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First Cohort of Military-Connected Small Business Accelerator Graduates

On October 9th, 2025, the inaugural cohort of the Military-Connected Small Business Accelerator celebrated their graduation at the prestigious Business Beyond the Battlefield Conference held at the National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas. This groundbreaking program is a collaborative effort led by PeopleFund, a non-profit small business lender in Texas, in partnership with the Veterans Business Outreach Center at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTAVBOC) and the Veteran Women's Enterprise Center (VWEC).

Among the graduating cohort were nine veterans and military spouses who successfully completed an intensive curriculum tailored to equip them with vital business skills. In addition to these graduates, two more participants are on track to finalize their program requirements in the coming weeks. Gustavo Lasala, President and CEO of PeopleFund, highlighted the powerful impact of this program stating, "This group is joining a growing network of over 400 graduates from PeopleFund Small Business Accelerators. Cumulatively, they've accessed nearly $20 million in loan capital, received over $1.7 million in grants, and helped create or retain close to 2,000 jobs across Texas."

The program emphasized a comprehensive approach with a range of virtual training sessions, business planning tasks, and personalized coaching. According to VR Small, founder and CEO of VWEC, empowering veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs is crucial. A successful entrepreneur can convert their service-driven mindset into sustainable business ventures. Small expressed that this program is vital for enhancing their entrepreneurial confidence and giving them substantial access to funding. The comprehensive resources supplied through this accelerator aim to empower participants to build businesses that foster economic opportunities within their communities and beyond.

The graduates received substantial financial support, with loan amounts ranging from $6,000 to $200,000 and grants between $3,000 to $6,000. Furthermore, each graduate will continue to receive three years of follow-up support from PeopleFund and its partners, helping ensure their long-term success.

One of the graduates, Tammy Loving, founder of Gnivol Events, expressed her gratitude towards the program, stating, "This accelerator is unique; the structure of the program, the classes, the information that they share, and the people... I really thank this accelerator for supporting us and allowing us veterans to be heard, to be seen."

Patrick E. Alcorn, founder of the Business Beyond the Battlefield Conference, echoed the sentiment about the importance of veteran entrepreneurship. He pointed out that this cause is often overlooked by larger philanthropic and governmental efforts, although thousands of military-connected entrepreneurs are striving to contribute to society through their small businesses. Programs such as the Military-Connected Small Business Accelerator help shift this narrative, emphasizing that veterans and their spouses are valuable contributors to the economy, whoever deserves their chance to pursue the American dream of owning a business.

Looking ahead, this cohort marks just the beginning. Applications for the next cohort of the program will be opening in early 2026, providing more military-connected individuals with the opportunity to engage in this impactful entrepreneurial journey.

About the Organizations

PeopleFund has been serving Texas communities for over 30 years, providing not only financial resources but also extensive business education and ongoing support for small businesses and non-profits that focus on low- and moderate-income populations. Since其 inception in 1994, PeopleFund has successfully deployed $250 million in capital, contributing to the creation and preservation of 25,000 jobs and generating an economic impact surpassing $1.2 billion throughout the state.

The Veterans Business Outreach Center at UTAVBOC plays a crucial role as the primary resource for veteran entrepreneurship, funded in part through a partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to empower transitioning veterans and their families in growing the economy by becoming small business owners.

Furthermore, Veteran Women's Enterprise Center (VWEC) dedicates its efforts to support military-connected women entrepreneurs, ensuring they receive the strategic alliances and advocacy necessary to enhance their businesses and augment growth opportunities.

For additional insights, visit PeopleFund and VWEC.