venues such as the grand prize in the Bob Evans Heroes to CEOs pitch competition, first place in the Austin FC Dream Starter Competition and funding from Google for Startups Black Founders Fund.
Nonprofit Bunker Labs’ mission is to ensure that the military-connected entrepreneur and small business community has available to them the network, tools, and opportunities they need to start and sustain successful ventures. Participants are given the tools, insights, experts and resources to accelerate their success of business ownership, giving support to veteran entrepreneurship.
“Entrepreneurship levels the playing field: It is just as challenging for a PFC as it is for a General Officer,” said Cardona. “Entrepreneurs in our community respect one another for having the courage to enter a profession that is not often mentioned in the service and which is needed now more than ever.”
Applications from Veteran Entrepreneurs or their eligible family member for the next cohort of Veterans in Residence are now being accepted. The program is scheduled to begin in January 2022. A list of locations across the United States is available.
Learn about how Citi’s Impact Fund in Helping Veteran Entrepreneurs
