San Diego, CA – The San Diego SBDC joins the Kaufman Foundation to deliver Kauffman FastTrac to U.S. military veterans interested in starting and growing their own companies online courses starting in June. The FastTrac® NewVenture™ course, developed by Kauffman FastTrac, is designed to help veterans transition into the civilian workforce by equipping aspiring entrepreneurs with the knowledge to launch a business. The course, a $700 value, is being offered free of charge to veterans.

Media contact:
Elizabeth Steinberg, Kauffman FastTrac
(816) 932-1136​
esteinberg@kauffman.org

The veteran courses are made possible through a grant recently awarded Kauffman FastTrac to help equip veterans with the skills they need to re-enter the workforce. The grant includes training, implementation and development of supplemental course materials specific to veterans’ needs. FastTrac-certified instructors, who are both veterans and experienced entrepreneurs, will teach the courses.

The San Diego course is offered in addition to classes being held in cities across the United States, most are being delivered face-to-face in classroom settings in Dover, Del.; Fayetteville, N.C.; Houston; Jacksonville, N.C.; Kansas City, Mo.; San Diego; and Washington, while some are online. Each course, including those online, is 10 weeks in duration with one session per week.

The course will offer guidance in starting a successful business. Curriculum will include how to align new business ideas with marketplace realities, find target markets and competitive advantages, develop brands and will offer time to network with likeminded entrepreneurs and learn fundamental steps to running and growing a business.

“Through this initiative, Accenture and Kauffman FastTrac are equipping veterans with the skills to create their own jobs through entrepreneurship,” said Alana Muller, president of Kauffman FastTrac.“The skills and experience our veterans possess – leadership attributes as well as the ability to manage risk and build teams – are strong assets to create and build businesses.”
For more information about the FastTrac Veterans Initiative, please visit www.fasttrac.org/veterans.

Alex Galicia, an Iraq War Veteran, will serve as instructor for the San Diego program starting in August. Galicia, who took over the family plumbing business in 2005 and is now the CEO of BPI Plumbing, has plenty of experience.  He continues to serve as a Commissioned Officer (Major) in the Army National Guard and has received various degrees and trainings in business. Galicia has discovered how to create a successful and strategic business. “I find a lot of satisfaction in instructing other veterans on how to become successful in their business endeavors,” he said.

After the completion of the FastTrac® NewVentureTM for the Veteran Entrepreneur program, the San Diego and Imperial SBDC Network will continue to assist graduates through no cost consulting services in business areas such as finance, marketing, procurement, management, and much more.

About Kauffman FastTrac®

Kauffman FastTrac is the leading provider of learning curricula that equip aspiring and existing entrepreneurs with the business skills and insights, tools, resources, and network to start and grow successful businesses.  Kauffman FastTrac was created by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the largest foundation in the United States devoted to entrepreneurship. For more information about Kauffman FastTrac, visit www.fasttrac.org and follow the organization on Twitter at @fasttrac, like it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kauffmanfasttrac and connect on LinkedIn at www.fasttrac.org/linkedin.

About the San Diego and Imperial SBDC Network:

Of the San Diego & Imperial SBDC Network is to provide superior business consulting and education that results in entrepreneurial success and economic growth and prosperity for California. Over the last five years the Network has assisted more than 12,000 businesses. Under the guidance of professional advisers, clients have generated more than $41 million in capital infusion in the local economy. The SBDC offers guidance on how to reduce the cost of operations, increase sales and market share, financing, money management, exporting internationally, online marketing, patent and technology commercialization, and market research. Consulting is complimentary to businesses that are ready to grow and is available in a private setting at one of four full-service centers and six outreach locations.

To learn more about how to grow your business go to, www.growmybiz.org or call 619.482.6388.