On June 12, as our nation celebrated Women Veterans Day, the Women Veterans Interactive Foundation partnered with the Continuing to Serve Foundation for an exciting event. To celebrate Women Veterans day, our organizations hosted A Toast to Service, welcoming Women Veteran entrepreneurs, leaders, government officials, investors, changemakers and innovators for the official launch of The Women Veterans Entrepreneurship Collective (WVEC)!
WVEC is a national ecosystem designed specifically to support Women Veteran Entrepreneurs by providing a gateway to trusted programs and resources, a vibrant peer network, and growth-oriented opportunities.
Women Veteran Entrepreneurs Are a Growing Force in the American Economy
Entrepreneurship has become an increasingly important pathway for Women Veterans seeking to leverage their leadership experience, mission-driven mindset, and problem-solving abilities in civilian life.
The most recent study on the surge of Women Veteran Entrepreneurs, which examined the timeframe between 2007-2012, found that the number of Women Veteran owned businesses nearly quadrupled during that time – making Women Veterans “solely responsible” for the overall increase of Veteran-owned businesses across the board.
Solely responsible.
According to IVMF’s 2021 National Survey of Military-Affiliated Entrepreneurs (NSMAE), Women Veteran Entrepreneurs who were surveyed reported the following insights:
- 97% say that the skills they learned in military have helped them with their business
- 60% say that entrepreneurship helped them find a purpose after military
- 46% say that entrepreneurship made their transition into civilian life easier
Given the surge in Women Veterans overall, this increase in entrepreneurship might not come as a surprise. And it’s a signal that we can expect only more Women Veteran Entrepreneurs to enter the landscape in the future. This growth presents tremendous opportunity, but it also highlights the need for stronger infrastructure, greater connectivity, and more intentional support systems.
The Challenges Are Real
Many Women Veteran Entrepreneurs continue to encounter significant barriers to meaningful growth in their businesses.
The same IVMF report mentioned above shows that Women Veteran Entrepreneurs cite specific obstacles, including:
- Lack of access to capital (37%)
- Lack of experience in entrepreneurship or business ownership (27%)
- Lack of mentorship (22%)
- Difficulty navigating local resources (46%)
These challenges highlight the need for stronger connections between Women Veteran Entrepreneurs and the organizations, mentors, programs, and opportunities that can help them succeed.
If we expect more and more Women Veteran Entrepreneurs to enter the landscape, driving economic impact across the country, then we need to remove barriers and install solutions now.
How WVEC Supports Women Veteran Entrepreneurs
WVEC was created to serve as the solution.
As a national ecosystem for Women Veteran Entrepreneurs, WVEC brings together trusted resources, entrepreneurial education, mentorship opportunities, networking experiences, and a growing community of Women Veterans who understand the unique journey of military service and business ownership.
The goal is not to duplicate the incredible work already being done across the entrepreneurial landscape.
Instead, WVEC amplifies and connects it.
Through WVEC, members can discover trusted partner organizations, engage with fellow entrepreneurs, participate in educational opportunities, explore mentorship pathways, access business development resources, and build relationships that support long-term growth.
WVEC creates a place where Women Veterans can find community, share knowledge, exchange ideas, and support one another while pursuing ambitious goals.
A Special Thank You to the Continuing to Serve Foundation
The launch of WVEC would not have been possible without the vision and support of our Founding Funding Partner: the Continuing to Serve Foundation.
The Continuing to Serve Foundation recognized the growing need for a dedicated national ecosystem focused on Women Veteran entrepreneurship and helped make this initiative a reality. Led by Army Veteran Dawn Halfaker, the Continuing to Serve Foundation’s commitment to supporting Women Veteran entrepreneurs creates meaningful impact across the nation.
We are deeply grateful for their partnership in shaping the future of Women Veteran entrepreneurship!
Join the WVEC Community
If you are a Woman Veteran entrepreneur, WVEC was built for you.
Whether you are exploring a business idea, launching a startup, growing an existing company, or leading an established business, WVEC offers a place to connect, learn, and thrive alongside fellow Women Veterans who understand your journey.
Join WVEC today and become part of the national ecosystem created exclusively for Women Veteran entrepreneurs.