FGCU’s Institute for Entrepreneurship Completes Fall 2020 Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program

The Frank Stern Compassionate Shark Tank Awards Grant to Help Veterans Launch Their Businesses

FORT MYERS, Fla. – December 15, 2020 – The Frank Stern Compassionate Shark Tank Virtual Pitch Competition awarded six grants to Veteran owned businesses on Saturday, November 7, 2020, during the last day of the Fall 2020 Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program hosted by Florida Gulf Coast University.

This cohorts largest prize of $7,000 was awarded to Navy Veteran, Jennifer Timothy, to help fund her boat charter service, Strong Warrior Private Charters. Other winners included wellness coach and personal trainer, Joe McKim owner of Limitless Health Movement, Tom Blackney for his blackwater, marine pump out service, Pointman Pump Out, Shawn Hall, owner of Home Inspector Florida, Bret Croft for his coffee company, La Paisa Bonita, Kevin Smith owner of Solar Smith Consultants and Jose Perez to fund his social media platform, Local Vet Connect, which aims to help bring Veterans together.

Marine Corps Veteran, Jose Perez launched his website, Local Vet Connect, in October of 2020. Local Vet Connect (LVC) is an online platform designed to help veterans find local events and veterans groups. “After getting out, I saw that there was a real need for veterans from our generation to connect with each other. Unlike the generations of veterans from the past who have their own groups and places to meet and connect, my generation of veterans doesn’t have the same groups and we need that comradery. I personally felt the stress and strain of seeking a community that I felt a part of.” Currently LVC is only available through their online website but they are currently in the process of creating an app-based platform which would allow users to create profiles and connect with other local veterans. “The program gave me a real sense of structure along with invaluable resources that aided me in every facet of my business. The staff, personnel, and fellow veterans gave me a sense of belonging that I had been seeking for years.” LVC is looking for veterans who are interested in testing their beta app which is scheduled to launch in early 2021. Sign up to receive first access to the LVC app by going to www.localvetconnect.com/get-the-app.

“Veterans Florida congratulates these veteran entrepreneurs on a job well done. Their success proves that there’s no limit to what a veteran can accomplish when they combine their drive to succeed with resources from partners like Florida Gulf Coast University,” said Veterans Florida Executive Director Joe Marino.

Veterans Florida partnered with Florida Gulf Coast University’s Institute for Entrepreneurship in 2016 to offer military Veterans a free Entrepreneurship program to help them launch their businesses. The program consists of two 12-week startup training programs in the spring and fall and one 6-week growth program in the summer designed to prepare participants for all elements of launching/growing their businesses. Veterans are assigned community and faculty mentors all who have significant experience launching and running their own business. To date, the Institute for Entrepreneurship has awarded over $400,000 in seed funding to Veteran businesses originating from the program. Thanks to generous donations from the Southwest Florida Community Foundation, the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation, and Fred and Gyoengyi Quinn over 100 Veteran owned businesses have been started in the program.

The Institute for Entrepreneurship is scheduled to host its next Veterans Business Startup Program starting on January 20th, 2021. Any Honorably Discharged Veteran who is looking to start their own business is welcome to attend. The program is completely free of charge; however, space is limited. For more information, contact Troy Bolivar, Program Coordinator, at (239) 745-4647, or tbolivar@fgcu.edu. Veterans can learn more or register at the FGCU Veterans Program Website (https://www.fgcu.edu/soe/ife/veterans-florida). If you are interested in receiving monthly FGCU VFEP updates go to https://bit.ly/fgcuvfepnewsletter.

About Veterans Florida: Veterans Florida is a non-profit created by the State of Florida to help military veterans transition to civilian life and to promote Florida’s status as the nation’s most veteran-friendly state. Veterans Florida provides powerful tools for veterans to take advantage of the benefits of living and working in the Sunshine State. To learn more, visit VeteransFlorida.org.

About the Institute for Entrepreneurship: The Florida Gulf Coast University Institute for Entrepreneurship is an advocate for student entrepreneurship and innovation. The Institute provides students with genuine support and a strong foundation of knowledge from which to pursue entrepreneurial aspirations. This is accomplished through the combined efforts of FGCU faculty, student graduates, and a variety of community partners in Southwest Florida. We strive to create camaraderie between these groups, and emphasize the need for an entrepreneurial spirit between FGCU and its constituents. For more information, visit www.fgcu.edu/soe or email IFE@FGCU.edu. Visit us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/FGCUEntrepreneurs