Starting your own business is challenging and no amount of business school training can prepare you for it. But what if your training came from preparing to defend your country instead? That’s the position military veteran Sean McIntosh found himself in when he started his own business.
After 13 years of active duty as a Navy SEAL, McIntosh moved from San Diego, CA to Kansas City to start his own business. Just like many new business owners, he struggled to find mentors and banks willing to help him.
“All entrepreneurs face challenges, but I realized veterans face unique obstacles after separating from active duty,” said McIntosh. “I wanted to provide them with opportunities that weren’t easily accessible when I started my business.”
In 2014, McIntosh met Navy veteran Todd Connor, the founder and CEO of Bunker Labs. The organization is a national not-for-profit organization with a focus on providing veteran entrepreneurs with mentoring, education, and networking opportunities.
After seeing what the organization was doing in other cities, McIntosh knew Kansas City would be a perfect fit and founded Bunker Labs KC. In fact, Kansas City has a rich history of military veteran entrepreneurs, including Ewing Kauffman, Henry Bloch, and Jerry Reece.
“Our goal is to identify the next generation of successful veteran entrepreneurs in our city,” said McIntosh. “We want to help them grow and create new jobs in Kansas City.”
Bunker Labs is currently accepting applications for their inaugural Entrepreneurial Program for Innovation and Collaboration (EPIC). This is an opportunity for veteran-led start-up companies to take part in a 14-week training program, test their business concepts, and have access to industry mentors.
“We are visiting military bases in our region to get the word out that Kansas City is a great place for veterans to start a business,” said McIntosh. “There are a wealth of talented people here who are willing to help them, and we want to attract veteran-led companies to Kansas City.”
In the last two years, Bunker Labs has collaborated with hundreds of individuals through their monthly events, mentoring partnerships, and networking opportunities. McIntosh credits the EDC as a key partner in helping Bunker Labs succeed.
“Without the support of the EDC, we wouldn’t be where we are today,” said McIntosh. “They are fantastic advocates, and have helped us open doors that many entrepreneurs could never do on their own.”
McIntosh hopes to continue to assist veterans to reach their dreams of owning a business, and he says building strategic partnerships is essential.
“I know first-hand how hard it is for entrepreneurs to gain access to the resources they need,” said McIntosh. “It’s rewarding when we can help veterans find the tools they need to grow a successful business here in Kansas City.”
To learn how you can partner with Bunker Labs, visit their website or e-mail Sean McIntosh sean.mcintosh@bunkerlabs.org