Victory Spark, a Milwaukee-based accelerator program for veteran entrepreneurs, is taking applications for its summer business workshop through April 29. The 12-week accelerator program provides hands-on training for veterans looking to launch or grow their business ventures. Victory Spark will also offer grants to startups that successfully complete the program.

VictorySpark

Backed by the Global Entrepreneurship Collective, Inc. (GEC) and the Vetransfer program, Victory Spark prepares veterans to start their own businesses. Unlike traditional business plan writing programs, Victory Spark focuses on evidence-based fact finding tactics to establish a viable business model. Veterans directly engage with customers to test the validity of their ideas, while interacting with mentors who support and advise them on their entrepreneurial goals.

Victory Spark was founded by a grant from the Federal Department of Veterans Center for Innovation and continues today with financial support from the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs and the WEDC.

Recently, six startup teams successfully graduated from Victory Spark’s winter 2013 program. Congratulations to PsyberFire, AuditPad, Range Tactics, Workhorse Rehab, ScopeBridge, and Life Without Barriers. In total, 29 veteran-led startups have successfully completed the competitive program, creating 105 jobs in Wisconsin and around the country.

Veterans are encouraged to apply at vetransfer.org/apply by April 29, 2014. For more information about the Victory Spark program and Vetransfer, visit vetransfer.org.