Nashville Plants A Flag For Veteran Entrepreneurship

Mayor Barry, Senator Green, And EC Join Forces With Bunker Labs Nashville, Backed By Comcast, To Launch America’s Next Greatest Generation Of Military Entrepreneurs

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (February 24th, 2016) ­­ Nashville’s veteran entrepreneurs have a new home with the addition of Bunker Labs and their strategic partnership with the Nashville Entrepreneur Center (EC) and their inaugural presenting sponsor Comcast.

Bunker Labs is a national program built by veteran entrepreneurs for veteran entrepreneurs. Bunker Labs targets existing veteran owned startups and aspiring entrepreneurs, and leverages its six fully operational innovation labs across the nation to deploy a powerful professional network in order to quickly scale veteran led ventures.

Bunker Labs Nashville was cofounded by U.S. Marine Blake Hogan, entrepreneur and cofounder of the Bunker Labs Austin location. Hogan also serves as the Director of Strategic Partnerships for the Nashville Entrepreneur Center. He is joined by cofounder U.S. Army Captain Daniel Berry. Together, they strive to serve their fellow veterans and accelerate the entrepreneurial growth of America’s next greatest generation.

Bunker Labs Nashville is proud to be backed by its first presenting sponsor Comcast. Comcast was also the first national Bunker Labs partner. Hogan stated, “Comcast is a natural fit because it was founded by US Navy Veteran and greatest generation member Ralph J. Roberts. Comcast continues to invest in innovation and entrepreneurship in Nashville and across the country, and we are honored to be working together.”

Comcast is honored to be the inaugural and presenting sponsor for Bunker Labs Nashville,” said Andy Macke, Vice President of External Affairs, Comcast. “From local partnerships, employee resource groups and our commitment to 10,000 military hires, Comcast is dedicated to serving the heroes that have served our country.”

Bunker Labs Nashville has partnered with the Nashville Entrepreneur Center to carry out a broader veteran entrepreneurship initiative throughout Middle Tennessee.  “What better place to create a hub for veteran entrepreneurs then at the EC, a thriving community of risk takers and innovators,” said Hogan.

The partnership will include year-round programming with a monthly Veteran Entrepreneur happy hour to occur every third Thursday from 7 to 9 pm at the Entrepreneur Center.  In addition, Bunker Labs Nashville will begin the roll out for their 14-week cohort, the “Bunker BrainTrust.”  Applications are now open and will close on March 11.  The cohort will commence at the Entrepreneur Center on April 7 and wrap up on July 14.

Together, Bunker Labs Nashville, with the EC, will work to aggregate resources and accelerate veteran companies. Stuart McWhorter, the Entrepreneur Center’s CEO, said, “Middle Tennessee’s veterans continue to develop creative and impactful opportunities in an effort to keep serving even after they have taken off the uniform. The Entrepreneur Center wants to do everything we can to scale these exciting ventures. I look forward to working with Bunker Labs Nashville to continue showcasing the talents of our veteran population.”

“The Entrepreneur Center is the perfect launch pad to deploy a Bunker Labs location due to its proximity to Fort Campbell, growing entrepreneurial culture, and overwhelming support of our nation’s veterans. It is an honor to call Nashville home and we look forward to supporting the launch of America’s next greatest generation,” Hogan added.