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SBA awards Syracuse University’s IVMF $1.5 million for veteran-entrepreneur training

ivmf program at su university
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has awarded $1.5 million to Syracuse University’s Institute for Veteran & Military Families (IVMF) for “Boots to Business” entrepreneurship training for military members, military spouses, and veterans. With its funding, Syracuse’s IVMF is also partnering with Cornell University for follow-on instruction (Eric Reinhardt / BJNN file photo)

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse University’s Institute for Veteran & Military Families (IVMF) will use federal funding for an entrepreneurship-training program for veterans.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has awarded $1.5 million to Syracuse’s IVMF, the agency said in a news release issued Monday.

The SBA’s Syracuse award is one of two awards totaling more than $2.3 million to nonprofits providing “Boots to Business” entrepreneurship training for military members, military spouses, and veterans.

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“We are excited to continue funding this signature training series for our active-duty service members and their spouses as they transition to entrepreneurship around the world,” Bernard J. Paprocki, director of the SBA Syracuse district office, said.

Mississippi State University will use the other SBA funding award.

 

IVMF award

With its award, IVMF will provide “Boots to Business” instruction to service members and military spouses stationed overseas at 34 military installations in nine countries, the SBA said.

IVMF has also partnered with Cornell University to provide “Boots to Business” follow-on instruction.

The instruction will include orientation to entrepreneurship/ideation, along with market research and business fundamentals delivered “globally” through Cornell University’s eCornell platform.

IVMF and Cornell will also work with SBA to develop follow-on training specialty tracks, such as franchising or agribusiness, based on “participant demand and market opportunity,” the SBA said.

“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with the SBA and honored to serve our nation’s service member veterans and families through the Boots to Business program,” Mike Haynie, Syracuse University vice chancellor and IVMF executive director, said in the SBA release. “The inclusion of the Cornell University SC Johnson College of Business into the partnership provides additional expertise and critical resources necessary to keep the focus on entrepreneurship as well as education, and is vital to ensuring the success of our service members around the world as they prepare to embark on their entrepreneurial journeys.”

 

About the funding

The SBA’s Office of Veterans Business Development provides the funding, the agency said.

The funding enables Syracuse’s IVMF to deliver “Boots to Business,” the entrepreneurship track of the U.S. Department of Defense’s transition-assistance program to military service members and their spouses, both within the continental U.S. and overseas.

The SBA awards the funding based on an initial, 12-month project period plus four option years, “subject to the availability of funds.”

Each award recipient has “displayed a commitment and ability” to deliver entrepreneurial training to transitioning service members and their spouses.

 

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com

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