Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced it has awarded $1 million to Syracuse University’s Institute for Veteran & Military Families (IVMF) for providing entrepreneurship training to military service members and their spouses, both within and stationed outside of the continental United States and overseas.
This funding, offered by SBA’s Office of Veterans Business Development, will enable IVMF to deliver “Boots to Business,” the entrepreneurship track of the Department of Defense’s Transition Assistance Program and follow-on training, to military families overseas.
“The Syracuse University Institute for Veteran & Military Families is a crown jewel in our nation’s advancement of post-service lives of America’s service members, veterans and their families. IMVF, a Tier 1 Community Navigator, will use this funding to continue aiding transitioning military, veterans and their families’ return to active civilian life by harnessing the exceptional skills learned while in uniform, such as discipline, work ethic, strategic planning and incorporating them to their entrepreneurship goals,” said SBA Atlantic Regional Administrator Marlene Cintron, who oversees the federal agency’s operations throughout New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico & the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“Syracuse University has long been a top institution for veterans and veteran entrepreneurs, and IVMF has displayed an unparalleled commitment and capability to train transitioning service members and their spouses for entrepreneurship,” said SBA Upstate New York District Director Bernard J. Paprocki. “Boots to Business not only supports participants’ growth, equipping them to successfully launch a business, but it also helps service members and families leverage their exceptional talents to grow the local economy upon returning home.”
The Boots to Business course provides an overview of entrepreneurship and applicable business ownership fundamentals, the same curriculum offered within the United States. This course is for active-duty service members (including National Guard and Reserve members), veterans, and spouses.
The award is for an initial 12-month project period plus four option years, subject to the availability of funds.
SBA’s Boots to Business program has served more than 156,000 transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses since its launch on January 1, 2013. The program is a collaborative effort between SBA district offices, SBA resource partners (Veterans Business Outreach Centers, Association of Women’s Business Centers, SCORE, Small Business Development Centers), SBA’s Office of Veterans Business Development, and grant (cooperative agreement) partners.
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