UConn’s Zacchea Shares Expertise with U.S. Small Business Administration

Michael Zacchea, the founder and director of the UConn Entrepreneur Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV), was re-nominated and elected to the Chair of the Advisory Committee on Veterans Business Affairs for the Small Business Administration.

The Advisory Committee has statutory authority to advise the government officials on veteran business affairs. There are approximately 2.5 million veteran-owned businesses in the United States, accounting for $1.2 trillion in gross domestic product and employing 5 million people.

The UConn EBV, an intensive 10-day program for veterans interested in starting their own businesses, was founded in 2010. To date 177 veterans have graduated from the program and created 142 businesses. Combined, they have produced more than $38 million in gross revenues and created more than 300 jobs.

Because of this program and other efforts, UConn and the School of Business have been recognized for four consecutive years by The Military Times as among the most “Vet Friendly” universities in the nation.