his report is the result of the first year of data collection from our National Survey of Military-Affiliated Entrepreneurs – a multi-year, annual and longitudinal study of veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs. Overall, the findings from this report corroborate previous research asserting there is a noteworthy relationship between military service and entrepreneurship. Veteran entrepreneurs are motivated to be independent, creative, innovative, and to serve society and support their communities. On the other hand, they experience an array of barriers to include access to capital, difficulty navigating resources, certification process hurdles, and lack  assistance from medical and disability service providers. This study reveals success or failure does not depend on one, but rather on multiple factors related to barriers and challenges veteran entrepreneurs experience.

This study’s results provide insights into economic, political, and socio-cultural factors that affect veteran entrepreneurship and offer a foundation for recommendations in advancing veteran entrepreneurial outcomes. The recommendations are located at the end of this report and provide recommendations and guidance to stakeholders and practitioners in veteran and entrepreneurship programs and services, policy and public sector, and veteran entrepreneurs.