No More 9 to 5 Club
Founded by Navy veteran Jason McNamara, the Club offers free training tailored to veterans and military spouses, mentorship for the transition, and an affordable community with coaching and masterminds (Free / $28 / $97). Best if you want an ongoing community and a clear stage-by-stage path rather than a one-time program. Access free veteran training
Bunker Labs
A national nonprofit network (now part of the Institute for Veterans and Military Families) known for local chapters, community events, and programs like the Veterans in Residence cohort. Best for connection, peer support, and local networking.
Warrior Rising
A veteran-founded nonprofit offering business education, mentorship, and funding opportunities ("vetrepreneur" programs). Best for hands-on mentorship and a structured path with potential funding support.
VetToCEO
Offers free, structured cohort-based programs that use a systematic approach to evaluating and launching a business, drawing on veterans’ strengths. Best for a disciplined, course-style curriculum.
IVMF — Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV)
Run by Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans and Military Families, EBV is a respected, free, university-grade entrepreneurship program for veterans with service-connected disabilities. Best for rigorous, no-cost education with an academic pedigree.
How to choose — and where to sell
If you want ongoing community and an affordable path, look at the No More 9 to 5 Club. For local networking, Bunker Labs; for mentorship and funding, Warrior Rising; for structured courses, VetToCEO or EBV. These aren’t mutually exclusive — many veterans combine them.
Whichever program you choose, when you start selling locally, keep your margin: Good Circles charges a 1% fee on profit, so you keep about 89%. See Good Circles for business
FAQ
What are the best programs for veteran entrepreneurs?
Leading options include the No More 9 to 5 Club (free veteran training plus affordable community), Bunker Labs (community/networking), Warrior Rising (mentorship and funding), VetToCEO (structured cohorts), and IVMF’s EBV at Syracuse (free university-grade education).
Are there free resources for veteran entrepreneurs?
Yes. The No More 9 to 5 Club offers free veteran training, IVMF’s EBV is free, and VetToCEO runs free cohort programs. Many community resources from Bunker Labs and Warrior Rising are also free.
Where should a veteran sell their products or services?
For local sales, a low-fee marketplace keeps the most in your pocket. Good Circles charges a 1% fee on profit (you keep about 89%) while customers save about 10% and fund a local cause.