Program comparison
Warrior Rising Academy vs University
Both are Warrior Rising programs. Both are free. Both are for veteran founders. They serve different stages and answer different questions. Here is how to know which one fits you now.
The short version
- Warrior Academy is self-paced. 40 modules. Build a 5-Paragraph OPORD business plan on your own schedule.
- Warrior University is live and cohort-based. Expert instructors, structured schedule, prep for the Business Showers pitch competition.
- Academy first, University second. Most vet founders do them in sequence. Some skip Academy if they already have a business plan.
| Dimension | Warrior Academy | Warrior University |
|---|---|---|
| Who it serves | Vet founders with an idea or in the earliest pre-revenue stage. Anyone who wants to structure their thinking before building anything. | Vet founders who are past the idea phase and either have an MVP or first customers. Ready for live coaching and pitch prep. |
| Format | Self-paced. 40 video modules using the 5-Paragraph OPORD business plan framework. Includes free LaunchPlan software. | Live instructor-led sessions with expert facilitators. Cohort-based, structured schedule. |
| Time commitment | Flexible. Complete on your own schedule. Typical students finish in 6-12 weeks at ~4-8 hours per week. | Fixed cohort schedule. Requires ~6-10 hours per week including live sessions. Duration varies by cohort. |
| What you build | A completed 5-Paragraph OPORD business plan and a validated idea framework. | A refined go-to-market strategy, customer discovery findings, and a pitch prepared for Business Showers. |
| What you leave with | Business plan document, framework fluency, LaunchPlan software access, and preparedness for Warrior University. | Certificate of completion, expert mentor network, and eligibility to apply for Warrior Rising Business Showers pitch competition. |
| Cost | Free. | Free. |
| Selectivity | Open enrollment. Anyone who completed LaunchPoint or self-selects in. | Application-based. Requires completed Warrior Academy or equivalent (proven business fundamentals). |
| Best career stage | Idea validation and business plan development. | Pre-revenue to early-revenue. Ready to pitch for capital. |
| What comes next | Warrior University if you want live coaching, or self-directed action if you want to move fast alone. | Business Showers pitch competition ($2K-$150K grants), or Activate (Virginia Tech accelerator) if venture-scale. |
Pick Warrior Academy if
- You have a business idea and want to structure your thinking before building.
- You want to move at your own pace on your own schedule.
- You do not have a business plan yet, or your plan is untested.
- You are pre-revenue and still validating whether the idea is worth pursuing.
Pick Warrior University if
- You have a business plan or MVP and need to refine it under expert coaching.
- You want live instruction and cohort accountability.
- You are planning to apply for Business Showers or another pitch competition.
- You have first customers or LOIs and need help thinking through go-to-market.
Do them in sequence
Most vet founders do Academy first, then University. Academy gives you the framework and business plan. University gives you the coaching to refine it and pitch it. Programs are designed to connect. If you already have a solid business plan and want to skip Academy, University will let you in.
Program pages
Full details, current deadlines, editor take, and application URLs.
Warrior Rising (501c3)
U.S. military veterans, military spouses, and immediate family members ready to start or grow a business without formal business training.
Warrior Rising (501c3) + flagship educational institution partners
Veterans, military spouses, and immediate family members with an early-stage startup who have completed Warrior Academy (or equivalent) and are ready for advanced training.
Monday Deadlines
Warrior Rising cohort openings and other vet founder program deadlines. Every Monday at 6am ET. Free.