Community Impact Entrepreneurship

October 10, 2014 | Claire Hall, School of Business

Entrepreneurship Program for Disabled Veterans ‘One of Best in Country’

The UConn program has been recognized as one of the nation’s most innovative programs for improving the quality of life for U.S. military personnel.

Shikha Sharma presents a lecture on Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities in the School of Business on Sept. 24, 2011.

Shikha Sharma presents a lecture on Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities in the School of Business on Sept. 24, 2011. Ariel Dowski '14 (CLAS)/UConn Photo

Veterans attend a lecture during the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities in the School of Business. (Ariel Dowski '14 (CLAS)/UConn File Photo)
Veterans attend a lecture during the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities in the School of Business. (Ariel Dowski ’14 (CLAS)/UConn File Photo)

The School of Business’ Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities has been recognized as one of the nation’s best and most innovative programs for improving the quality of life for U.S. military personnel.

The UConn program was one of five selected for the honor from among more than 250 entries. Criteria for the Newman’s Own Award include the organization’s impact on the community, creativity, and innovation. The awards were announced at the Pentagon on Sept. 24, during a ceremony that included remarks by Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In addition to the honor, the UConn program will receive a $37,500 award.

“There are 400,000 organizations in this country that work with veterans. To be one of five selected for this incredibly prestigious award was truly an honor,’’ said program director Michael Zacchea ’12 MBA, a retired U.S. Marine Corps lieutenant-colonel and a Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient.’

The UConn Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities (EBV) is offered at no cost to participants, who typically come from across the Northeast. The program taps the talent of UConn School of Business faculty to provide veterans, disabled due to their service, with cutting-edge training in entrepreneurship and small business management.

Zacchea hopes the award will bring greater recognition to the EBV program and further develop the network of services available to returning veterans. Despite its U.S. Navy sub base and the Coast Guard Academy, Connecticut isn’t known for embracing the military culture in the way that other states have, he said.

“Historically the veteran population hasn’t had the attention here that it has in other states like Florida, Texas, California, and the South,’’ he said. “We feel some of our award was due to our unsung work in an underserved area.’’

Yet Connecticut offers many advantages to returning veterans, including educational and business opportunities, he said.

Unlike other entrepreneurship programs, the EBV addresses reintegration issues beyond just business. For instance, the veterans are offered a free business suit, courtesy of Brooks Brothers, to help ensure their business success. In addition, the program graduates have access to intensive mentorship services for a year, so whether they want to start an IT business or a company that specializes in personal training, they have assistance identifying and overcoming business barriers.

Newman’s Own, Fisher House Foundation, and Military Times sponsor the competition, which seeks to reward ingenuity for programs that benefit service men and women and their families.

“Improving lives for the military is the cornerstone of this program,” said Tom Indoe, president and chief operating officer of Newman’s Own. “Newman’s Own is proud to be part of an initiative that helps serve a crucial segment of Americans, those who serve our country.”