National Veterans Entrepreneurship Program

Helping Veterans Launch or Grow Their Own Businesses

Our military veterans served and protected our nation and acquired knowledge and skills including risk management, performance under pressure, and leadership. To help military veterans translate those skills to the civilian world and build successful businesses, The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is proud to present the National Veterans Entrepreneurship Program (VEP).

Now in its 16th year, the VEP offers a highly innovative immersion program built around hands-on learning, personalized interaction, and exposure to inspiring role models. Our mission is to foster the creation of successful, profitable ventures owned by veterans. A team of world-class faculty, distinguished entrepreneurs, and subject matter experts work with delegates, providing a challenging, interactive, and informative experience.

The Gary W. Rollins College of Business and its location in Chattanooga, Tennessee, are an ideal venue for the VEP. Chattanooga is an emerging global entrepreneurial hub, steeped in history, and on the cutting edge of entrepreneurial practice and education.

Through our consortium, VEP has served over 1,000 veterans. In order to continue to serve as many of our nation's veterans as possible, the VEP is also offered at Oklahoma State University. For more information about their program and schedule, please visit their website.

VEP gives you a community. You’re surrounded by fellow veterans who understand your mindset, your mission and your drive. As a disabled minority woman veteran, I felt seen, supported and empowered. VEP helped me clarify my vision and gave me the confidence to scale my businesses with purpose.
—Anjanette Wheeler, VEP 2025 graduate