{"id":2737,"date":"2025-06-20T14:26:47","date_gmt":"2025-06-20T18:26:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/business\/?p=2737"},"modified":"2025-08-20T12:25:13","modified_gmt":"2025-08-20T16:25:13","slug":"empowering-veterans-through-entrepreneurship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/business\/2025\/06\/20\/empowering-veterans-through-entrepreneurship\/","title":{"rendered":"Empowering veterans through entrepreneurship"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) stands at the forefront of supporting veterans transitioning to civilian life through its Veterans Entrepreneurship Program<\/a> (VEP). Now in its 14th<\/sup> year, the VEP is a transformative initiative designed to equip veterans with the skills, knowledge and networks necessary to launch and grow successful businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our 2025 cohort has already kicked off with online course work, and we\u2019re excited to meet participants on-site in Chattanooga in just a few short weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEvery year, we get to witness an incredible transformation. Veterans come to the program with drive and determination, and over the course of the VEP, you can see their confidence grow as their ideas take shape,\u201d said VEP Director Sandra Cordell. \u201cThey leave not just with a business plan, but with a renewed sense of purpose and belief in what\u2019s possible. It\u2019s an honor to be part of that journey.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A comprehensive three-phase program<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The VEP is structured into three distinct phases:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Phase I: Concept development and self-study<\/strong>
    Participants engage in a five-week online curriculum focusing on business concept development. This phase includes discussions and assignments led by UTC’s faculty.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Phase II: Boot camp (July 19 \u2013 26, 2025)<\/strong>
    Participants will come to Chattanooga for an intensive eight-day program where they\u2019ll deep-dive into topics including business planning, funding strategies, marketing, operations and legal considerations. While it\u2019s not your average physical training, the group will experience hands-on workshops, expert-led sessions and interactions with successful veteran entrepreneurs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Phase III: Advisement and venture development<\/strong>
    This is where the rubber meets the road. Our entrepreneurs return to their hometowns where the real work begins. Participants receive ongoing mentorship and peer-to-peer networking to refine their business strategies and overcome challenges.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Proven impact<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cI started my business because of this program,\u201d said VEP graduate Paul Whitten. \u201cI probably wouldn\u2019t have launched otherwise. If you are a veteran and want to start a business, you would be crazy not to participate in VEP.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Since its inception, the VEP program at UTC has graduated over 180 veterans. Combined, their businesses have generated $123 million in revenue and created over 524 jobs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    VEP meets VEP 2.0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Every other year, we invite VEP graduates back for a VEP 2.0<\/strong> program. The members of this group have successfully launched their business(es) and are digging deeper into essential skills for continuing momentum. While it\u2019s not an eight-day boot camp, these participants will enjoy several days of workshops, mentoring sessions and peer-to-peer collaboration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This year will be the first time the VEP and the VEP 2.0 sessions will overlap, giving our graduates an opportunity to encourage the newest cohort of veteran entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Visit the UTC VEP website<\/a> to learn more about the program.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) stands at the forefront of supporting veterans transitioning to civilian life through its Veterans Entrepreneurship Program (VEP). Now in its 14th year, the VEP is a transformative initiative designed to equip veterans with the skills, knowledge and networks necessary to launch and grow successful businesses. Our 2025 cohort… <\/p>\n

    Continue Reading <\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2039,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1,71,120230],"tags":[120236,51,116,57,9270,120234,120238,120232,120233,120231,37200,73142,120237],"class_list":{"0":"post-2737","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-alumni","7":"category-uncategorized","8":"category-veteran-entrepreneurship-program","9":"tag-boot-camp","10":"tag-business","11":"tag-chattanooga","12":"tag-college-of-business","13":"tag-entrepreneurship","14":"tag-mentor","15":"tag-small-business","16":"tag-startup","17":"tag-venture","18":"tag-vep","19":"tag-veteran","20":"tag-veteran-entrepreneur","21":"tag-veteran-support","22":"entry","23":"has-post-thumbnail"},"yoast_head":"\nEmpowering veterans through entrepreneurship - Gary W. 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