The Veterans Florida Entrepreneur Program, offered in partnership with Florida Atlantic University since 2015, equips veterans,
transitioning service members, members of the National Guard and Reserve, and military
spouses with the education, mentorship, and resources needed to launch and grow successful
businesses. While we prepare for the next cohort, we invite you to become part of
the Florida Atlantic Entrepreneurship Institute's entrepreneurial community. Completing the FAEI application is the best way to connect
with our entrepreneurial ecosystem, access business education, mentoring, networking
events, and other valuable resources, while also receiving updates on the 2026-27
Veterans Florida Entrepreneur Program at Florida Atlantic.
Tentative Programming for 2026-27
Launch Cohort (10-15 spaces available) | Fall 2026
Participants' Business Stage: Idea, Idea to Startup, Startup, Post Startup (post startup
will be accepted on a case by case basis)
The 8-week Launch Cohort combines 11 interactive modules, expert instruction, and
mentorship to help veterans and military spouses determine the validity or marketability
of their business idea or startup, understand and complete a Business Model Canvas,
and understand concepts related to getting a business started and going to market
with a product or service. Participants will produce a Canvas & determine if their
idea, business, or new product or service is validated/marketable.
| Module |
Business Model Canvas |
| 1 |
Customer Segments; Value Proposition |
| 2 |
Channels; Customer Relationships |
| 3 |
Revenue Streams; Key Resources |
| 4-5 |
Key Activities; Key Partners; Cost Structures |
| 6-10 |
Combination of the following** or optional topics to address local needs (led by subject
matter experts):
- Legal Structures
- Registering Businesses with the State
- Stakeholders
- Marketing
- Accounting
- Funding
- Franchising/Acquisition
- Local Resources (SBA, SBDC, VBOC, etc.)
**Additional concepts to be provided throughout program: Iteration, Pivoting, Minimum
Viable Product, AI for Small Business
|
| 11 |
Pitch Your Business Model |
Facilitated Growth Cohort (6-8 spaces available) | Spring 2027
Participants' Business Stage: Growth, Maturity, Exit
The 6-week Facilitated Growth Cohort combines 8 interactive modules, facilitated discussion,
and expert mentorship to help veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs strengthen
their businesses, overcome growth challenges, and position their companies for long-term
success. Includes required introduction/refresher to Business Model Canvas. Participants
will produce a Canvas & determine if their business is validated/marketable and scalable/expandable.
Combination of the following or optional topics:
- Timing
- Managing Stakeholders
- Constraints
- Growing your Team/Operations
- Raising/Accessing Capital/Business Plans
- Financials
- Scalability
- Infrastructure & AI for Small Business
- Pitching Your Business
- Funding Terminology and Phases
- Exit Strategy
Workshops** (September 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027 - Dates TBD):
- Local Resources
- AI Business Tools & Training
- Funding Resources & Opportunities
- Website, Social Media, & Marketing
**Note: Topics subject to change based on requests/needs of local veteran community.
Networking (September 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027 - Dates TBD):
- Program Kickoff - September 2026
- Veterans Day Event - on/around November 11, 2026
- Florida Atlantic Business Pitch Competition Veteran Track - April 2027
- Florida Atlantic Maverick Innovation Awards - April 2027
Eligibility
Participants must be:
● A Florida resident;
● An entrepreneur with a for-profit idea, startup business, or established business
and a need to test their risks and assumptions for a new product or service in Florida;
and, one of the following:
○ Discharged veteran with other than bad conduct or dishonorable discharge;
○ Active duty member of the United States military within 12 months of End Term of
Service (ETS), or a member of the Florida National Guard or United States Reserves;
○ Spouse or unremarried former spouse of a veteran or service member
Note: Facilitated Growth Cohort participants must have a revenue generating for-profit
business entity incorporated with the State of Florida on Sunbiz.
Veterans Florida is a nonprofit established by the State of Florida to help veterans,
transitioning service members, and military spouses build successful civilian lives
in Florida. Through education, workforce training, entrepreneurship, and strategic
partnerships across the state, Veterans Florida connects the military community with
the resources and opportunities needed to succeed.
VISIT THE VETERANS FLORIDA WEBSITE
TALLAHASSEE, FL — Boca Raton businessman Logan Skees received the Governor's Young
Entrepreneur Award in 2017 as a graduate of the Veterans Florida Entrepreneur Program
offered by the Florida Atlantic University Adams Center for Entrepreneurship.
