Veterans Gather in Colorado Springs for Entrepreneurship Boot Camp to Ignite Business Ventures
Veterans Gather in Colorado Springs for Entrepreneurship Boot Camp
Colorado Springs, CO — A group of 16 post-9/11 veterans arrived at the Colorado Springs Airport on Saturday, ready to embark on a transformative journey at the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans. This unique program aims to equip veterans with the skills and knowledge necessary to turn their business ideas into successful ventures.
“This gathering is all about turning vision into action,” said Joe Aldaz, president of the Colorado Springs Hispanic Chamber, as he welcomed the veterans, who hailed from various states including Florida, Washington, and Hawaii.
Among the participants is Shelli Brunswick, a retired Air Force officer and founder of SB Global, a consulting firm focused on bridging the gap between space innovation and broader industries. Brunswick, who has spent 25 years in the space sector, expressed her desire to help others through her business. “It’s service before self when you’re in the military. This is how I can give back,” she said.
The boot camp, hosted by the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) for the first time, is an extension of a program created by Syracuse University. It includes an intensive 80-hour curriculum designed to provide veterans with essential business skills, from profitability strategies to leveraging social media platforms like LinkedIn.
The program is particularly significant for post-9/11 veterans, who face higher unemployment rates, especially among disabled individuals. Larry Plummer, an associate professor of entrepreneurship at UCCS and organizer of the boot camp, emphasized the importance of supporting this demographic. “We want to ensure that these veterans have the resources they need to succeed in their entrepreneurial endeavors,” he stated.
The boot camp is fully funded through local donations, allowing veterans to participate at no cost. “This program is incredible,” Brunswick noted. “It would be very cost-prohibitive for someone like myself otherwise.”
The curriculum will take place at UCCS’s downtown location, where veterans will learn from professors and local business leaders who have successfully navigated the entrepreneurial landscape. Following the boot camp, Syracuse University will provide ongoing support for a year to help participants grow their businesses.
Florian de Castro, another veteran in the program, echoed the sentiment of community and connection. “The military is by far the best business training school pipeline out there,” he said. De Castro, who aims to introduce Filipino cuisine to Colorado Springs, believes that networking is crucial for success in business. “It’s not about money. It’s about networks,” he explained.
As the veterans gathered at the airport, excitement filled the air. “I’m excited to meet the amazing people that I’ve got to meet virtually,” Brunswick said. “Being an entrepreneur can be a lonely journey, and this program helps build those relationships.”
With a strong foundation and a supportive community, these veterans are poised to turn their entrepreneurial dreams into reality, proving that their fighting spirit extends beyond the battlefield and into the world of business.
