Stories of Technology, Innovation, & Entrepreneurship in the Southeast

The program, run in partnership with the Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC), was inspired by the National Association of Community College Entrepreneurship and the Institute for Veteran and Military Families at Syracuse University.

Gregg Bostick, director of the TSBDC, helped launch STRIVE several years ago. Now, he oversees the program.

“We recognized we needed to do a better job of reaching our veteran entrepreneur community,” Bostick said. “When you heatmap Blount, Knox and surrounding counties, there’s strong veteran populations and strong entrepreneur populations.”

STRIVE has drawn participants from Blount, Knox, Anderson, Sevier, Monroe and Loudon counties. The college’s first cohort included seven business owners; the second grew to double digits. Bostick is excited for what this year brings.

Eligibility

• 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.
• 50% or more of the business must be owned by a Veteran, active military service member, Reserve/Guard, or military spouse.

What to expect

Across the eight weeks, participants will hear from guest instructors covering legal issues, business strategy and marketing, along with a lenders panel.

With pre-course and between-class assignments, Bostick knows that this is a commitment. But he’s also the first to say that veterans know best how to roll up their sleeves and commit.

“You’re committing three hours plus your travel time for eight weeks, but what you will get out of it is access to resources that would be very expensive if you had to pay for them on your own and an invaluable network,” Bostick said. “The bonds that these cohort members form have led graduates to refer business to one another. It’s often their first real networking group.”

While other similar courses out there conclude in a pitch competition, this program ends with a graduation pitch event where pooled sponsorship dollars are divided among participants. This gives all participants some funds to take what they’ve learned and kickstart their business. For businesses and individuals interested in sponsoring, email Bostick here.

At completion, participants will gain free access to professional-grade tools such as IBISWorld industry reports and LivePlan business-planning software which is a huge cost-savings. Graduates will become eligible for Syracuse’s IVMF alumni network and additional programming as well.

Apply now

With the cohort beginning Sept. 17, applications close at the end of August. Apply here.

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