$20,000 business grants available through Warrior University

Warrior Rising's Warrior University program is now accepting applications for its summer session, which runs June 9-10 and serves as a gateway to competing for business grants worth up to $20,000. The two-day advanced training program is designed for military-connected entrepreneurs who have moved beyond the fundamentals and are ready to pitch their businesses for serious capital. Completion of Warrior University is a required step before veterans can compete in a Warrior Rising Business Shower, where selected founders present their companies to win non-dilutive funding that does not require giving up equity or control.

Warrior Rising is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has been supporting military-connected entrepreneurs since 2015. The organization was built by veterans for veterans and has helped more than 30,000 military-connected entrepreneurs through training, coaching, and community support. Over its history, Warrior Rising has helped create and fund over 100 veteran-owned businesses across various industries. The Warrior University program represents the advanced tier of their full entrepreneurship track, positioned as the bridge between foundational business education and the opportunity to compete for grant funding.

The program is open to a broad range of military-connected individuals, including veterans, active duty service members, Guard and Reserve members, military spouses, and immediate family members. This inclusive eligibility means that disabled veterans at any rating level can apply, as can their family members who are pursuing entrepreneurial ventures. The program does not appear to have disability rating requirements or state-specific restrictions, making it accessible to military-connected entrepreneurs nationwide who are ready to advance their businesses beyond the idea stage.

Warrior University consists of two focused evenings of instruction designed to sharpen participants' business models, communication skills, and competitive readiness. Recent Business Shower winners have included veteran founders working in defense manufacturing, financial services, legal tech, and consumer products, with each winning $20,000 or more to reinvest directly into their companies. The program emphasizes that slots are limited and the Business Shower pipeline is competitive, so veterans serious about pursuing grant capital should apply early for the June 9-10 session.

For disabled veterans, this opportunity represents a meaningful pathway to entrepreneurship that recognizes the unique challenges of building a business while managing service-connected conditions. Non-dilutive grant funding is particularly valuable because it provides capital without the pressure of investor expectations or repayment schedules that can be difficult to manage alongside disability-related limitations. The program's focus on practical, results-oriented training taught by people who have both served and built businesses addresses a common gap that many veteran entrepreneurs face when transitioning from military service to business ownership.

Veterans interested in this program should verify all details directly with Warrior Rising, as the VA shares this information without endorsing specific organizations or programs. The summer session application is currently open, and given the competitive nature of the program and limited slots, veterans with established business concepts should consider applying promptly. Those earlier in their entrepreneurial journey may want to explore Warrior Rising's foundational programs first, as Warrior University is specifically designed for those ready to move from traction to capital rather than those just starting out with business fundamentals.