Warrior Rising Entrepreneurship Programs
Warrior Rising
Free programs + selective grants
Veteran entrepreneur pathway from idea to funding
Nonprofit providing a four-program entrepreneurship pathway for veterans, military spouses, and immediate family members. The pathway runs from free self-paced training (Warrior Academy) through live online instruction (LaunchPoint for service-disabled veterans; Warrior University for growth-stage businesses) to invite-only pitch competitions with non-dilutive funding (Business Showers). No equity taken. All programs free to eligible participants. Business Showers funding is awarded selectively to participants with demonstrated traction and growth potential — amounts are not publicly disclosed but are grant-format (no strings attached).
- Funding type
- Program
- Level
- Private
- Amount
- Training programs are free. Business Showers pitch competition awards non-dilutive grants to select participants — specific award amounts not publicly disclosed. Historical participants report grants typically in the range of $1,000–$15,000 based on available nonprofit capacity.
- Realistic amount
- Most participants receive free training and mentorship, not cash. The Business Showers funding pathway is invite-only an…
- Deadline
- Rolling — Warrior Academy available on-demand. LaunchPoint and Warrior University run live cohorts; check warriorrising.org/programs for current schedule. Business Showers are invite-only.
- Status
- active
- States
- Nationwide
- Payment model
- lump sum
Who qualifies
- Veterans (any era, any discharge status accepted at program discretion)
- Military spouses
- Immediate family members of veterans or active duty service members
- LaunchPoint (SDVET) specifically designed for service-disabled veterans converting ideas to businesses
- Warrior University requires an actively growing business with demonstrated traction
- Business Showers invite-only — selected from program alumni based on traction and growth potential
- No minimum revenue or incorporation requirement for Warrior Academy or LaunchPoint
Hard requirements
- Veteran ownership required
- Demographic eligibility: veteran-owned
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Business Showers grants: unrestricted — participants use funds at their discretion for business growth
- Common uses include: marketing, equipment, inventory, operational expenses
Ineligible expenses
- Grants are not for personal expenses
- Training programs do not provide cash for expenses — service-delivery only
How to apply
-
1
Enroll in Warrior Academy (recommended first step for all)
Self-paced on-demand business plan development course. Warrior Rising recommends all participants — regardless of business stage — start here to establish a foundation and get visibility within the organization.
~10 hrs
-
2
Apply for LaunchPoint or Warrior University based on stage
LaunchPoint: live online cohort for service-disabled veterans assessing and validating business ideas. Warrior University: live online program for veterans actively growing an established business. Check warriorrising.org/programs for current cohort openings.
~2 hrs
-
3
Engage with the Warrior Rising community and mentors
Active participants gain access to mentors, peer networks, and warm introductions to veteran-specific capital. The organization tracks participant progress over time.
~5 hrs
-
4
Business Showers (invite-only — no direct application)
Warrior Rising invites qualifying graduates to pitch competitions based on demonstrated traction, growth potential, and business model strength. Winners receive non-dilutive grant funding with no repayment or equity obligation.
~8 hrs
Business Showers grants are invite-only — you cannot apply cold. The path in is completing Warrior Academy first, then engaging actively with LaunchPoint or Warrior University. Visibility within the org is what triggers the invite.
Deadline & timing
Warrior Academy is self-paced and available immediately. LaunchPoint (SDVET) and Warrior University are live online programs with cohort schedules — check the programs page for active cohorts. Business Showers are invite-only based on traction, growth potential, and strong business model; participants do not apply directly but are selected from program alumni.
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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.