The NYC DVS' Veteran Business Leadership Association (VBLA) will offer an online workshop, Growth Strategies for Veteran-Owned Companies, on Thursday, May 19, 2-4pm EDT.

Veterans that own a company and want to take it to the next level will learn about strategies, resources, and certifications that can help them to grow and expand their businesses. Attendees will get access to exclusive training for military veterans that own a business. This two-hour class will cover strategies that other veteran-owned companies have used to successfully navigate the government contracting space to grow their companies.

Instructed by: Dr. Ryan Letts

Register here.

About Dr. Ryan Letts:

Dr. Ryan Letts, DBA is a management consultant that has worked with hundreds of companies to meet their goals and resolve both internal and external management issues. Dr. Letts specializes in growth strategies and government contracting. Using his vast experience and subject matter expertise Dr. Letts has helped startup businesses grow from ideation to multi-million-dollar enterprises.

Prior to venturing as an independent management consultant, Dr. Letts worked as a business advisor at the Small Business Development Center which is funded by the US Small Business Administration. Dr. Letts was part of a team that partnered with public and private organizations to bring free services to the business community. Part of Dr. Letts’ responsibilities was serving as the Veteran’s Business Outreach Coordinator (VBOC) for New York City and New Jersey funded by the US Department of Defense (DoD) to bolster business participation from the veteran and minority communities. To meet that goal, Dr. Letts has worked with many organizations throughout New York City and the State of New Jersey that focus on veterans in many different areas. Some of the organizations that Dr. Letts has worked with included the Chambers of Commerce, Libraries, NYC Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs, now the NYC Department of Veteran Services, Military Installations, Council, Congressional, and Senate Offices, and host of others.

The NYC DVS' Veteran Business Leadership Association (VBLA) will offer an online workshop, Turning Your Military Skills into a Business, on Thursday, June 2, 2-4pm EDT.

Veterans that recently separated from the military have developed critical skills that are transferable to entrepreneurship. Whether you have a new idea or you are thinking of buying an existing business like a franchise, veterans will learn about resources and how to take advantage of them in a post-COVID environment. This two-hour class covers the topics of military skills translation; types of skills that are transferable to business ownership; franchising for veterans; resources for veteran business owners.

Instructed by: Dr. Ryan Letts

Register here.

About Dr. Ryan Letts:

Dr. Ryan Letts, DBA is a management consultant that has worked with hundreds of companies to meet their goals and resolve both internal and external management issues. Dr. Letts specializes in growth strategies and government contracting. Using his vast experience and subject matter expertise Dr. Letts has helped startup businesses grow from ideation to multi-million-dollar enterprises.

Prior to venturing as an independent management consultant, Dr. Letts worked as a business advisor at the Small Business Development Center which is funded by the US Small Business Administration. Dr. Letts was part of a team that partnered with public and private organizations to bring free services to the business community. Part of Dr. Letts’ responsibilities was serving as the Veteran’s Business Outreach Coordinator (VBOC) for New York City and New Jersey funded by the US Department of Defense (DoD) to bolster business participation from the veteran and minority communities. To meet that goal, Dr. Letts has worked with many organizations throughout New York City and the State of New Jersey that focus on veterans in many different areas. Some of the organizations that Dr. Letts has worked with included the Chambers of Commerce, Libraries, NYC Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs, now the NYC Department of Veteran Services, Military Installations, Council, Congressional, and Senate Offices, and host of others.

The NYC DVS' Veteran Business Leadership Association (VBLA) will offer an online workshop, Government Contracting Strategies for Veterans, on Thursday, May 26, 2-4pm EDT.

Learn how to leverage your status as a veteran and veteran-owned company to do business with the government. Veterans will get a deeper understanding of the government procurement process and how to access prime and subcontracting opportunities. The 2-hour class covers the topics of certifying your company; understanding contract vehicles; developing past performance; and strategies for securing your first government contract.

Instructed by: Dr. Ryan Letts

Register here.

About Dr. Ryan Letts:

Dr. Ryan Letts, DBA is a management consultant that has worked with hundreds of companies to meet their goals and resolve both internal and external management issues. Dr. Letts specializes in growth strategies and government contracting. Using his vast experience and subject matter expertise Dr. Letts has helped startup businesses grow from ideation to multi-million-dollar enterprises.

Prior to venturing as an independent management consultant, Dr. Letts worked as a business advisor at the Small Business Development Center which is funded by the US Small Business Administration. Dr. Letts was part of a team that partnered with public and private organizations to bring free services to the business community. Part of Dr. Letts’ responsibilities was serving as the Veteran’s Business Outreach Coordinator (VBOC) for New York City and New Jersey funded by the US Department of Defense (DoD) to bolster business participation from the veteran and minority communities. To meet that goal, Dr. Letts has worked with many organizations throughout New York City and the State of New Jersey that focus on veterans in many different areas. Some of the organizations that Dr. Letts has worked with included the Chambers of Commerce, Libraries, NYC Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs, now the NYC Department of Veteran Services, Military Installations, Council, Congressional, and Senate Offices, and host of others.

NPowerMatch, NPower's national virtual mentorship program is seeking mentors who want to give back to the NPower community of students.

As a mentor, you will:

Match with mentees based on common career paths and interests

Offer professional guidance in the following areas: career readiness, leadership skills, communication, and more

Grow your network

Contribute to diversity and equity in the tech industry

The NYC Department of Veterans' Services has launched the Veteran Business Leadership Association (VBLA).  The Veteran Business Leadership Association’s primary mission is to serve Veterans who are seeking support and assistance with running a business and in their pursuit of New York City Government contracting opportunities. The leadership association will engage with the private sector, government, advisory board, and local partners to build a consortium to facilitate the growth and development of Veteran Businesses. 

Click here to learn more and to subscribe to VBLA updates.

The HIRE Vets Medallion Award is the only federal-level veterans’ employment award that recognizes a company or organization’s commitment to veteran hiring, retention, and professional development

Does that sound like you or an employer you know and respect?

Last year, 849 employers were Honored for their Investments in Recruiting and Employing veterans. This year, you can be recognized, too.

The award is based on a number of criteria, ranging from veteran hiring and retention to providing veteran-specific resources, leadership programming, dedicated human resources, and compensation and tuition assistance programs.

Don’t wait until it’s too late! The deadline to apply is April 30, 2022. 

NYU Tandon Data Future Lab's Flash Pitch is BACK, bringing together investors, founders, and the startup community as 5 trailblazing startups pitch their companies. The drill: In just 3 minutes, each startup presents to 3 top-tier investors, who will interrogate the product and business viability to provide solid, actionable feedback for improvement. Over the years, 20% of companies who pitch have gone on to be accepted to accelerators and/or raise capital. 

For the first time ever, they’re also opening NYC's premier pitch competition to companies across the US. Want your shot? Apply to pitch today. Registration is free, and live VC feedback on your startup is priceless. 

Flash Pitch will take place on Thursday, April 21, 2022, 12:00-1:30pm EDT.

**Application deadline is Sunday, April 3, 2022.**

Hot Bread Kitchen will host a four-week online Prep for Success Program to turn your food business idea into a reality.  Classes will be held on Mondays and Thursdays, 5-7pm Eastern Time via Zoom.  The course will run from March 14, 2022 to April 8, 2022.

Participants will learn about business financials, marketing, strategic planning, customer service, and how to generate sales.

Application deadline is Wednesday, March 9th at 11:59pm EST.

Bunker Labs’ successful Breaking Barriers workshop series is accepting applications for its winter workshop until January 17th!

The workshop empowers motivated entrepreneurs from traditionally underserved communities to network and grow businesses together in a challenging, supportive environment.

Apply here.

In recognition of our veteran-owned businesses, this year’s “Cummins Exploratory Day” will take place virtually the week of Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 9th, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm (Eastern Time). 

The Indiana Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is partnering with Cummins to host the 2021 “Cummins Exploratory Day,” an effort by Cummins Global Supplier Diversity’s Center of Excellence to grow supply opportunities for a diverse audience of suppliers, including veteran-owned, minority-owned, women-owned, and LGBTQ-owned businesses. With a special focus toward veteran-owned businesses, the 2021 webinar will provide an insight into Cummins, provide potential suppliers the necessary groundwork for becoming a preferred vendor and discuss the global opportunities for both products and services.