Veteran entrepreneurship is fostered by a non-profit organization through an apprenticeship scheme, providing ongoing assistance. The organization offers a 'lifetime of support' to veterans starting their businesses.
In the heart of California, Semper Fi & America's Fund, a non-profit organisation founded in 2003 by military spouses, has been supporting veterans for over 13 years. Initially established to aid those injured while serving in Afghanistan and Iraq, the organisation has since expanded its mission to include supporting veterans in launching businesses.
Semper Fi & America's Fund offers an apprenticeship program that lasts approximately 12 months and graduates around 25 veterans each year. This program provides education, mentorship, and financial assistance, recognising the unique skills and talents that veterans bring to the table.
Experts believe that veterans offer untapped talent amid ongoing labor shortages, and the principles they are taught in the military often give them a natural edge in entrepreneurship. However, veterans face two main challenges when transitioning to entrepreneurship: lack of funding and feeling isolated.
Recognising these challenges, Semper Fi & America's Fund's apprenticeship program offers a crash course in entrepreneurship, covering subjects like finance and marketing. Participants can also be granted money to cover the cost of tools, equipment, and training once they can create comprehensive business plans.
The team of advisors at Semper Fi & America's Fund works with program participants to help them find out what motivates them. Since its inception, around 250 veterans have graduated from the program, and businesses launched through it include food trucks, gyms, online shops, and comic book stores.
One significant veteran-owned company supported by Semper Fi & America's Fund is Black Rifle Coffee Company, founded in 2014. Today, Semper Fi & America's Fund operates with the same military spouses and provides care to service members, veterans, and military families.
The program at Semper Fi & America's Fund aims to be a lifetime source of support for veterans, acknowledging that post-traumatic stress may not present itself for 20 years. By providing the tools and resources needed to succeed in entrepreneurship, Semper Fi & America's Fund is making a lasting impact on the lives of veterans and their families.
