Second Service Foundation Military Entrepreneur Challenge
Second Service Foundation
Up to $15,000 + $50K legal services
$15K pitch prize for military-connected founders
The Military Entrepreneur Challenge (MEC) is a nationwide pitch competition for veteran, military spouse, and Gold Star Family small business owners. Hosted by the Second Service Foundation with SBA, Holland & Knight, and Samuel Adams support, regional events offer smaller prizes while the National Finale — held at the Military Influencer Conference — awards $15,000, $6,000, and $4,000 to the top three finishers. Winners also receive up to $50,000 in pro-bono legal services. The MEC has distributed over $400,000 in grants since 2016.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- Private
- Amount range
- $1,000 – $15,000
- Realistic amount
- Most participants compete at regional events where semifinalist prizes are $1,000 and first place is $1,000. The nationa…
- Deadline
- Annual — regional events held throughout the year; National Finale at the Military Influencer Conference (typically fall). Check secondservicefoundation.org for current event schedule.
- Status
- between-intakes
- States
- Nationwide
- Payment model
- lump sum
Who qualifies
- Must own at least 51% of a legally registered US business
- Must be a veteran, active-duty military member, military spouse, or Gold Star Family member
- Must be at least 21 years old
- Must demonstrate financial need for the grant capital
Hard requirements
- Veteran ownership required
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Working capital and business operations
- Equipment and inventory
- Marketing and business development
- Hiring and staffing
- Technology and software
- Legal expenses (through the pro-bono legal services component for first-place winner)
Ineligible expenses
- Personal expenses unrelated to the business
- Businesses not meeting the 51% military-connected ownership requirement
How to apply
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1
Register for a regional MEC event
Visit secondservicefoundation.org/mec to find an upcoming regional event near you. Registration is typically free or low-cost and opens on a rolling basis. Regional events include a speed coaching session and a private pitch to judges.
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2
Pitch at regional event
Participate in the speed coaching session, then pitch your business to a judging panel in the private pitch session. Semifinalists receive $1,000 and first-place regional winner receives $1,000. Top regional performers advance.
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3
Compete at the National Finale
National finalists are invited to pitch at the Military Influencer Conference National Finale. This is a live pitch to a judge panel and audience. Top 3 finishers receive cash grants ($15K/$6K/$4K).
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4
Receive award and legal services
National winner receives the $15,000 grant plus up to $50,000 in pro-bono legal services from Holland & Knight LLP. Runners-up receive their respective prize amounts.
Regional events offer guaranteed $1,000 semifinalist prizes — even participants who don't win regionals often walk away with cash. The speed coaching component at each event provides value beyond the prize money.
Deadline & timing
As of May 2026 the official program page (secondservicefoundation.org/mec) shows a "coming soon" placeholder with no current event schedule. Contact the Second Service Foundation directly to confirm 2026 Military Entrepreneur Challenge events.
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Last reviewed 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.