Pellissippi State Community College has launched a new partnership to help military veterans and their spouses establish a new business or sustain an existing one.
In conjunction with the Tennessee Small Business Development Center, Pellissippi State is offering the STRIVE (Startup Training Resources to Inspire Veteran Entrepreneurship) program at no cost to participants.
Over a period of nine weeks, participants will learn about the different elements of creating a business. They’ll learn how to develop a business plan; discern their value proposition, target markets and customers; create a market strategy and competitive analysis; recruit customers; and work through the challenges of funding their ideas.
At the conclusion of their coursework, participants who are prepared to move to the next phase of establishing their business will have an opportunity to pitch their plan and earn cash rewards.
“This is an amazing opportunity for veterans in our community to get the assistance they need in achieving their dream of owning their own business,” said Knoxville’s Tennessee Small Business Development Center Director Gregg Bostick.
“The program, offered in conjunction with Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF), is a unique opportunity for veterans in our area to benefit in a significant way. There will be huge advantages for those who participate,” he said.
Applications are welcome from all veterans, active duty (within one year of discharge) and military spouses. The nine-week course begins Sept. 19 and will be held at Pellissippi’s Blount County campus in the Ruth and Steve West Center.
Seats are limited and applicants will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis so applications need to be completed as soon as possible. All applicants must fill out an online application and should have an existing business or a business idea to in order to participate in the program.
Click HERE to begin the application process.