DAV Patriot Boot Camp: Empowering Vetrepreneurs

The DAV Patriot Boot Camp Winter ‘23 will be hosted at the organization’s national headquarters near Cincinnati from Feb. 9–11. Applications are open through December 8.

When Marine Capt. Jonathan Kuniholm lost part of his right arm in combat in Iraq, he used his background in engineering to provide contemporary solutions that better met his fellow arm amputees’ needs. He founded StumpworX and developed a custom prosthetic ecosystem using performance textiles and modern manufacturing. Kuniholm employs his personal disability to be a test pilot for the products he creates with the goal of drastically enhancing the experiences for others who are missing limbs.

Soon after Marine Veteran Kirsten Rivas separated from the military in 2009, she was diagnosed with a hormonal disorder that wreaked havoc on her body. Determined to find relief that other medications couldn’t provide, she turned to holistic, whole-body care—everything from skincare to massage therapy. Now, with BYND Beauty, Rivas wants to bring those same services to others in hopes of helping them on their own health journeys. Earlier this year, she celebrated the opening of her first brick and mortar spa.

Harold Bowser served four years in the Air Force. From his first assignment cleaning dorm bathrooms, he felt there had to be a better way. He used his VA benefits to pursue an education in aerospace engineering and solved problems in the industry for 30 years. But a better way to make showers sparkle remained a lifelong conundrum. In 2014, he discovered by accident a way to automate the cleaning of bathtubs and showers. The next year, Bowser received patents for his company, Simple 2 Clean, which provides a solution that could revolutionize an industry.

These three Veterans were pitch contest finalists among DAV Patriot Boot Camp’s Fall 2022 cohort and are competing for thousands of dollars in unrestricted, no-obligation funding to support their ventures. Perhaps even more valuable, they’ll receive personal pitch coaching by an expert who has decades of experience.

They were among 46 Veterans and spouses who received extensive training to help them succeed as founders during the October event. DAV is excited to announce it has opened applications for its next cohort of entrepreneurs. DAV Patriot Boot Camp Winter ‘23 will be hosted at the organization’s national headquarters near Cincinnati from Feb. 9–11.

Mentors and business leaders will offer up to 50 new participants valuable advice, insight and one-on-one guidance. Each day will also include presentations by world-class experts covering an array of topics, including common legal startup mistakes, marketing and sales, and pitching. Select participants will be invited to participate in a pitch contest with thousands of dollars in no-obligation funding up for grabs following the event.

Applications for DAV Patriot Boot Camp Winter ’23 are open through Thursday, December 8. Interested entrepreneurs can apply at patriotbootcamp.org. There is no cost for registration or participation beyond personal travel-related expenses and lodging. Those who apply will be contacted regarding future opportunities and programming to support their entrepreneurial journey.

DAV is also seeking leaders to serve as mentors, presenters, panelists and event volunteers. If you are interested in supporting the event, please contact info@patriotbootcamp.org.

Program alumni—many of whom return as mentors and presenters—have said the skills and connections made at DAV Patriot Boot Camp helped them secure financing and rapidly grow their businesses. At an event in October, 94 percent of surveyed participants said they would return for future programs.

Since the program’s founding, more than 1,000 alumni have raised over $150 million in venture capital and employ more than 1,900 individuals. Among alumni, nearly 70 percent have a service-connected disability, more than 20 percent are women, and nearly 30 percent identify as being racially diverse.