Women Veterans Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V-WISE)

Updated November 2, 2020

Like many veterans, after I left the military, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do for a career. 

Starting a business wasn’t initially on my radar.

But, in 2012, I heard about a new program, V-WISE (Women Veterans Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship), that help women veterans start or grow businesses and I applied!

What is V-WISE?

V-WISE, Women Veterans Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship, is a small business and entrepreneurship program run by Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) and the Whitman School of Management in conjunction with the Small Business Administration (SBA).

Started in 2010, it is one of several entrepreneur programs Syracuse IVMF offers for military veterans and their spouses.

The program was originally designed for honorably discharged women veterans and service members who own or are considering starting a business. It was later expanded to include the female spouses and partners of veterans who own a business.

What Does the V-WISE Program Look Like?

V-WISE gives its participants the skills and connections to take their business idea to the next level.

It combines a 15-day online class portion followed by a three-day conference.

The program is broken into two tracks:

– those who are planning to start a business and

– those who have one and want to grow it.

After attending V-WISE, participants also receive 12 months of follow-up mentorship, where you will have access to even more expertise and resources.

The Women Veterans Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship Conference

During the in-person portion, participants interact with members of the IVMF staff (including Mike Haynie, PhD, former Air Force officer, founder and director of the IVMF, and mastermind behind their entrepreneur programs), leaders in the business industry, and approximately 200 fellow V-WISE participants.

The conference features joint sessions around mealtimes, which include such high-level guest speakers as Major General Marcia M. Anderson, Deputy Chief, Army Reserve, and Larry Broughton, a former Green Beret turner President and CEO of Broughton Hospitality.

Then participants will break out into sessions based on their track. Sessions include topics such as

– how to get financing,

– business planning,

– economics (pricing products and services, costs, revenues, etc.),

– marketing,

– how to secure government contracts,

– business law and intellectual property.

Additionally, there will be several opportunities for one-on-one interaction with members of the SBA, CEOs, former government procurement officers, and business school faculty, as well as Q&A sessions with top business mentors.

You’ll also be given handouts and business cards galore and a USB with all the presentations on it for future reference.

What Does the Program Cost?

It sounds like V-WISE should cost you a lot, doesn’t it?

It should, but it doesn’t.

Participants pay a $75 registration fee after they have been accepted to the program. They are also responsible for the cost of

– travel to the conference location,

– any parking fees (if applicable), and

– one, on-your-own dinner while you are there.

V-WISE covers all other costs, including

– course materials,

– a nice little goodie bag when you show up,

– your own hotel room (no sharing) in an incredible hotel, and

– all other meals and snacks.

How Do I Apply to the V-WISE Program?

Applying to the Women Veterans Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship is simple.

You need to submit:

– A completed application form

– Your resume

– A copy of your (or your spouse’s, if applicable) DD-214

– And tell them why you want to be an entrepreneur

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, meaning first-come, first-served, so apply early.

Is Women Veterans Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship Worth It?

According to IVMF’s V-WISE site, over 65% have started or grown their businesses and 93% of those are still in business, with a reported annual revenue of $78 million!

Although it would take me another seven years before I had the guts to start my own business, I loved my V-WISE experience and highly recommend it to any female veterans, servicemember, or spouses who has, or is thinking of starting, her own business.

The staff of IVMF were polite, professional, and engaging. And being surrounded by so many other veterans who were motivated, got where you came from, and shared a common idea of where you were going was one of the best experiences I’ve had since leaving the military, especially in the professional realm.

There was an energy there, a supportive one, that made me feel the way my uniform used to – like I was unstoppable.

And the benefits don’t stop once you’ve completed the program, either. V-WISE has an alumni program with additional benefits, including competitions and events offered exclusively to V-WISE graduates.

For more information on V-WISE, or to apply to the program, go to: http://whitman.syr.edu/vwise/.

Can’t attend just yet? Check out their free library of resources.

© 2013 – 2020, Sarah Maples LLC. All rights reserved.