Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Program

About the program

The Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at Rider University offers a free, six-week entrepreneurship training program each summer. This program invites veterans, veteran spouses and dependents of veterans to our Lawrenceville, NJ campus to learn how to start a business or grow an existing one. Students begin by developing a business concept and then exploring the feasibility of that concept.

Class size is limited to 20 students to allow for instructor feedback and individualized attention, which is vital during the development of the business concept and feasibility study. Students will also receive access to Rider University resources, course materials and plenty of feedback. At the conclusion of the program, students have the opportunity to receive one-on-one mentoring from the Uncommon Individual Foundation (UIF).

Interested in pursuing a bachelor's degree?

This program is also available for credit by completing additional coursework. Rider's Office of Veterans and Military Affairs will work with applicants to determine eligibility for veterans benefits.

How to apply

The summer 2024 program is completed. We are accepting applications for the summer 2025 program. The program will be contingent on sponsorship funding, which will be determined in early 2025. However, you can apply now using the below button. You will be in our system and a space reserved for you. Once funding is secured and a schedule developed, you will be contacted to confirm that you still are interested and you can make the classes. You must be a veteran, veteran spouse or a dependent of a veteran and have a business concept to pursue to be eligible to participate.

Apply now 

Program schedule

The summer 2025 program is anticipated to run from mid-May to the end of June. All classes will meet on evenings on our Lawrenceville, NJ campus from 6:30-9:30 p.m. All sessions will include some hands-on time to work on your idea. Online research work will also be completed each week. 

A tentative schedule is as follows: 

• Week 1: Welcome, Business Concept Development and Understanding your Industry
• Week 2: Industry Structure, Industry Trends, Business Research Skills using Databases Week
• Week 3: Understand Your Customers and Competition: Competitive Analysis, Demographics, Competitive Advantage Week
• Week 4: How to Gain Customers: Promotions, Pricing, Sales Assumptions and Sales Forecast Week
• Week 5: What Does It Cost To Fulfill Sales: Supplies, Personnel, Inventory, and All Costs
• Week 6: Can You Make $?: Financials, Cash Flow and Wrap-up

Our sponsor

This program is made possible through our partnership with New Jersey Bankers Charitable Foundation, who shares our vision of helping foster veterans’ personal and professional growth through entrepreneurial training.