UF Veterans Entrepreneurship Program

ure creation and small business ownership. To support veterans who have given service to our country above and beyond the call of duty, the VEP will assist those who have a desire to make a successful transition from military life into the entrepreneurial business world. The VEP offers a unique, innovative training program that integrates hands-on learning with online support geared towards helping delegates learn how to create successful, profitable ventures. A team of world-class faculty, successful entrepreneurs, subject matter experts and MBA students will work with delegates, providing challenging, interactive and informative experience. The program provides opportunities to explore entrepreneurial ideas, concepts, tools, and frameworks. Most importantly, VEP participants will learn and understand how to apply these principles and tools to current or potential businesses. The VEP revolves around a core Boot Camp for entrepreneurs, an intensive eight-day on-site training camp preceded by a two-month online self-study component and followed by ten months of mentorship and online peer to peer networking. The VEP Boot Camp will cover the critical areas of success for small businesses. This integrated model----a three phase program covering key modules of successful entrepreneurship----offers an innovative and effective combination of focused, practical training in venture creation and growth, accompanied by a support structure for graduates of the program. VEP Phase I: Concept Development and Self Study / March 30, 2015 – May 1, 2015
Over the initial two-month period, delegates participate in a self-study curriculum developed for the
VEP. This is facilitated through an online discussion and assessment module moderated by entrepreneurship faculty and graduate students from the Warrington College of Business. This phase enables delegates to work on development of business concepts and prepare for the intense Boot Camp to be held at the UF Gainesville campus in Spring 2015. Those with existing businesses will work on understanding and shaping relevant business issues. VEP Phase II: Entrepreneurs’ Boot Camp / May 9, 2015 – May 16, 2015
Like a military Boot Camp, this eight-day residency in Gainesville, Florida is intense, rigorous, and demanding. It is an opportunity for hands-on learning and interaction with faculty, guest entrepreneurs, business experts and peer delegates. The Boot Camp exposes VEP participants to the “nuts and bolts” of business ownership through experiential workshops and lessons from world-class entrepreneurship faculty representing nationally ranked programs around the country. VEP Phase III: Mentoring and Venture Development / June 1, 2015 – November 15, 2015
Delegates are provided with 8 months of ongoing mentorship from entrepreneurship experts at the University of Florida and online peer-to-peer networking. This phase of the VEP enables delegates to get feedback specific to their ventures and offers extended hands-on learning that is critical to success. Sample Topics Include:
•Business Concepts – How do I know if my idea is a viable one?
•Business Plans – Do I need one and how do I develop and implement this?
•Funding – How much money do I really need, and how do I get it?
•Marketing – What is the best way to define and reach my market, and how do I get the answers?
•Accounting – What do I need to know about numbers?
•Operations – Service delivery, cost controls, and other elements that make the business work
•Human Resources – What do I need to know about hiring, firing, outsourcing or staffing?
•Legal Issues – When to hire a lawyer and how to ask the right questions
…and much more! Eligibility:
Applications to the VEP will be accepted from candidates who:

•Have separated from active-duty service (or are currently in the administrative process of separating)
•Are identified as disabled by the Veteran’s Administration or DoD authority based on a “service- connected” disability OR have received a distinguished-service honor or medal due to exemplary military service
•Demonstrate a strong interest in entrepreneurship and small business ownership/ management

Cost:
This program is entirely free to the veteran. Application Process:
The VEP has a rigorous and selective application process that reflects the unique opportunity and valuable resources being offered to eligible veterans as part of this entrepreneurial education initiative. Successful candidates will demonstrate a strong interest in entrepreneurship and venture creation, the motivation to own and operate a business, and a high likelihood of active participation and completion of the entire VEP program. The deadline for applications is March 2, 2015. Space is limited and applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Applications are online at: www.warrington.ufl.edu/VEP

Contact us for more information on the VEP:

The Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Warrington College of Business Administration
University of Florida
(352)273-0330
[email protected]

In Partnership with Florida Works








About Entrepreneurship at the University of Florida:

The Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
The Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation is a nationally recognized, award winning program that was created to teach, coach and inspire students at the University of Florida to think and lead entrepreneurial lives. The Center provides students the tools and experiences necessary to creatively pursue new opportunities and innovations in the start-up, social, and corporate venture arenas. Through courses, degree programs and high impact experiential learning activities, CEI currently serves more than 2,000 students per year. CEI successfully reaches students within the business school as well as across the UF campus. With one of the most comprehensive academic programs in the world, the CEI is a leading innovator in educating current and future entrepreneurs. CEI offers one of the most comprehensive specialized degree programs in the nation focused on entrepreneurship, the Thomas S. Johnson Masters in Entrepreneurship. In addition to its academic program and curriculum, the Center is engaged with the entrepreneurial community and dedicated to experiential learning for students. Programs include the GatorNest consulting program, the Experiential Classroom for educators, the Gator Business Plan Competition, the Entrepreneurship in Residence Fellows, ITV Commercialization initiative, the disabled Veterans Entrepreneurship Program and more. For more information on the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Florida, go to: www.warrington.ufl.edu/centers/cei