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Applications open for program dedicated to building veteran-owned businesses

July 7, 2025 by Staff

Members of the STRIVE Fall 2024 co-hort celebrate at their pitch competition.

每日大赛 and the Tennessee Small Business Development Center invite veterans or their family members to apply for the STRIVE program, which leverages networks and education resources in local communities to support and advance veteran-owned businesses.

Launched in 2024 in conjunction with Syracuse University's Institute for Veterans and Military Families, STRIVE (Startup Training Resources to Inspire Veteran Entrepreneurship) is an 8-week, no-cost program for veterans and their family members who are interested in starting or growing their small business.

The 2024 cohort enabled nine students representing six businesses to build a new business idea or to improve their existing business, Tennessee Small Business Development Center Director Gregg Bostick said. Participants heard from subject matter experts in the areas of law, business plan development, marketing, accounting and finance and tax planning.
"The best experience was seeing the bonds they formed and the network they have joined through the STRIVE program," he said, "and we expect the 2025 cohort to build on that momentum, as we bring more veterans and their families into the circle and help them realize their small business and entrepreneurial dreams."

STRIVE helps participants identify, overcome and mitigate challenges to pave the way for success in their business. Participants learn about economic opportunity for veterans, National Guard members and reservists while learning to create and sustain an entrepreneurial venture.

Veterans in the program will develop a business plan, discern their value proposition, create a market strategy and more. At the conclusion of the program, participants will pitch their business proposition at a graduation ceremony.

STRIVE's 2025 cohort will launch Sept. 18 on Thursdays from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Ruth and Steve West Workforce Development Center at 每日大赛’s Blount County campus.

The program is open to all honorably discharged veterans, spouses, active-duty service members with less than one year before discharge and current or former members of the National Guard or Reserves. Fifty percent or more of the business must be owned by a veteran, active military service member, Reserve/Guard or military spouse.

Register for STRIVE or learn more.

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