Oklahoma State University now accepting applications for 2014 Veterans Entrepreneurship Program


Oklahoma State University is now accepting applications for its annual program helping disabled veterans launch and grow their own businesses.

The Veterans Entrepreneurship Program (VEP) is an entrepreneurial training program designed to empower veterans by providing them resources needed to turn their business ideas into workable business models, as well as help them create companies and sustainable ventures.

The yearlong program is presented by the Riata Center for Entrepreneurship and the School of Entrepreneurship in the Spears School of Business at Oklahoma State University.

The yearlong program offers a three-phase, hands-on learning opportunity. Participants complete an online self-study session and an intense eight-day on-campus boot camp conducted by world-class entrepreneurship educators and successful entrepreneurs, which is followed by 10 months of mentoring and support from the Tulsa Rotary and volunteer entrepreneurs.

“The heart of our VEP includes lectures, workshops, and instruction in decision-making, product development, project management, contracts, manufacturing, and operations, the skills required to start and maintain real businesses,” said Craig Watters, professor in entrepreneurship and interim director of the Riata Center of Entrepreneurship.

The VEP is provided free of charge — including transportation, accommodations, books, food and instruction — to accepted applicants. OSU alumni and supporters have rallied around the program and donated thousands of dollars to help make VEP possible each year.

Drew and Heather Gomer, a married couple from Oklahoma City, took the knowledge learned from the program to open their own companies after attending the 2013 Veterans Entrepreneurship Program.

“I showed up to VEP with a business concept. The professors and entrepreneurs that made VEP possible guided me through the process of turning my idea into reality,” said Heather Gomer. “At the end of the course, when I pitched by business concept, every single panel member noted that they would invest in the company I was proposing to start. That was the beginning for me. I walked away from VEP with not only the knowledge I needed to get started, but also the support and encouragement I needed at the time.”

“This program provides all the tools for success and I would recommend it to all veterans interested in starting or growing their business,” added Drew Gomer. “I learned more in this course in a week than I did in the two-and-a-half year self-study of entrepreneurship.”

There are a limited number of positions available and interested veterans are encouraged to submit their application as early as possible. Applications for the 2013-2014 VEP are available online at http://entrepreneurship.okstate.edu/riata/veterans. Applications are due by Oct. 1, 2013.

 


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