Veterans Succeeding in Entrepreneurship Program

For the past fourteen years, The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) has been at the forefront of supporting veterans transitioning to civilian life through its Veterans Entrepreneurship Program (VEP). The VEP is an impactful initiative designed to equip veterans with the skills, knowledge, and networks necessary to launch and grow successful businesses.

“Every year, we get to witness an incredible transformation. Veterans come to the program with drive and determination, and over the course of the VEP, you can see their confidence grow as their ideas take shape,” said VEP Director Sandra Cordell. “They leave not just with a business plan, but with a renewed sense of purpose and belief in what is possible. It’s an honor to be part of that journey.”

The VEP is a comprehensive three-phase program, structured into three distinct phases:

Phase I: Concept development and self-study
Participants engage in a five-week online curriculum, focusing on business concept development. This phase includes discussions and assignments led by UTC’s faculty.

Phase II: Boot camp
Participants will come to Chattanooga for an intensive eight-day program where they will deep-dive into topics including business planning, funding strategies, marketing, operations, and legal considerations. The group experiences hands-on workshops, expert-led sessions, and interactions with successful veteran entrepreneurs.

Phase III: Advisement and venture development
These entrepreneurs return to their hometowns where the real work begins. Participants receive ongoing mentorship and peer-to-peer networking to refine their business strategies and overcome challenges.

The Tennessee Small Business Development Center at Chattanooga State Community College has been a proud partner of the UTC Veterans Entrepreneurship Program for more than eleven years. The Center provides mentoring, research support, sales and marketing strategies, and connections to the SBDC office closest to where each participant operates their business. “The Veterans Entrepreneurship Program is one of our favorite initiatives to support,” said Executive Director Lynn Chesnutt. “It is an honor to give back to those who have given so much to our country.”

“I started my business because of this program,” said VEP graduate Paul Whitten. “I probably wouldn’t have launched otherwise. If you are a veteran and want to start a business, you would be crazy not to participate in VEP.”

The VEP program at UTC has graduated over 180 veterans in its fourteen-year inception. Combined, their businesses have generated $123 million in revenue and created over 524 jobs. Every other year, the VEP graduates are invited back for a VEP 2.0 program. The members of this group have successfully launched their business(es) and are digging deeper into essential skills for continuing momentum. While it is not an eight-day boot camp, these participants still enjoy several days of workshops, mentoring sessions, and peer-to-peer collaboration.

This year will be the first time the VEP and the VEP 2.0 sessions will overlap, giving graduates an opportunity to encourage the newest cohort of veteran entrepreneurs.

Visit the UTC VEP website to learn more about the program which is currently accepting applications until April 30, 2026 for the VEP Boot Camp taking place July 18-25 , 2026.

Source: UTC.Edu