WeWork and the Minneapolis chapter of Bunker Labs released the names of the entrepreneurs and startups selected to participate in its inaugural Veterans in Residence program, an initiative that aims to provide veteran entrepreneurs with space and resources to grow their businesses.
WeWork and Bunker Labs announced the launch of Veterans in Residence in the Twin Cities earlier this summer. The program officially begins this month.
Veterans in Residence is a national effort from Bunker Labs and WeWork. Accepted applicants earn six months of free workspace and access to other WeWork resources. Veterans in Residence also offers discounted space to veteran-owned companies with fewer than 10 employees.
Bunker Labs has 18 chapters across the United States. The organization’s Minneapolis arm officially launched during Twin Cities Startup Week in 2016. Since arriving in the area, Bunker has run at least three cohorts through Launch Lab, its incubator for early-stage, veteran-led startups.
Bunker Labs and WeWork began piloting the Veterans in Residence program late last year. It started in Denver, and is now in 14 cities.
"WeWork's partnership with Bunker Labs allows us to help support our nation's heroes with the space, community and business services needed to create their life's work," Megan Dodds, WeWork general manager for the Midwest, said in a release. "We appreciate the support that the ViR program has received in Minneapolis thus far, and look forward to seeing what the future holds for our inaugural cohort of veteran entrepreneurs."
Here are the seven startups in the inaugural Minneapolis Veterans in Residence cohort:
PontyF
- Founder: Ryan McKeen, Airborne Linguist and SIGINT Operator, Air Force
- Startup: PontyF is a "solution design studio" made up of a team of surveyors, creators, architects and engineers that help develop products.
Blast Off Marketing
- Founder: Calinn Green, Aircrew Flight Equipment, Air Force
- Startup: Blast Off is a photo and video focused marketing agency.
CallSign51
- Founder: Jeff Achen, Payroll Clerk, Navy
- Startup: CallSign51 is a marketing services company that creates "visual storytelling" elements like photos, videos and motion graphics.
Wirth Capital
- Founder: Anthony Bramante, Human Intelligence, Marine Corps
- Startup: Wirth Capital aims to acquire and grow a small to medium-sized energy business in the Twin Cities area.
Warrior Strong
- Founder: Dajon Ferrell, Public Affairs and Marketing, Army
- Startup:Warrior Strong offers a suite of services, including seminars, resilience traning and counseling for veterans or civilians with PTSD, anxiety, depression or sexual trauma.
Midwest Select Contracting
- Founder: Edna McKenzie, Administration Specialist, Army
- Startup: Midwest Select Contracting is a company focused on environmentally and ecologically-conscious construction. The business serves a variety of industries, ranging from commercial construction to veteran-orientated organizations.
Nobis
- Founder: Nathan CW Smith, Surface Warfare Officer, Navy
- Startup: Nobis creates software for leadership coaching and culture steering.
