WBI and AFRL Reach Entrepreneurs, Small Businesses and Innovators at 2019 TechStars Dayton Startup Week

Across the nation, groups are eagerly jumping on the bandwagon. The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation promotes events across its social media network. The National League of Cities hopped aboard by creating a helpful ”Supporting Entrepreneurs and Small Business - A Tool Kit for Local Leaders” guide. And the Mentoring for Small Business and Entrepreneurs offers an exciting new Circles of Seven Mentoring Program to help small business owners learn from seasoned pros. These are just a few examples of the wave that’s sweeping the small business world to allow for an ever-increasing number of connection opportunities between government and innovation hubs.

Proximity to Success

Since the DoD is a major investor in new technologies, it goes without saying that startup events want to heavily cater to the military branches. Holding events near military installations makes things convenient for all parties involved. And now Google is throwing their backing behind a few initiatives to increase support for vets who want to compete, too! Google for Startups partners with veteran nonprofits near military bases and with ventures like Bunker Labs, Patriot Boot Camp, and Veteran Capital which help transitioning service members, vets, and spouses reach their small business goals.

Google’s not the only one getting in on the action. Through an Obama-era White House initiative called Startup America, entrepreneurs benefit from policies designed to increase access to capital funding, connect mentorships, lower barriers to growth, accelerate innovation from lab to market, and generate new market opportunities in underserved industries. By recognizing the inherent value of startups in terms of job creation, Startup America empowers entrepreneurs to grow their businesses. But it’s up to DoD agencies to get out there and attend existing events, sponsor new ones, and foster a welcoming environment near military installations to offer these entrepreneurs more chances to showcase their products and services to the government first...before someone else snatches them up!