Local Military Veteran Completes Entrepreneurship Bootcamp

Twenty-two military veterans completed the on-campus portion of Saint Joseph's Veterans Entrepreneurial Jumpstart program. Launched in 2015, the VEJ program was created by the Office of Veterans Services and is supported by the University's Haub School of Business. Recently, the program received a $50,000 grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

VEJ offers an intensive three-part program that begins with an online course of study to provide veterans with a foundation in business fundamentals and guidance in developing a business plan. The second phase, which was held from October 29 through November 6, was a week-long residency at Saint Joseph's University that included classroom instruction, guest lectures, panels, workshops, networking and mentoring.

At the conclusion of the residency, veterans competed in a "shark tank" style pitch competition and began year-long mentorships with business professionals.