Kennesaw State University’s Coles College of Business has partnered with Syracuse University to introduce the Startup Training Resources to Inspire Veteran Entrepreneurship (STRIVE) program. This eight-week initiative is designed to support military families in starting and growing their own businesses.
The STRIVE program, originally developed by Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans and Military Families, has already trained more than 70,000 military and veteran entrepreneurs nationwide. The program aims to expand economic opportunities for veterans and their families.
“STRIVE is designed as a mini accelerator where veterans learn by doing,” said Steve Phelan, director of the program. “Each week, they are introduced to a new topic, apply it directly to their business development, and report back to their team. Participants move at their own pace, with the only expectation being forward motion each week. Four of the eight weeks feature veteran subject matter experts who share practical insight from their own experience.”
The free program is open to veterans, active-duty service members, National Guard members, reservists, and military spouses. It offers targeted training in areas such as business planning and marketing, access to local and national networks, and opportunities for participants to pitch their ideas during weekly classes at the HatchBridge Incubator. The incubator is located at 1111 Chastain Road and provides space for entrepreneurs to develop and grow businesses.
Participants have noted positive impacts from the program. Jennifer Smith, a Navy and Air Force veteran participating in STRIVE, stated: “I came all the way from McDonough to participate in the STRIVE program because I wanted to challenge myself and invest in my future as a veteran entrepreneur. STRIVE is helping me not just dream about owning a business but actually take the steps to make it a reality.”
Another participant, Grover Henry, said: “Veterans, this is it. STRIVE is rocket fuel for entrepreneurs.”
Currently, nineteen individuals are enrolled in the program. This reflects ongoing demand for military-focused entrepreneurship support in Georgia.
Kennesaw State University continues its commitment beyond this initiative by providing resources through its Department of Military and Veterans Services. The university has been recognized as a Military Friendly School by VIQTORY—a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business—and offers various programs aimed at supporting academic success and career development for service members and veterans.
For further details on STRIVE or other military-focused services offered by Kennesaw State University’s Coles College of Business or Department of Military and Veterans Services, additional information can be found on their respective webpages.
