Rider Offers Programs For Veterans With Business Ideas

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ — Rider University offers help for veterans who need expert guidance on a business idea through the Veterans Entrepreneurship Training (VET) program offered through the university’s Center for Entrepreneurial Studies. It is the fifth consecutive year the seven-week program is being offered, but for the first time, participating veterans can also earn three college credits through the program.

Evening classes at the university are taught by professors from Rider’s College of Business Administration. The VET program, which also provides help for veterans wishing to expand an existing business, is made possible through the support of the New Jersey Bankers Charitable Foundation, Inc. and The Uncommon Individual Foundation.

“As we move into our fifth year of offering this program, we are very fortunate to have the support of these two foundations that share our vision of helping veterans pursue their entrepreneurial dreams,” Rider Center for Entrepreneurial Studies Director and Associate Dean for Graduate Programs Dr. Ronald Cook said.

The program starts with the veterans developing their business concept. Cook notes that this concept must be finalized before a veteran can continue developing their idea.

“Only veterans whose business concept is developed are able to determine its viability,” Cook said.

He added that the 2018 cohort of veteran-students will benefit from Rider’s proven program. The program offers hands-on assignments and a mentoring program, where veterans apply to work with an entrepreneurial mentor for a year after the classroom portion of the program ends. The program also includes a panel of various subject-matter experts who will be available to all the veterans in the program.

"The participants in the program will be able to consult with all of these experts for whatever assistance or advice they may need for their individual business ideas during the classroom part of the program,” Cook said.

The support of The Uncommon Individual Foundation will greatly enhance the post-classroom program.
"The Foundation will offer their full resources to help the veterans pursue their ventures once they have graduated from the classroom portion of the program,” Cook said.

Interested applicants can apply online at www.rider.edu/vep. For more information or questions about the program email Patricia Adams at padams@rider.edu.