Veterans Florida Announces Entrepreneurship Program Partners

Veterans Florida has selected the newest group of Network Partner
Organizations to participate in their Entrepreneurship Program. The program offers online and
in-person instruction to provide veterans with the knowledge necessary to open and operate
their own business. This year Veterans Florida will be partnering with Florida Atlantic University,
Florida Gulf Coast University, University of Central Florida, Action Zone, Tallahassee Community
College and University of West Florida.

“We are very excited to launch our fourth year of the entrepreneurship program with a new
group of network partners,” said Bobby Carbonell, Veterans Florida Executive Director.
“Entrepreneurship is an extremely valuable employment option for veterans and the courses
and instruction provided through this program have proven extremely effective for those who
participate. In just the past few years we’ve seen more than 100 veterans successfully start their
own business and generate nearly $22 million in revenue for the state. Being able to support
themselves and their families is a big deal to our veterans and we’re proud to be able to assist
with this endeavor.”

Nearly one in four active duty service members and veterans want to own and operate their
own business. To aid in their efforts, the Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program was
created to provide cost-effective, online or in-person instruction. The program offers three
different pathways designed to match each individual’s level of knowledge and busy schedule.
The first path is designed for those just beginning to consider entrepreneurship, as it allows
participants to browse online courses and uncover basic instructions. For those with early-stage
ideas, on-site workshops are available at one of the program’s partner locations to provide
specialized instruction on small business development. The Advanced Program is over nine
weeks of in-class training and is the final step of instruction, designed for veterans with well
defined business ideas or companies already in the early-stages of development. The Advanced
Program requires veterans to apply online by submitting an application. If a candidate is
selected, a $250 fee is required prior to the start of classes. Selected participants will experience
a curriculum with concepts ranging from crafting a business plan to accessing capital for new
business ventures.
“As soon as I heard about the Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program I knew that I wanted
to sign up,” said Corey Goltz, owner of Cadily. “Having an idea and creating a successful business
are two separate concepts. This program gave me the tools I needed to structure and maintain a
profitable company while also providing an opportunity to network in-person with professors,
students, and other professionals who had graduated the program and achieved success.”

Veterans Florida is currently accepting applications for the Entrepreneurship Program. For more
information about Veterans Florida or the entrepreneurship program, please visit
www.veteransflorida.org.

About Veterans Florida
Veterans Florida is a non-profit corporation created by the State of Florida to help veterans
transition to civilian life. The organization provides many tools for veterans to take advantage of
including a gateway to veteran-friendly educational institutions and programs to maximize
veteran employment opportunities across the state.