Make starting a business your New Year’s Resolution > United States Coast Guard > My Coast Guard News

Having a great idea is just the first step towards entrepreneurship, and with the right guidance your business ambitions can be brought closer to reality through the Veteran Ventures Program (VVP). Offered through Centenary University, the VVP is currently taking applications for the February 2025 Cohort. The deadline to apply is Jan. 27, 2025!

The VVP is a free, grant-funded, entrepreneurship training program consisting of nine weeks of interactive online training sessions followed by ten months of business review and coaching provided by industry leaders.   

The program is open to all ambitious entrepreneurs that are: 

• Active duty 
• Reservists 
• Veterans/retirees 
• CG civilians  
• CG family members  

Through the program, seasoned entrepreneurs and industry leaders guide participants who are interested in starting their own business through the process of conducting a feasibility study for their idea, developing a business plan, and presenting their plan to potential investors and the public. The VVP includes eight hybrid training sessions, hands-on clinics, a speaker series, and workshops with credentialed consultants. In addition, participants will take part in a final Pitch Competition and receive 10 months of free business review and coaching by industry leaders. 

The fall cohort of the VVP ended on Nov. 19, 2024. Eight of the 11 class participants (73%) were affiliated with the Coast Guard, including Coast Guard enlisted, officer, and civilian participants. In addition, two of the Coast Guard participants tied to win the final Pitch Presentation competition that closed out the class. Both presentation winners spoke positively about their experience: 

Lt. Eyobe Mills, Chief of Waterways Management at the Marine Safety Unit, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania noted the following: 

“The VVP program provided me with the opportunity to transform my idea of offering personal finance education to students in socioeconomically disadvantaged communities into a fully developed business plan. Throughout the program, I gained valuable insights into the critical components required to start and sustain a small business.” 

The second Pitch Competition winner, MSTC Steven Andrzejewski, Course Chief at Training Center Yorktown, also had good things to say about the VVP: 

“VVP was a valuable tool in getting my new Landscaping business off the ground.  We covered weekly topics to help us develop a business plan and understand all aspects of opening up a new business.  Because of VVP, I have a better understanding of the journey I’m about to begin.  VVP strengthened my network and provided me with the tools needed to run a successful business” 

The next VVP course starts on Feb. 11, 2025 and ends April 8, 2025. Applications are due by Jan. 27, 2025. 

Ready to apply? Click on the registration link at the top of the VVP site and you will be contacted with additional application and interview requirements  

For questions about the program, please contact FORCECOM’s Civilian Career Management (CCM) Office at [email protected].

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