Cornerstone guide
Best entrepreneurship programs for military spouses
34 programs that explicitly serve military spouses and family members. Training, cohorts, mentorship, grants, and networks. All free or non-dilutive.
Military spouse unemployment sits at 22 percent, the highest of any category in the country. Entrepreneurship is a real alternative career path that moves with the military lifestyle. These programs know that.
Every spouse-inclusive program in the library
Confirm current eligibility on each program page. Some programs serve spouses differently from veterans (different cohorts, different deadlines).
American Corporate Partners
Post-9/11 vets and active military spouses; 1-year mentor pairing with corporate executives.
SBA + IVMF (Syracuse)
Service members, vets, military spouses. Two-day intro intensive at military installations + online.
SBA + IVMF
Vets, military spouses, caregivers. 8-week deeper-dive entrepreneurship program.
University of Texas at Arlington
Military-connected business owners, entrepreneurs, startups, decision-makers, and anyone interested in starting or growing military-connected small businesses. Open to vets, spouses, families, and civilians who support the mission.
Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship (IECE), CSUSB
Veterans, active duty service members, and military spouses. Southern California focus but open to broader applicants.
IVMF at Syracuse University + JPMorgan Chase (Founding Partner)
Veteran or military spouse CEOs and senior executives, controlling shareholders. Company must gross $1M+ annual revenue OR have raised $5M+ in capital. All industries welcome.
Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
Vets, military-affiliated founders, and spouses building for-profit businesses. Free 3-day intensive plus year-round programming.
Farmer Veteran Coalition (501c3)
Veterans, active-duty service members, and military spouses interested in farming, ranching, or food/agriculture careers. Free membership.
IVMF (Syracuse University)
Spouses/caregivers of vets with service-connected disabilities.
IVMF (Syracuse University) + Central Oregon Community College
Veterans with DD-214, active-duty within reach of separation, and eligible dependents (spouses, family with COE/SOB/DD1300). Applicants must have a budding business concept. Requires application, resume, letter of recommendation, and service documentation.
IVMF (Syracuse University) + East Tennessee State University
Veterans with DD-214, active-duty within reach of separation, and eligible dependents (spouses, family with COE/SOB/DD1300). Applicants must have a budding business concept. Requires application, resume, letter of recommendation, and service documentation.
IVMF (Syracuse University) + Hillsborough Community College
Veterans with DD-214, active-duty within reach of separation, and eligible dependents (spouses, family with COE/SOB/DD1300). Applicants must have a budding business concept. Requires application, resume, letter of recommendation, and service documentation.
IVMF (Syracuse University) + Houston Community College
Veterans with DD-214, active-duty within reach of separation, and eligible dependents (spouses, family with COE/SOB/DD1300). Applicants must have a budding business concept. Requires application, resume, letter of recommendation, and service documentation.
IVMF (Syracuse University) + Kaua'i Community College
Veterans with DD-214, active-duty within reach of separation, and eligible dependents (spouses, family with COE/SOB/DD1300). Applicants must have a budding business concept. Requires application, resume, letter of recommendation, and service documentation.
IVMF (Syracuse University) + Kennesaw State University
Veterans with DD-214, active-duty within reach of separation, and eligible dependents (spouses, family with COE/SOB/DD1300). Applicants must have a budding business concept. Requires application, resume, letter of recommendation, and service documentation.
IVMF (Syracuse University) + Miami Valley Entrepreneurs Center
Veterans with DD-214, active-duty within reach of separation, and eligible dependents (spouses, family with COE/SOB/DD1300). Applicants must have a budding business concept. Requires application, resume, letter of recommendation, and service documentation.
IVMF (Syracuse University) + Pellissippi State Community College
Veterans with DD-214, active-duty within reach of separation, and eligible dependents (spouses, family with COE/SOB/DD1300). Applicants must have a budding business concept. Requires application, resume, letter of recommendation, and service documentation.
IVMF (Syracuse University) + Pima Community College
Veterans with DD-214, active-duty within reach of separation, and eligible dependents (spouses, family with COE/SOB/DD1300). Applicants must have a budding business concept. Requires application, resume, letter of recommendation, and service documentation.
IVMF (Syracuse University) + Utah Veteran Business Resource Center (VBRC)
Veterans with DD-214, active-duty within reach of separation, and eligible dependents (spouses, family with COE/SOB/DD1300). Applicants must have a budding business concept. Requires application, resume, letter of recommendation, and service documentation.
IVMF (Syracuse University)
Women veterans, women active duty, female military spouses.
IVMF at Syracuse University
Vets, active military, and military spouses with an active business idea. Successor to the former Veterans in Residence and Breaking Barriers in Entrepreneurship community programs.
Pat Tillman Foundation
Three eligibility tracks: (1) Active-duty service members from all branches, (2) veterans of any era with honorable discharge, (3) military spouses of active-duty or veteran service members. Applicants must be pursuing a graduate degree or completing their final year of undergraduate study on a full-time basis at an accredited US institution. Selection is merit-based, evaluating academic performance, leadership, personal character, and demonstrated service to community.
PenFed Foundation
Veteran and military spouse founders at accelerator stage. Part of the PenFed Foundation Veteran Entrepreneur Program (VEP).
PenFed Foundation
Veteran and military spouse founders at the incubator stage. Part of the PenFed Foundation Veteran Entrepreneur Program (VEP). Free, equity-free.
U.S. Small Business Administration + DoD Transition Assistance Program
Transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses. Delivered as part of the DoD Transition Assistance Program (TAP) on military installations worldwide.
The Rosie Network (501c3)
Veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses launching or growing a small business. National reach.
Gary W. Rollins College of Business, UT Chattanooga
Veterans, transitioning service members, and eligible family members. Cohort-based selection.
IVMF at Syracuse University
Veteran and military spouse business owners scaling existing companies. IVMF's flagship growth-stage event.
U.S. Small Business Administration
Vets, transitioning service members, military spouses. 28 regional centers + 1 national.
VetsinTech (501c3)
U.S. military veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses interested in technology careers and entrepreneurship. Chapter membership is free.
Warrior Rising (501c3) + Virginia Tech
Veteran and military spouse founders building technology, SaaS, and dual-use solutions. Pre-seed, execution stage.
Warrior Rising (501c3)
Warrior University graduates only. Invitation-only for the most competitive veteran and military spouse founders.
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
Weekly digest of programs, grants, and deadlines. Filtered for military spouse and family founders. Every Monday at 6am ET. Free.