The DAV Patriot Boot Camp Winter ‘24 event for entrepreneurs in the military and Veteran community will be held at DAV National headquarters in Erlanger, Kentucky, from Feb. 7- 9.
Up to 50 new participants will receive insight and one-on-one guidance from mentors and business leaders. Each day will also include presentations by world-class experts covering an array of topics, including common legal startup mistakes, marketing and sales, and pitching. At the end of the program, select participants will be invited to compete in a pitch contest with thousands of dollars in no-obligation funding up for grabs.
“DAV Patriot Boot Camp is so much more than just a few days of programming and expert advice,” said DAV Chief Communications and Outreach Officer Dan Clare. “The true magic is in the community of Veterans and military spouses, all of whom are driven to serve through innovative solutions and to support their fellow vetrepreneurs in doing the same.”
That includes Veterans like DAV Patriot Boot Camp alumnus Arthur Salindong, who was one of three Veterans selected for the most recent pitch contest, known as DAV Patriot’s Pitch. Salindong, a Navy Veteran, is the founder and CEO of Travbus Technologies, a minority owned, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business headquartered in San Diego, California, which thrives on practical solutions to challenges in wireless technologies and artificial intelligence.
Fellow finalist, alumnus and Air Force veteran Fernando Fernandez created Phare Technologies, a digital labor platform that delivers an easy-to-use real-time graphical dashboard, data visualizations and reporting tools which provide managers a groundbreaking level of visibility and granular insights into worksite safety, productivity and hazards.
Lastly, Rhonda Cory founded The Branded Board, a retail company focusing on custom laser cutting and engraving which specializes in sassy sayings on cutting boards, charcuterie boards, cocktail smokers, coasters, key chains and more.
All three veterans participated in DAV Patriot’s Pitch on Nov. 2, where all three took home thousands of dollars of non-dilutive funding. They were among dozens of veterans who received extensive training during the Fall ’23 boot camp.
Program alumni — many of whom return as mentors and presenters — have said the skills and connections made at DAV Patriot Boot Camp helped them secure financing and rapidly grow their businesses.
Since the program’s founding, more than 1,000 alumni have raised over $190 million in venture capital and employ over 2,300 individuals. Among alumni, nearly 70% have a service-connected disability, more than 25% are women, and nearly 30% identify as being racially diverse.
Applications for DAV Patriot Boot Camp can be found here. There is no cost for registration or participation beyond personal travel-related expenses and lodging. Those who apply will be contacted regarding future opportunities and programming to support their entrepreneurial journey.
DAV is also seeking leaders to serve as mentors, presenters, panelists and event volunteers. If you are interested in supporting the event and its community of entrepreneurs, contact patriotbootcamp@dav.org.