Military Community Entrepreneurs Win Over $100,000 in Grants and Prizes at the StreetShares Foundation Military Entrepreneurship Challenge

RESTON, Va., Dec. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The StreetShares Foundation, Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream, Holland & Knight LLP, and Synergy Learning Institute partnered to award over $100,000 in support to three veteran entrepreneurs at the Humble Alpha Veteran Empowerment business accelerator in Houston, TX on November 7, 2021. Three veteran entrepreneurs pitched live through the StreetShares Foundation's Military Entrepreneur Challenge grant program.

"Military veteran entrepreneurship can reshape America. That's why since 2016 we've provided 100% free business coaching and grants to military veteran and military-spouse entrepreneurs" said StreetShares Foundation Founder and Chairman, Mark L. Rockefeller, an Iraq War Veteran and serial entrepreneur. "This cycle of the Military Entrepreneur Challenge was our biggest ever. We were joined by generous donors of both cash and in-kind services creating a pool of over $100,000."

Over 160 military veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs from all over the country applied for the Military Entrepreneur Challenge, a process which began in August. StreetShares' internal panel narrowed the applications down to 17 finalists. The finalists then competed for public votes on the StreetShares Foundation website with over 10,000 Americans voting for their favorite entrepreneur. The three entrepreneurs with the highest vote count were invited to pitch live in Houston. The live audience of military community entrepreneurs voted to determine the winners.

In first place, Wendy Way, a military veteran, military spouse, and co-founder of LOGSA Mil Moves, a military packing service company, received a $15,000 grant from the StreetShares Foundation and Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream program, $30,000 in in-kind legal services from Holland & Knight LLP, and $10,000 in educational scholarships from Synergy Learning Institute.

Second place went to Sherman Williams, veteran and founder of Body Water, a cosmetic health beverage available in grocery stores across the country. Williams received a $6,000 grant, $15,000 in in-kind legal services and a $5,000 educational scholarships.

Garth Massey, veteran and founder of CommandReady, an executive leadership training company, was award third place along with a $4,000 grant, $15,000 in in-kind legal services and a $3,000 educational scholarship.

The StreetShares Foundation and Samuel Adams have been working together to provide educational opportunities, coaching, mentoring, networking events, and access to capital to military-affiliated entrepreneurs. "Brewing the American Dream is on a mission to empower and support veteran entrepreneurs and we couldn't be prouder to call the StreetShares Foundation our partner on this journey," said Jennifer Glanville, Director of Partnerships and Brewer at Samuel Adams. "Our partnership of over four years, and shared vision, has enabled us to help so many U.S. Military veterans achieve their entrepreneurial dreams and I cannot wait for this story to continue to unfold."

To learn more about the StreetShares Foundation, and to submit your application for an upcoming Military Entrepreneur Challenge, please visit our website, StreetSharesFoundation.org

About the StreetShares Foundation
The StreetShares Foundation was launched in 2016 on Veterans Day with the mission to inspire, educate, and support United States Military community entrepreneurs and produce measurable social outcomes through entrepreneurship. The StreetShares Foundation provides access to capital opportunities along with educational content, mentoring, entrepreneurship events and inspiration. Learn more at StreetSharesFoundation.org.

About Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream
Jim Koch started Samuel Adams in his kitchen in 1984 when imported and domestic beer were the only option for beer lovers. In his pursuit of a better beer, he ignited a similar revolution, the craft beer movement, inspiring a whole new category that's produced millions of jobs in communities from coast-to-coast. In the wake of his success, and with a passion for supporting entrepreneurs who are in the place where he once found himself, Jim launched Brewing the American Dream - a philanthropic program that embodies Sam Adams' pursuit of better.

Media Contact

StreetShares Foundation, StreetShares Foundation, Inc., 1 5713252966, [email protected]

SOURCE StreetShares Foundation, Inc.