Raleigh, N.C., March 14, 2019 – Bunker Labs and the Brian Hamilton Foundation announced their partnership today, which will help ease the transition from military to civilian life for veterans looking to become entrepreneurs in North Carolina. The organizations recently collaborated on the launch of Bunker Labs’ new chapter in Wilmington, N.C.
With the support of the NC IDEA Foundation, Bunker Labs will launch several new chapters across the state. The Brian Hamilton Foundation will be joining this effort by supporting the launch of each new chapter. These launch events will lay the foundation for monthly meet-ups where the Bunker Labs entrepreneur community — veterans, military spouses, and civilians alike — can network with subject matter experts, investors, thought leaders, and more, creating a robust environment for growth and development.
“Many cities across North Carolina have all of the ingredients to become some of the top veteran entrepreneur communities in the country,” said Dean Bundschu, Bunker Labs Atlantic Regional Director. “We are excited to partner with organizations like the Brian Hamilton Foundation, whose missions align with ours as we both seek to help veterans and military spouses launch and grow successful businesses.”
Brain Hamilton will be joining Bunker Labs at their third annual Muster RDU event today, Thursday, March 14, at the MetLife GTO in Cary, N.C. As a presenting keynote, Brian will speak about his journey as the co-founder of Sageworks (sold in 2018) and founder of the Brian Hamilton Foundation, an organization that aims to make entrepreneurship more accessible through programs such as Inmates to Entrepreneurs and initiatives focused on military transition readiness, youth entrepreneurship, and support for main street businesses.
“The qualities that make great servicemen and women – good decision-making, discipline, confidence, and the willingness to take calculated risks – are the same qualities that make successful entrepreneurs,” noted Brian Hamilton, Founder of the Brian Hamilton Foundation. “Veterans have served the country. As leaders, we need to serve them.”
North Carolina is home to about 683,221 veterans, which is 9 percent of the state’s adult civilian population. The state ranks 8th in the nation by total number of veteran residents. Overall, about 1 in 10 of North Carolina’s small firms are owned by veterans. Together, Bunker Labs and the Brian Hamilton Foundation are committed to ensuring that military veterans can find a community, and pursue their dreams, regardless of the community they come from or the community to which they return.
About Bunker Labs
Bunker Labs is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Chicago, with chapters in 25+ cities, built by military veteran entrepreneurs to empower other military veterans to start and grow businesses. Through local chapters organized in cities across the U.S., Bunker Labs provides educational programming, mentors, events, and thriving local networks to help military veterans succeed and thrive as entrepreneurs and innovators. To learn more visit www.bunkerlabs.org.
About The Brian Hamilton Foundation
The Brian Hamilton Foundation was established with one principle in mind: with the right resources and support, anyone can be a successful entrepreneur. We are helping youth, veterans, and other underserved populations start and run their own businesses. By doing this, our hope is to help people take part in the American dream and climb the social and economic ladder. To learn more, visit www.brianhamilton.org.
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Media Contacts:
Bunker Labs
Dean Bundschu
(919) 656-4434
dean.bundschu@bunkerlabs.org
Brian Hamilton Foundation
Michelle Fishburne
(919) 247-0384
michellef@brianhamilton.org
