COCC’s new STRIVE training, mentorship program is accepting applications from veteran entrepreneurs

(update: adding comments from STRIVE program lead, veterans, adding video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Central Oregon Community College's Small Business Development Center is one of only eight educational sites in the country to be a designated partner for Syracuse University’s new Startup Training Resources to Inspire Veteran Entrepreneurship program, or STRIVE, that starts up next month.

The COCC center has been taking applications for its inaugural training and mentorship cohort, with the eight-week evening program to begin Jan. 14.

Five people have already enrolled in the course, but 10 spots are still available.

Some of the classes will be taught by Keith Sherrill, coordinator for COCC’s Small Business Development Center’s management program. He's hoping to help veterans start their own businesses, like he did.

"I'm a military veteran, I'm a veteran entrepreneur," Sherrill said. "(What) I really hope is that there's some percentage of people in the program that are interested in what Bend, Oregon needs, what Redmond Sisters, you know, whatever - our surrounding communities need and start from there."

The free program is limited to 15 enrollees; visit cocc.edu/sbdc to learn more and apply.

Hosted on the Bend campus, the in-person training — held on Tuesday evenings — will show attendees how to successfully launch their own business and connect them with mentorship. STRIVE offers post-program support and even awards several cash prizes.

“We’re giving away $10,000 during a ‘pitch your idea’ competition,” explained Sherrill. Complimentary dinners are provided for the duration of the training.

The program is open to all Central Oregon honorably discharged veterans, spouses, active-duty service members (with less than one year remaining before discharge) and current or former members of the National Guard or Reserves. Fifty percent or more of the business must be owned by a veteran, active military service member or military spouse.

Local veterans say military service helps develop skills for running a business.

"It gives service members the opportunity to learn so many different things. There are soft skills, communication, leadership, time management, so on that all veterans bring to the workplace." said Work Source Veterans Employment Representative, Paul Messett.

A grant that COCC’s Small Business Development Center received in April from Business Oregon, the state’s economic development agency, helped initiate the partnership with STRIVE.

"Veterans need help from their communities, but their communities also need help from their Veterans." Sherrill said.

STRIVE is one of a series of entrepreneurship-oriented programs offered through Syracuse University’s D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families, which was founded in 2011 to serve some 25 million U.S. veterans, focusing on the social, economic, education and policy issues affecting them and their families.

For more information, contact Keith Sherrill at ksherrill@cocc.edu or 541-383-7290.