Statewide training partner network will deliver a record 173 entrepreneurship events for Florida’s veterans and military families
Veterans Florida announced today the 17 partner organizations selected to deliver the Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program during the 2026-27 program year.
The expanded statewide network will deliver 173 entrepreneur opportunity events, the largest annual slate of entrepreneurship programming since the Program was established in 2016. Through Launch and Growth cohorts, workshops, networking events, mentorship, and other business-development resources, participants receive support tailored to their stage of the entrepreneurial journey.
“By adding four new partnerships and expanding statewide virtual cohorts, Veterans Florida is extending our reach and meeting veteran entrepreneurs where they are, both geographically and at every stage of their entrepreneurial journey,” said Veterans Florida Executive Director Joe Marino. “Our growing network provides veterans and military spouses with access to the training, mentorship, and connections they need to transform ideas into businesses and position existing companies for growth. This record level of programming reinforces Florida’s position as the premier state for veterans to start, grow, and succeed in business.”
The Veterans Florida Entrepreneur Program serves veterans, transitioning service members, members of the Florida National Guard and Reserves, and military spouses. Programming is available at no-cost to eligible participants and is designed to validate business ideas, launch new ventures, strengthen existing businesses, and build the relationships needed for long-term growth.
“Military service builds leaders. Entrepreneurship builds prosperity,” said Karl R. LaPan, Director of UF Innovate | Accelerate. “Together with Veterans Florida, we are helping veterans transform the discipline and resilience forged through service into thriving businesses that create opportunity for their families, strengthen communities, and contribute to Florida’s economy.”
Participants in Launch cohorts use tools such as the Business Model Canvas and Lean Canvas to test assumptions, identify customers, refine their value propositions, and determine whether their ideas are marketable. Growth cohorts provide established and emerging business owners with practical strategies for scaling, streamlining, and expanding their operations.
Workshops address general business topics such as business formation, marketing, accounting, access to capital, government contracting, franchising, acquisitions, and other challenges facing small business owners. Networking events connect participants with fellow entrepreneurs, mentors, business leaders, and community resources throughout Florida.
“We have seen firsthand the unique value of providing veterans and military spouses with a program specifically designed to help them translate their experience, leadership, and ideas into successful new ventures,” said Kevin Cox, Ph.D., MSE, Director of the Florida Atlantic Entrepreneurship Institute in the College of Business at Florida Atlantic University. “For more than a decade, Veterans Florida has proven to be an exceptional partner in that mission, and we are excited to continue working together to support Florida’s veteran entrepreneurial community.”
2026-27 Entrepreneur Program Partners
- Action Zone (Tampa) – Launch and Growth cohorts, workshops, and networking events
- Ascend Brevard (Space Coast) – Launch and Growth cohorts, workshops, and networking events
- Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (Tallahassee and statewide) – Virtual and in-person workshops and networking events
- Florida Association of Veteran-Owned Businesses (Miami and statewide) – Virtual and in-person workshops and networking events
- Florida Atlantic University (Boca Raton) – Launch and Growth cohorts, workshops, and networking events
- Florida Gulf Coast University (Fort Myers) – Launch and Growth cohorts, workshops, and networking events
- Florida Small Business Development Council at the University of West Florida (Pensacola) – Growth cohort
- Gilchrist Veterans Business Council (Punta Gorda) – Workshops and networking events
- Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship at Florida State University (Panama City and Tallahassee) – Launch and Growth cohorts and networking events
- Meritorious Foundation (statewide) – Virtual workshops
- Northwest Florida State College (Niceville) – Launch cohort and workshops
- Project Solvers (Jacksonville, Orlando, Space Coast, and Tampa) – Networking events
- St. Petersburg College (St. Petersburg and statewide) – Launch cohort, virtual workshops, and networking events
- SWFL Inc. (Estero) – Workshops and networking events
- University of Florida Innovate | Accelerate (Gainesville and statewide) – Statewide virtual Launch and Growth cohorts and workshops
- Valor2Venture (Jacksonville) – Launch and Growth cohorts, workshops, and networking events
- Veterans Entrepreneurship Initiative (Orlando and statewide) – Launch and Growth cohorts, workshops, and networking events
The 17 partners will provide programming across every region of Florida while expanding access through statewide virtual offerings. This combination of local engagement and virtual delivery allows Veterans Florida to connect entrepreneurs with relevant training, mentorship, and business resources wherever they are located.
For more information about the Veterans Florida Entrepreneur Program visit veteransflorida.org/entrepreneur
