Veterans RV
A business programme for ex-services personnel
Returning to civvy street can be quite a daunting prospect when transitioning from a career in the military.
Yet research shows that veterans are equipped with a unique set of skills and experience which can help them to become successful entrepreneurs.
That’s why we’ve launched Veterans RV, a 12-week pilot programme comprising of informal one to one, group mentoring and training to help veterans explore the idea of becoming their own boss.
Designed by veterans, for veterans, the programme will help participants understand if self-employment is the right fit for them and how to get started.
Applications for the first cohort have now closed. To find out about the next cohort please get in touch.
12 weeks to....
- Evaluate your skills and experience
- Assess your career terrain
- Overcome obstacles to entrepreneurship
- Regain the initiative
- Focus on your goal
- Maximise your potential
- Download Veterans RV Leaflet
Find out more
Attend our free information event to find out more about the programme and whether it’s the right route for you.
Register your interest
Please complete the form to register your interest and a member of our team will be in touch shortly.
Workshops and networking
Veterans RV programme kicks off with a series of workshops and activities. Train with enterprise specialists at the BIC, both 1:1 and alongside other veterans.
- Forces v Civilian life
- Leadership roles in civilian businesses
- Strength in numbers – networking & collaboration
- Personality assessment – identify your skills and interests
- Ideation – discover potential business ideas
Route 1: Your own business
- Pinpoint and develop your entrepreneurial skills
- Focus on your target market
- Develop your route to launch
- Business plan with certainty
Route 2: Work & Side Hustle
- Target opportunities to set up an enterprise while still in work
- Focus on your business plan
- Develop your skills
- Create and deliver your strategic plan
Our motivation behind this project
The North East BIC is a not-for-profit social enterprise which was established to help people set up and run their own businesses.
Since 1994, this has seen us help over 4,000 people realise their dreams of becoming their own boss through the one-to-one support and specialist workshops delivered by our knowledgeable, trusted business advisers.
Yet it wasn’t until we recruited military veterans turned business advisers Anthony and Mark that we realised the barriers facing ex-services personnel when they return to civvy street.
Having both set up their own successful businesses upon leaving the forces, they set about exploring how we could develop a bespoke programme to help others use their vast skills and experience to become successful entrepreneurs, and Veterans RV was born.
Register your interest
Please complete the form to register your interest and a member of our team will be in touch shortly.
Armed Forces Covenant
In 2022 the North East BIC signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant, a promise that those who have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated with fairness and respect. By signing the covenant, the BIC reinforces its commitment to support veterans as a military friendly work environment. The BIC strives to develop new support projects for veterans in line with our values and capacity to encourage veterans to realise their full potential.
