Case reminds veterans about ‘Boots to Suits’ program

Do you know a military veteran interested in becoming a small business owner? Or are you that veteran-turned-entrepreneur? Would you like to mentor an eager veteran so he or she can start a business of their own?

If so, there’s a great opportunity in our own backyard that you should check out.

The Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities (EBV) is a consortium of business schools and universities hosting a program for veterans interested in starting and owning businesses. The University of Connecticut School of Business is one of eight participating institutions. The veterans who participate in the program receive business suits, laptops, and training on the fundamentals of business ownership.

Veterans interested in participating apply to the program at one of the eight institutions. To qualify, applicants should:

• have separated from active duty service after 2001 or be in the administrative process of separating,
• have a ‘service-connected disability’ as a result of military service (including activated National Guard and Reserves), and
• demonstrate a strong interest in entrepreneurship and small business ownership or management.

UConn has participated in the program since 2010 and welcomed 23 veterans in 2013. The program is largely privately funded and offered at no cost to post-9/11 veterans with service-connected disabilities. Participating veterans also receive ongoing technical assistance after the bootcamp.

If you are a veteran, you can apply to the program by clicking here.

If you are a businessperson in the state of Connecticut and you want to help mentor one of these veterans, you can apply by clicking on this link.