Program Goal:
The goal of the Veteran Entrepreneurial Training Grant Program (VET-GP) is to provide Wisconsin's veteran entrepreneurs either living in or operating out of Waupaca County with post-COVID related business development, disaster preparedness, sustainability planning, and grant funding. The program offers but does not require use of the Small Business Development Center technical assistance services, including small business training, business plan development, and business resiliency planning whether you are just getting started or looking for ways to improve your business.

Program Description:
The VET-GP program increases opportunities for Veteran entrepreneurs across Waupaca County utilizing business training and technical assistance provided by the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point’s Entrepreneurial Training Program (ETP). With the added benefit of offering, but not requiring support services through the Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (SBDC), U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the University of Wisconsin System, and the UW Systems Institute for Business and Entrepreneurship. VET-GP applications will receive a $5,000 business grant upon successful completion of the established Virtual Only component of the Entrepreneurial Training Program (ETP). Access more information about the ETP at this LINK!

Eligibility, Application, and Award Process:
VET-GP utilizes a competitive application process. Submit your application by completing the web-form below. The ETP is offered twice per year, once in the spring and once in the fall. The Spring cohort begins in February and the Fall cohort beings in September. To be considered for the spring cohort you must complete application by December 31, annually. Applicants for the spring cohort will be notified of acceptance by January 15, annually. To be considered for the fall cohort you must complete application by July 31, annually. Applicants for the fall cohort will be notified of acceptance by August 15, annually.

Eligible applicants must:

Be a current service member, honorably discharged veteran, or current/surviving spouse of service member/veteran and be a
Current resident of or owner/operator of a business located in Waupaca County and
Complete application below supplying the required info/documentation regarding business

Successful applicants must provide information on their startup or existing business and show the capacity to initiate or expand their business in Waupaca County. The VET-GP selection committee weighs the following information heavily:

The existing or startup business history and ownership
Applicant's relevant background and experience in support of business venture
Applicant's ability to dedicate the necessary time to successfully complete the Virtual ETP
Proposed use of grant funds and related history of financial responsibility

Funding Source and Collaboration:
The VET-GP is a program sponsored by the Waupaca County Veteran Services Office with funding approved by the Waupaca County Board of Supervisors. The Waupaca County Economic Development Corporation administers VET-GP. Completion of the virtual only component of the UWSP Entrepreneurial Training Program is required. Support services including additional training and technical assistance is offered by, but not required as a condition of, the VET-GP program by the UWSP Small Business Development Center located in Stevens Point.

Activities and Outcomes:
VET-GP plans to assist approximately 26 Waupaca County based Veteran Entrepreneurs with startup and early-stage businesses over a three-year period. VET-GP will accomplish this at a rate of about 7-8 entrepreneurs each year. Program outcomes include retention, expansion, and creation of 26 businesses and at least 50 associated jobs. Further, a key objective of VET-GP includes securing funding and support to sustain this program beyond the initial three-year period.

Performance Reporting:
Applicants selected for the program will provide annual status reports to the Waupaca County Economic Development Corporation for three years. The report will consist of a report including business status, jobs created, annual business income. Further, veteran business owners must apply for the Wisconsin “Veteran Owned Business Certification” found at this LINK.

Waupaca County VET-GP Application Form

Name of Applicant *

Applicant is?

I am applying as a current service-member

I am applying as the spouse of a current service member

I am applying as the veteran

I am applying as the current spouse of the veteran

I am applying as the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran

Address of Applicant *

Address of Business *

Phone Number of Applicant *

E-mail Address of Applicant *

Date of Birth of Applicant (mm/dd/yyyy) *

Social Security Number of Applicant (xxx-xx-xxxx) *

Social Security Number of Veteran (xxx-xx-xxxx) *

Veteran's Character of Service as it Appears on DD214 or Equivalent Discharge Document

HONORABLE

GENERAL

GENERAL UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS

BAD CONDUCT

DISHONORABLE

Other

Name of Business*

WI Business Registration Number?*

How is your business structured?

C Corporation

S Corporation

Limited Liability Company

Sole Proprietorship

Not Determined

Other

Briefly describe your business including the history of your business*

Number of Employees?*

Most Recent Annual Gross Income?*

What do you want to learn during this training program?*

What is the goal for your business in 5 years?*

Describe how you plan to use the VET-GP funds for your business*

Brief financial history

The company, any officer, subsidiary, or affiliate was involved in a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding

The company, any officer, subsidiary, or affiliate was or is involved in any lawsuit

No adverse financial or legal history related to this business or its operators

Other

Explain any adverse financial or legal history related to this business or operates as identified above*

Applicant DD214 may be uploaded here

By selecting the "I Accept" box, you are signing this Agreement electronically. You agree your electronic signature is the legal equivalent of your manual/handwritten signature on this Application/Agreement. By selecting "I Accept" using any device, means or action, you consent to the legally binding terms and conditions of this Application/Agreement. You further agree that your signature on this document (hereafter referred to as your "E-Signature") is as valid as if you signed the document in writing. You also agree that no certification authority or other third party verification is necessary to validate your E-Signature, and that the lack of such certification or third party verification will not in any way affect the enforceability of your E-Signature or any resulting agreement between you and VET-GP. You are also confirming that you are the applicant authorized to submit this Application and enter into this Agreement. You further agree that each use of your personal email equates to your E-Signature and constitutes your agreement to be bound by the terms and conditions of these Disclosures and Agreement as they exist on the date of your E-Signature on this form.*

I Accept

***After successful submission of the form, you will receive an e-mail confirming receipt of the completed form. If you do not receive a confirmation e-mail within one business day, please contact veterans@co.waupaca.wi.us to request assistance in completing this form.***

For More Information:

Jesse Cuff, Veteran Services Officer
Waupaca County Veteran Services Office
811 Harding St, Waupaca, WI 54981
(715)-258-6475
veterans@co.waupaca.wi.us

Jeff Mikorski, Executive Director
Waupaca County Economic Development Office
P.O. Box 52, New London, WI 54961
(920)-982-1582
wcedc@charter.net

Zia Yang
Outreach Specialist
Small Business Development Center at UW-Stevens Point
UW-Stevens Point Continuing Education
2100 Main Street, Room 032 Stevens Point, WI 54481
(715)-346-3861
zyang@uwsp.edu

The Wisconsin SBDC Network is a proud part of the Institute of Business and Entrepreneurship in the UW-System. Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Please contact the SBDC at 715-346-3838 or uwspce-bus@uwsp.edu.