Entrepreneur Resources

Many top business schools are offering Entrepreneurship MBAs or a M.S. in Entrepreneurship or Technology Commercialization. These programs tend to have a broader curriculum, are less than two years, waive GRE/GMAT requirements, and offer you an opportunity to take a technology or business idea from inception to fruition through business plan and pitch competitions. The University of Texas: M.S. in Technology Commercialization is an example of an entrepreneurial program that is military friendly.

Boots to Business

Boots to Business is an entrepreneurial education and training program offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration as part of the DoD’s Transition Assistance Program.

Bunker Labs

National network of veteran and milspouse entrepreneurs dedicated to helping the military community start their own business. They are committed to seeing that every entrepreneur in the military connected community has the network, tools, and resources to start their own business.

Small Business Administration

Devoted to promoting veteran entrepreneurship, the OVBD facilitates the use of all SBA programs. SBA programs provide access to capital for veteran small business owners and can connect them with federal procurement and commercial supply chains.

Warrior Rising

Warrior Rising is a non-profit mentorship organization to help “vetrepreneurs.” This is just one example so see what else is out there that fits your need or your location.

Department of Veteran Affairs

The VA’s Veteran Entrepreneur Portal helps small businesses access federal services and connects veteran entrepreneurs to relevant ‘best-practices’ and information.

Startups are organizations looking to raise funding to bring their product or service to their desired market. They exist in every major city, the most famous being in San Francisco, Austin, NYC, and Boston. If you decide to become an entrepreneur then you will be a part of a startup. However, If you want to experience a fast-paced, flat, and open company culture but not start your own business there are two options:

Internship

Research startups in your desired transition city and reach out to an employee or founder and request to do an internship with them as part of your DoD Skillbridge Program.

Employment

Open up your options by applying to startups for your first job out of the military. This is a great way to have autonomy and make a large impact. As a bonus, most offer equity in the company as an employee benefit which could pay out immensely if the company makes it big.