Veterans complete first Entrepreneurship Boot Camp

PAVE, a program that prepares veterans for business success, completed its first Entrepreneurship Boot Camp in January as a virtual training event for Louisiana veterans, active-duty personnel and reservists looking to start a business.

PAVE is an innovative program to hone entrepreneurial skills. PAVE begins with three online courses available 24 hours a day. The initial online training covers starting a business, securing financing, and developing a sales strategy. Participants then take part in a scheduled boot camp for entrepreneurs, hosted by the Louisiana Small Business Development Center Network, or LSBDC.

PAVE is a learning experience created in 2020 through a partnership of LED, LSBDC, the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs and the Louisiana National Guard.

PAVE is the latest Louisiana program designed for the state’s veterans, joining other programs that include the Veteran Initiative for state procurement opportunities, and the Louisiana Veterans First Business Initiative, which recognizes more than 500 veteran-owned businesses through an online database.