Bob Evans Farms has launched a new business venture specifically for veterans to allow them to pitch business ideas and possibly receive a grant to make their CEO dreams a reality. This is pretty amazing.
According to Fox News, Bob Evans Farms started the program this week to offer financial assistance to veterans looking to take their business ideas to the next level. The program called, “Heroes to CEO’s” will select three veterans an award each with a $25,000 business grant.
It is touted as the largest veterans-only grant program that is currently available to all vets. In addition to Bob Evans Farms, the initiative has partnered with the non-profit veteran advocacy group The Mission Continues. The non-profit is one of the programs that helps support active-duty and veterans transition to civilian life.
“The Mission Continues and Bob Evans share a commitment to empowering military veterans towards continued personal and professional success,” The Mission Continues president and U.S. Army veteran Spencer Kympton told Fox. “We have countless examples of how veterans are contributing their skills, experience and passion toward improving their neighborhoods across the country.”
Veterans looking to apply to the program can submit a video that shares their business idea and demonstrates that they have a “solid business concept.”
CEO and president of Bob Evans Farms, Mike Townsley, spoke to Fox News regarding the program.
“These veterans leave behind a world that’s very structured, with strict lines about how things are done,” he said. “As an entrepreneur, lines tend to get blurred and you have to figure out how to do things on your own… there’s no handbook for that.”
The company hopes to help veterans who have the will to find a way to make their dreams a reality.
“We want to help them,” Townsley added, “Many returning veterans have innovative and interesting ideas but need help getting started. These problems are only exacerbated by the lack of funding options for veteran entrepreneurs.”
The winning vets will not only get the grant, but they will also win a mentoring session with Daymond John, founder of Fubu and one of the investors featured on the popular idea-pitching show “Shark Tank.”
Bob Evans – a vet himself — has long been a supporter of veterans causes. The 500 restaurants the company boasts regularly offer military discounts and free meals for veterans on Veterans Day.
The company wants to continue its legacy of giving back and Heroes to CEO’s is another way of doing just that. Those who wish to apply should visit www.ourfarmsalutes.com and fill out an application.
Applications will be accepted up until Aug. 8 and the winners will be announced on Sept. 12.
What an amazing program and opportunity.
(via: Conservative Tribune)
