RALEIGH – 2019 is set to be a big year for Bunker Labs.
Since 2016, the national network – which is dedicated to helping new veteran entrepreneurs start their own business — has had a chapter in the Triangle.
Now with the support of the NC IDEA foundation, it’s getting ready to launch five new chapters across the state next year.
The first official chapter will be Bunker Labs Wilmington in February, followed by Charlotte, Fayetteville, Greensboro and Asheville.
“The expanded presence in the state will allow us to reach thousands of veterans through our Bunker Brews events and increase enrollment in our Launch Labs Online program,” said Dean Bundschu, Bunker Labs’ Atlantic regional executive director.
Dean Bundschu
Launch Labs is a foundation program to help veteran entrepreneurs in the “idea phase” of their business to determine if they have a viable business and if they’re cut out to be an entrepreneur.
Additionally, the group is hoping to launch a WeWork Veterans In Residence Program (ViR) at the Durham and Charlotte WeWork locations in the near future. At present, WeWorks and Bunker Labs have a national partnership to bring about the program. However, there is not one yet established in Triangle.
“It just so happens that the WeWork Founder, Adam Neumann, is an Israeli Army, and at the time he wanted to make WeWork the most veteran friendly co-working space in the country,” explained Bundschu.
“So it our partnership was a natural fit, especially as we both grow and expand support for veteran entrepreneurs across the country.”
WeWork Veterans in Residence first incubated in Denver in the summer of 2017 and launched nationally in 10 cities shortly after. It has now scaled to included 15 cities.
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“We do not currently have a ViR program launched yet in Durham, however, we are quickly expanding the initiative across the U.S. to accommodate more tribes,” said WeWork’s southeast senior public affairs manager Alyssa Botts.
The program will directly impact 1500 veteran entrepreneurs over the course of the five-year period since the national launch, she added.
“Whether a veteran or a military family member is starting a new business, looking to build their network, or exploring new venture opportunities – WeWork Veterans in Residence powered by Bunker Labs provides the space, services, and community they need to find their tribe and create their life’s work,” said Botts.
