BOISE ENTREPRENEUR WEEK AND WHY IT MATTERS

When World War II ended, nearly half of returning veterans started or operated a business, using the leadership and discipline they had developed in uniform to fuel America’s post-war economy (q.bstatic.com). This surge of veteran entrepreneurship shaped industries and created companies that remain household names today. It was more than a career choice; it was a mission.

Today, we face a different battle. Veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs are still driving innovation, but their numbers are shrinking. To honor the legacy of the post-war generation, we must commit to supporting and inspiring the next wave of veteran business owners.

Why Supporting Veteran & Spouse Businesses Matters Now

Veteran-owned businesses generate $922 billion in annual revenue and represent 1.6 million firms employing 3.3 million people (U.S. Census Bureau; SBA Office of Advocacy). A large share of these businesses remain profitable and successful, with 80% reporting success in surveys, and 54% specifically identifying profitability (Mission Roll Call).

But the pipeline is thinning. Between 2014 and 2020, veteran business ownership dropped from about 11% to 8.1% of all U.S. firms (SBA Office of Advocacy). That’s a clear warning: if we don’t invest in the next generation of veteran entrepreneurs, the legacy of post-war business leadership will fade.

Barriers remain steep. Veterans report more frequent credit and financing challenges than non-veteran firms (Fed Communities). Many also transition without access to networks, capital, or entrepreneurship training (IVMF Syracuse).

Boise Entrepreneur Week: A Force Multiplier for Idaho’s Entrepreneurs

If Idaho had a cornerstone festival for business innovation, it’s Boise Entrepreneur Week (BEW). As Idaho’s largest community-driven entrepreneurship event, BEW brings together thousands of participants across 14 tracks, including a dedicated Military Track for veteran and military spouse founders.

Infusion of Capital & Prize Opportunities

BEW awards substantial prize money, which becomes seed capital for early-stage ventures. In 2025, the event announced $250,000 in pitch competition prizes across main, Trailmix, other pitch comps. Idaho Business Review For veteran entrepreneurs through the Military Track, this means practical fuel—not just recognition. VEA

Visibility, Networks & Platform Access

The vet track gives veteran and spouse founders prime exposure—panels, pitch stages, mentorship sessions. It’s not just a contest; it’s a launchpad. VEA Meanwhile, BEW as a whole draws sponsors, investors, collaborators, and across-sector attendees from across Idaho and beyond. boiseentrepreneurweek.org

Statewide Impact & Cultural Shift

BEW isn’t just about Boise. It signals to the entire state that entrepreneurship is worthy, celebrated, and funded. The event has supported more than $300,000 in funding for startups since its early years. boiseentrepreneurweek.org And its Military Track has already allocated $10,000 in prizes in each of its first two years, helping integrate veteran entrepreneurs into Idaho’s broader startup landscape.

Through BEW, veterans and spouses not only get financial opportunity. They gain

credibility, partnerships, and a foothold in Idaho’s entrepreneurial identity.

Call to Action: Join Us at Boise Entrepreneur Week

The best way to support veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs isn’t just talking about it, it’s showing up. Boise Entrepreneur Week is Idaho’s largest gathering of innovators and dreamers, and the Military Track is where our community steps forward.

👉 Come to Boise Entrepreneur Week and visit us at the Military Track.

Here’s what you’ll see in 2025:

• The Entrepreneur’s Journey: Lessons Learned - Tuesday, September 30 | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM - Leaders and entrepreneurs from the veteran community share insights, struggles, and lessons learned from the front lines of business.

  • Panelists: Idea Stage: Anthony Garey, Pacific Northwest Technologies | Early Traction: Monique Barber, Ever Forward Counseling and Neurofeedback | Scaling: James McCarter, Shadowscape.io | Scaling: Jon Klipstein, UXO Supplements | Exit/Retired: Marv Hagedorn, Import Export Business, Retired and Former Senator

    
    

• A Fireside Chat with Jeet Kumar, CEO of In Time Tec - Tuesday, September 30 | 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM - Join us for a candid fireside chat with Jeet Kumar, CEO and Co-Founder of In Time Tec, as we explore how AI can be put to work in real businesses right now.

  
  

• "Vet" Working: Boise Entrepreneur Week Edition - Tuesday, September 30 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM - Meet veteran-owned businesses, connect with other supporters, and discover how you can be part of fueling the next generation of Idaho entrepreneurs.

  
  

• Military Pitch Competition - Tuesday, September 30 | 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM - Watch veteran and military spouse founders pitch their business ideas for a share of $10,000 in prizes. Innovation, grit, and vision take center stage.

  
  

  • Companies Pitching:

    • Bryan Morris — Insight Robotics

    • Zack Gowing — Teegle Golf

    • Jordan Rausch — Empower Genetics

    • Jeremy Morrison — Meteor Labs

    • Cassie Wehr — Mugshots and Coffeepots

    • Joshua Yocum — Crutch Carries

    • Abigail Cannon — WYRK Fitness

    • Robin Kiska — Battlespace

      
      

  • Judges:

    • Kaci Peterson — Perkins Coie

    • James McCarter — Shadowscape.io

    • Adrian Moreno — Crowd Promo

    
    

We want to pack the house so these entrepreneurs feel the support of the community behind them. Your energy in the room matters. Come cheer them on, learn from their ideas, and be part of the moment when new veteran-led businesses take their next big step.

Mission-first, community-always. We’ll see you at the Military Track.

Works Cited

Mission Roll Call. “The Success of Veteran-Owned Businesses and Ways to Support Them.” Mission Roll Call, 2021, missionrollcall.org/veteran-voices/articles/the-success-of-veteran-owned-businesses-and-ways-to-support-them/.

“Veteran-Owned Businesses.” U.S. Census Bureau, Nov. 2024, www.census.gov/library/stories/2024/11/veteran-owned-businesses.html.

“Facts About Small Business Veteran Ownership: Statistics, 2024.” SBA Office of Advocacy, Nov. 2024, advocacy.sba.gov/2024/11/12/facts-about-small-business-veteran-ownership-statistics-2024/.

“Deconstructing the Change in Veteran Business Ownership.” SBA Office of Advocacy, Issue Brief No. 18, May 2023, advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Issue-Brief-No.-18-Deconstructing-the-Change-in-Veteran-Business-Ownership-508c.pdf.

“Data to Drive Change: Veteran-Owned Small Businesses.” Fed Communities, 2023, fedcommunities.org/data-to-drive-change-veteran-owned-small-businesses/.

IVMF Syracuse. “Our Alumni Demonstrate Veteran Entrepreneurship Problem-Solving.” Institute for Veterans and Military Families, 13 June 2024, ivmf.syracuse.edu/2024/06/13/our-alumni-demonstrate-veteran-entrepreneurship-problem-solving/.

Fairlie, Robert W., et al. “Entrepreneurship among Military Veterans: Evidence from the Current Population Survey.” Public Health Reports, vol. 133, no. 1, Jan.–Feb. 2018, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5744891/.

“7 of the Most Famous Veteran Entrepreneurs.” Military.com, 2023, www.military.com/veteran-jobs/7-of-most-famous-veteran-entrepreneurs.html.

“Returning WWII Veterans as Entrepreneurs.” Q.bstatic.com, 2021, q.bstatic.com/data/bsuitewf/0ad59cb6efb833a28de9f06162771d56f02ea917.pdf.