Wright State’s Bootcamp Empowers Veterans to Launch Businesses
Twenty former service members recently gathered at Wright State University to participate in the Reynolds and Reynolds Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV). From August 8–15, these veterans engaged in an intensive program designed to impart the essential skills needed for business development and growth.
Gerald Lorenzetti, an Air Force veteran and founder of Miami Valley Digital, expressed his anticipation of learning to transform ideas into scalable businesses. The bootcamp consists of three main phases: a 30-day online course, a nine-day residential bootcamp, and 12 months of continued mentorship.
Participants had the opportunity to network with faculty, alumni, and industry experts. Gregory Pray, a former Air Force master sergeant, emphasized the value of mentorship in refining his business model for PAREXO Safety Management Solutions.
Jeremy Turner, a Wright State alumnus and mentor at the bootcamp, encouraged veterans to leverage their unique identities in their marketing and networking efforts. The program, funded by a $3 million gift from Reynolds and Reynolds, covers all costs for participants, including travel and meals.
This year’s curriculum included topics such as marketing, small business technology, and interactive panel discussions covering finance and human resources. NaKia Bradley, an Air Force Reserve veteran and CEO of Veritas ClearPath Solutions, highlighted the program’s role in enhancing her confidence to network and communicate her business’s value.
Wright State is part of a national consortium offering EBV programs, which began at Syracuse University. Since its founding in 2009, 79% of graduates have successfully launched or expanded their businesses, with many achieving significant accolades.
To learn more about the program, visit wright.edu/EBV.
