Register for one or all of our Business Cohort Incubators in 2025!
We are launching a statewide hybrid business incubator program to support Veteran, Military Serving, and Spouse Business Owners in starting, growing, and scaling their businesses. Our hybrid cohort offers expert-led guidance, interactive discussions, and networking opportunities for entrepreneurs at all stages.
Business Start Up and Pitch Cohort Details
Number of Attendees at each Site: 10 Participants
Eligibility: Open to Veterans, Military Members, Spouses, and any business owners interested are welcome!
Confirmed Locations: Boise & Idaho Falls
👍We are working with more remote site locations across Idaho to host. Your location could be next!
Business Start-Up Topics
- Developing an Entrepreneurial Mindset
- Creating a Business Model That Works
- Understanding Customer Needs & Market Research
- Building a Simple Financial Plan
- Marketing & Branding Strategies
- Launching & Growing a Sustainable Business
- Overcoming Business Challenges
- Setting Achievable & Realistic Goals
- Establishing a Strong Business Network
Business Pitch Cohort Overview
The Business Pitch Workshop, led by Boise State's Venture College, equips teams with the tools and knowledge to present their business ideas with confidence.
Participants will learn how to structure an effective pitch deck, understand what content to include, access key resources, and anticipate the types of questions judges are likely to ask.
By the end of the workshop, each team will have a strong foundational pitch deck they can refine and use for future presentations.
Why a Hybrid Model?
Feedback from past participants has shown that entrepreneurs prefer in-person connections over fully remote learning. By establishing local sites across Idaho, we provide accessibility, networking, and support to help entrepreneurs thrive in their communities, with their business resource agencies or supporters, and build long-lasting business relationships. We know we cannot be everywhere, and our mission is to navigate. Let's bring the Veterans and Spouse business owners to you. Seeking Remote Host Sites – Join Our Mission!
Become a Remote Host Site - Join Our Mission
We are looking for community partners interested in hosting a remote site in their local area to provide business owners with a collaborative learning space. Each site will serve as a hub where participants can join the incubator via Zoom while engaging with other local entrepreneurs.
Host Site Expectations
- Provide a space where business owners can gather weekly for the Zoom-based training.
- Offer basic amenities such as WiFi, seating, and a screen for the Zoom session.
- We provide marketing support with customized flyers and logos for your location (See below).
- No direct funding is available for host sites, but we can evaluate any costs associated.
- Snacks and water are encouraged, but full meals are not required.
- Support any group work by facilitating the discussion at your site and sharing with others on a live feed.
Why Become a Remote Host Site?
- Support local Veteran & Spouse entrepreneurs in your community
- Gain visibility as a business and community supporter
- Network with small business owners and ecosystem partners in your community
- Strengthen local business development efforts
Please email us to become a site at Entrepreneur@idahoveterans.org
Pitch Incubator Frequently Asked Questions
Question: If I register and attend the Business Pitch Incubator, does that automatically qualify my business to pitch at the Idaho Veterans Chamber of Commerce Shark Tank Pitch Competition? Answer: No, however, the incubator course does provide you with an advantage to be ready to apply for the Chambers pitch competition and others being hosted by different organizations across Idaho and the United States.
Question: What type of businesses would be a good fit to attend the Pitch Incubator? Answer: All business types from start-up, scaling, franchise owners, ideation phase, and also includes businesses that have a product, service, prototype being built, retail, food, etc. The Business Pitch Incubator is designed to help you create a pitch that you can use to connect with investors, wholesale markets, potential clients, business bankers, CDFIs, and Federal, State, and local government contracts. The incubator is designed to prepare you for capital funding or, at the very least, help you to be capital funding-ready.
Question: What are the options to attend the course? Answer: In person in Boise and Idaho Falls (Broadcasted from Nampa to Idaho Falls Remote Site)
Question: How will my business benefit from attending? Answer: Your business will be introduced to Business Bankers, Entrepreneur Resource Partners, Investors, and other community partners who are eager to help your business launch, scale, or grow. The Idaho Veterans Chamber of Commerce will also be featuring your business through spotlights to the Network of over 2k people across Idaho over the next several months through social media, newsletters, and at events. The opportunity to get to know the Idaho Veterans Chamber Business Advisors and Boise State Venture College Faculty will happen organically, and the opportunities to apply for other capital funding will be provided to your business based on referrals and advocacy that is created over the weeks.
Question: What happens after the Business Pitch Incubator has concluded? Answer: Your business will have the tools, knowledge, and understanding of how to pitch your business, and most importantly, you will have shared your business with Pitch Experts from Boise State University Venture College that will be there to support you for years to come. We will also be starting a Business Pitch Incubator Alumni online chat feature to continue to learn and grow with other Business Owners who attend the first cohort and the ones to follow each year.
Question: What will I leave the Incubator Cohort with? Answer: A well-developed pitch deck, an opportunity to present to capital readiness funders, to include investors, bankers, partners, CDFIs, and Government, State, and Local Contract partners. A connection with a group of businesses that will be a part of your journey for years to come. A more successful future and pathway to launching, scaling, or growing your business. In the last week, you will present your business pitch deck to the community of funders, supporters, and those who may want to do business with your business. Opportunities are ENDLESS.
Question: Does this cost anything? Answer: No, we are a nonprofit 501c3 and have raised funds through events, grants, sponsorships, and donations to provide this cohort at no cost to our Military Serving, Veterans in Transitioning, and Spouses. We will also provide the course at no cost to patriot-owned businesses as part of our partnership with Boise State Venture College.
Question: What if I don't have time for this Incubator because I have so much going on with my business? Answer: We understand entrepreneurs have to decide on where they invest their time. We believe this cohort is designed to give you back time in the long run, help you get where you need to go quicker with the right tools, resources, and understanding of your business. At some point entrepreneurs must take time to work on their business and not in their business to see the results, get more sleep, feel more confident, have a clearer mindset, and most importantly be able to put the shiny pennies aside for now and take a step back to reflect, assess, redirect, and prioritize on the things that will bring more results and give you time back.
Your Entrepreneurship journey requires a network of people that you can grow, learn, and even hit bumps in the road with. Building your entrepreneurship network can start here.
Food & Farm Marketing Bootcamp
November 12th - 14th 2025
Join us for a hands-on 3-day workshop designed to equip veteran and spouse business owners in the food and agriculture industry with essential marketing strategies to grow their business, increase sales, and strengthen their brand. Business Owners will be provided practical tools, expert-led training, and collaborative peer learning to help navigate the ever-changing landscape of food and farm business marketing.
Current Remote Sites Offered for the Marketing Bootcamp Course are:
* Nampa
* Idaho Falls
* Boise
* Moscow
* Caldwell
* Sandpoint
Watch for more to come online......