Welcome & Track Introduction
Isaac Belden, Founder & Executive Director, VEA
A short welcome that sets up the afternoon: government contracting, strategic partnerships, and veteran entrepreneurship.
Boise Entrepreneur Week 2026
Military Track 2026
An afternoon on how veteran entrepreneurs and Idaho businesses compete for state and federal opportunities, build strategic partnerships, and use government markets as part of a broader growth strategy. It closes with the Veteran Entrepreneur Pitch Competition.
A collaborative effort between VEA and Mission43
Please Note: Interest Form Only
All "Register" and "Apply to Pitch" links go to an Interest Form. Formal registration is not yet available - we are awaiting confirmed dates and times for the Military Track from Boise Entrepreneur Week. Submitting the form ensures you'll be the first to receive updates.
The Lineup
What's Included
Four parts to the 2026 afternoon, from contracting education to the pitch stage.
01
01
Contract Ready Panel
Idaho APEX Accelerator, Idaho National Laboratory, and Winspear Construction on becoming contract-ready, finding opportunities, and building partnerships that win work.
02
02
Fireside Chat: From Mission to Market
Zach Adams, CEO and Co-Founder of Pitch Aeronautics, on going from F-15E pilot to founder, using SBIR and STTR, and building a company at the edge of government and commercial markets.
03
03
Veteran Entrepreneur Pitch Competition
Veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs pitch their businesses before judges and the Boise Entrepreneur Week audience.
04
04
Food & Networking
An hour of food and networking with veteran entrepreneurs, business leaders, contracting resources, and Idaho's broader entrepreneurial community.
Event Details
When
12:00 to 4:30 PM during Boise Entrepreneur Week 2026.
Where
Located at JUMP, downtown Boise, Idaho.
Cost
Free for all VEA and Mission43 members.
This Year
Military Track 2026
How veteran entrepreneurs and Idaho businesses can compete for state and federal opportunities, build strategic partnerships, and use government markets as part of a broader growth strategy.
Practical contracting education, a founder story, and the Veteran Entrepreneur Pitch Competition.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PMFood & NetworkingConnect with veteran entrepreneurs, business leaders, and contracting resources before the program begins.
1:00 PM - 1:10 PM 1:10 PM - 2:00 PM Contract Ready: Competing for Government Work
Moderated by Isaac Belden
Winning government work takes more than registering as a vendor or holding a certification. This panel covers what it actually takes.
- Becoming contract-ready and building past performance
- Finding and evaluating the right opportunities
- Common mistakes, subcontracting, and teaming
- Partnerships between veteran-owned and non-veteran businesses that let both compete for work neither could win alone
Panelists
Lori Farris
Idaho APEX Accelerator
Hannah Harlow
Idaho National Laboratory
Jordan Winspear
President, Winspear Construction
- 2:00 PM - 2:15 PMBreak & NetworkingTime to connect directly with panelists and other attendees.
2:15 PM - 3:00 PM From Mission to Market: A Fireside Chat with Zach Adams
Moderated by Adrian Moreno, Director of Strategic Operations, VEA
Zach Adams, CEO and Co-Founder of Pitch Aeronautics, on going from Air Force Academy graduate and F-15E pilot to technology entrepreneur.
- Building Pitch Aeronautics and working with government customers
- Using SBIR and STTR, and navigating federal funding and procurement
- Turning government-supported innovation into a commercial company
- The decisions, lessons, and mistakes behind the growth
- 3:00 PM - 3:20 PMPitch Competition Setup & Transition
3:20 PM - 3:25 PM Pitch Competition Opening
Welcome, competitor introductions, judging criteria, and competition format.
3:25 PM - 4:30 PM Veteran Entrepreneur Pitch Competition
Veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs take the stage to pitch their businesses before judges and the Boise Entrepreneur Week audience.
Take The Stage
Veteran Entrepreneur Pitch Competition
Veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs take the stage from 3:25 to 4:30 PM to pitch their businesses before judges and the Boise Entrepreneur Week audience.
$10KApply to Pitch
Prize Pool
$10,000
AWARDED AT BEW BLOCK PARTY
The prize pool is fully funded by Mission43. The Military Track and Pitch Competition are a collaborative effort between VEA and Mission43.
Pitch
A Live Panel
Feedback
From Investors
Visibility
For Your Brand