The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) kicked-off National Veterans Small Business Week by launching a new public-private entrepreneurship training program called the Boots to Business Reboot Program.
The Boots to Business Reboot program is offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration through a public private partnership with the Institute of Veterans and Military Families, the Marcus Foundation and First Data Corporation. This free course is open to Veterans of all eras (Servicemembers, including members of the National Guard and Reserves) and their spouses. The curriculum provides assistance to those interested in exploring business ownership or other self-employment opportunities by leading them through the key steps for evaluating business concepts and providing foundational knowledge required to develop a business plan. In addition, participants are introduced to SBA resources available to access start-up capital, technical assistance and contracting opportunities.
This partnership will allow the SBA to present more than 100 entrepreneurial training workshops over the next year to veterans of all eras, service members (including members of the National Guard and Reserves) and their spouses.
“Military veterans represent a vast pool of talent and tested skills that makes them natural business leaders,” said SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet. “This private-public partnership will make it possible for more veterans to gain the tools necessary to start their own successful businesses and create good jobs in their communities.”
The Boots to Business: Reboot curriculum will introduce veterans to the fundamentals of business ownership including evaluating business concepts and developing a business plan. Course participants will be introduced to their local SBA resource partners, consisting of Veterans Business Outreach Centers, Women's Business Centers, Small Business Development Centers and SCORE.
The Boots to Business Reboot program is a two step entrepreneurial training program.
Step one is the Introduction to Entrepreneurship course for those interested in learning more about the opportunities and challenges of business ownership. This course is instructed by the SBA and its partners who are skilled business advisors. Participants learn business basics and techniques for evaluating the feasibility of their business concepts.
Step two is the eight-week online Foundations of Entrepreneurship course instructed by a consortium of professors and practitioners led by the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University. By dedicating a minimum of 10 hours per week to connected and independent study, participants work through the fundamentals of developing an actionable business plan.
Additionally, upon completion of the introductory course, participants will be eligible to register for “Foundations of Entrepreneurship,” an eight-week, online course led by instructors from Syracuse University's IVMF that offers in-depth instruction on the elements of a business plan and techniques and tips for starting a business.
To learn more about the Boots to Business: Reboot entrepreneurship training program, visit www.sba.gov/bootstobusinessreboot or contact the SBA district office in your local community.
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