Boise Entrepreneur Week and the Significance of the Military Track

SEPT 29 - OCT 4 | Boise Entrepreneur Week is an exciting annual event that brings together entrepreneurs from various sectors to share their experiences, network, and learn. Held in Boise, Idaho, this week-long celebration of innovation and entrepreneurship features numerous events, including workshops, keynote speeches, and networking opportunities.

A standout feature of this event is the Military Track on Sept 30th, emphasizing support for veterans and veteran-spouse members as they navigate the entrepreneurial landscape.

What is Boise Entrepreneur Week?

Boise Entrepreneur Week (BEW) promotes entrepreneurship growth within Boise and throughout Idaho. The week-long event fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration. Entrepreneurs at all stages can inspire one another, exchange ideas, and collaborate on new ventures.

Typically, BEW includes activities like panel discussions, workshops, pitch competitions, and networking events. Each year draws thousands of participants, showcasing about 30 workshops focusing on topics such as business startup challenges and sustainability strategies.

This event is a platform for community engagement. Local businesses, educational institutions, and community leaders unite to support entrepreneurial initiatives, stimulating economic growth. Boise Entrepreneur Week has become an essential part of Idaho's entrepreneurial ecosystem, benefiting the entire region economically.

The Military Track: Supporting Veteran Entrepreneurs

The Military Track is more than a schedule of events—it’s a mission. It’s where veterans and military spouses get the tools, connections, and resources to launch or grow their businesses. Over the course of Boise Entrepreneur Week, the Military Track dives into what makes entrepreneurship tick: funding, marketing, scaling, and how to take the discipline you built in uniform and use it to build something lasting in business.

It’s not just about learning; it’s about building a community. The Military Track brings together veteran-owned businesses, investors, mentors, and local leaders who believe in backing veteran entrepreneurs. It’s a rally point for those who want to turn military grit into business growth.

The Military Track Pitch Competition

If the Military Track is the training ground, the pitch competition is the battlefield. Veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs step up, pitch their business ideas or existing companies to a panel of judges, and compete for cash prizes, mentorship, and business services.

Think of it like Shark Tank, but with more camaraderie and fewer TV cameras. You’ve got a few minutes to make your case, followed by a rapid-fire Q&A. Win or lose, you walk away with feedback, exposure, and connections that can push your business forward.

Why It Matters

Veterans and military spouses are wired for this kind of challenge. We know how to operate under pressure. We know how to adapt, improvise, and execute. The Military Track and Pitch Competition take that same mission-first mindset and give it a new arena.

It’s not just about building businesses; it’s about reigniting the entrepreneurial spirit that built America.

Your Call to Action

If you’re a veteran or military spouse with a business idea, this is your moment. Sign up for the Military Track, throw your hat in the ring for the pitch competition, and step onto the next battlefield: the one where you build something worth fighting for.

Applications Open from June 9 to August 15! Sign Up Today

The Military Track and Pitch Competition aren’t just events—they’re the result of an entire community coming together to back veterans and military spouses chasing the next mission.

Here’s who makes it possible:

• The J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation - (JKAF) has been a driving force behind the scenes for veteran and military spouse entrepreneurship in Idaho. JKAF provides critical funding and instrumental support for organizations like Mission43 and the Veteran Entrepreneur Alliance.

  
  

• Mission43 – They provide the resources and support that help take the Military Track to the next level by creating the opportunity for the pitch competition and much more. Their mission is simple: help veterans and spouses thrive in Idaho, and that includes building businesses.

  
  

• Veteran Entrepreneur Alliance (VEA) – The boots-on-the-ground crew planning the content and making sure veterans and military spouses have the mentorship, community, and real-world tools they need to launch and scale.

  
  

• Boise Entrepreneur Week (BEW) – The umbrella event that gives the Military Track its stage, infrastructure, and access to Idaho’s business ecosystem.

  
  

• A huge thank you to Tiam Rastegar and the entire Trailhead Boise team for giving the Military Track a home. Their commitment to strengthening entrepreneurial communities and creating lasting impact through Trailhead has been crucial to the Military Track.

  
  

This is more than events on a calendar. It is a mission to put Idaho’s veteran & veteran spouse entrepreneurs on the map and give them the tools, stage, and support to succeed.

Mission-first. Community-always.