A business incubator for veteran-owned
and military spouse-owned startups
COMMIT TO GROWTH
Veterans in Residence is a peer-facilitated, six-month business incubator that provides veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs a networking community, business skills, and opportunities to help grow and scale their business.
Meet the Current Cohort
We at Bunker Labs are so proud to present our newest Veterans in Residence cohort, 23A! This cohort features 325 entrepreneurs across 27 cities across the nation and 7 virtual cohorts and is the largest we’ve ever had. We are so excited to go on this journey with our new entrepreneurs, so without further ado, Bunker Labs presents the Veterans in Residence 23A Cohort members.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
WHO
WHAT
WHERE
Local coworking space in select cities or virtual space.*
WHEN
WHY
*Some cohorts are offered entirely virtually to provide access to entrepreneurs without a local cohort.
ALUMNI TESTIMONIALS
The Veterans in Residence program prepped me on how to properly articulate my business idea in a pitch and in conversational networking. Bunker Labs helped put our organization on the map at a national level which led to sponsorships, grants and endless opportunities within the veteran community.
Thank you Bunker Labs for the incredible mentoring, support, connections, and ecosystem. Being in the Veterans in Residence program was precisely what my business needed to take flight!
Since starting in Veterans in Residence, my business has grown from a couple of agents to 32 and we are set to have $1 Million dollars in revenue by the end of the year, which is our first full year of being in business… It’s been so great, as a startup, to have other people in the space to talk to. It’s been invaluable.
A benefit my company has gained since joining Veterans in Residence program is being connected to veteran entrepreneurs, not just in DC, but across the country. We’ve also been connected to thought leaders and information through Bunker Online.
My Veterans in Residence experience was filled with growth and self-development. It was the chance to take the next step forward in my entrepreneurial dreams with a community of folks to support me along the way.
Apply now to start your entrepreneurship journey.
LEARN MORE
FEATURED STARTUPS
IMPACT
89%
of veteran-owned businesses reported accelerated business growth.
44%
of veteran-owned businesses increased their run-rate revenue.
23%
of veteran-owned businesses raised funding between months one and six.
Why Veterans in Residence?
There are many business incubators in the United States. There are few business incubators created by and for the veteran and military spouse entrepreneur community.
When you join Veterans in Residence, you have more than an entrepreneurial endeavor in common—you have a common ethos, shaped by a common experience. Hit the ground running with a community that never gives up, no matter the challenge.
See Past Cohorts
Program Timeline:
Month 1 (July & January)
Onboarding and orientation
Month 2-5
Weekly huddles
Monthly masterclass
Month 6 (June & December)
Capstone Event
Pitch Competition
Entrepreneur Showcase
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who is eligible to participate in Veterans in Residence?
Are nonprofit startup organizations eligible to apply?
What kind of commitment does the program require?
- Attend onboarding and orientation meetings
- Attend weekly huddles with their cohort
- Attend monthly masterclasses in business topics
There is no Veterans in Residence cohort near me. Can I still apply?
Yes, there are regional virtual cohorts that bring together entrepreneurs from across the country who do not have a local cohort.
How big is each cohort?
What is the difference between a virtual cohort and city-based cohorts that meet virtually?
Cities that have existing Veterans in Residence programs typically work out of the same physical coworking space and regularly meet in person.
Regional virtual cohorts provide program access to entrepreneurs who do not have a local option available and always meets virtually.
Are there any fees?
Does Bunker Labs or WeWork make investments in cohort businesses?
No. Bunker Labs and WeWork do not make investments in participating businesses, nor do they facilitate external investments. However, there may be opportunities to connect with investors through program events. Bunker Labs also organizes periodic pitch competitions, and Veterans in Residence participants are invited to apply to pitch.
How are participants selected?
Can teams apply, or is Veterans in Residence open only to individuals?
Teams are welcome to apply but only one representative from an entity is selected as the official program member. Cofounders can participate in monthly masterclasses but do not participate in the weekly huddles.
Do all people on a team need to be military veterans or family members?
I was rejected from Veterans in Residence in the past. Can I apply again?
What are other criteria of competitive candidates?
We look for:
- Revenue that is greater than zero but below $150,000 per year
- A clear vision for the product or service offered
- An understanding of specific challenges the business faces
Can I be employed at my day job and still participate in Veterans in Residence?
What happens after the six months are done?
- Apply to become a Veterans in Residence alumni captain. Alumni captains provide support for subsequent cohorts, drawing on their own experience as an entrepreneur and program participant.
- Apply to become a local Ambassador for Bunker Labs
- Apply to join the CEOcircle program for more established founders and executives.
- There are also courses and workshop series for additional learning opportunities, local and national events, and a robust digital community.
What's the difference between Veterans in Residence and TechStars or Y Combinator?
TechStars and Y Combinator are startup accelerators, which means that they financially invest in all admitted startups in exchange for an equity stake. Veterans in Residence is an incubator, not an accelerator, and the most important distinction to note is that Bunker Labs does not make a financial investment in the admitted companies, nor does Bunker Labs take an equity stake.
There are some similarities between Bunker Labs and TechStars and Y Combinator, such as providing coworking space, a strong business network, and targeted resources, programming, and support to facilitate growth.
Do I have to be a start-up, or can I be a small business?
Do I have to be earning revenue?
Yes. Applicants should have generated some revenue, but not more than $150,000, at the time of application. We recommend interested applicants that have not yet generated revenue start with Launch Lab Online or other courses and workshops to help move from idea to revenue before applying to Veterans in Residence.
Presenting Partners
This program is made possible in part by WeWork, Pilot Flying J & Capital One.
