VentureVets
Building Indiana’s Veteran Entrepreneurship Ecosystem: When Marine veteran Nathan Zaugg returned from Iraq in 2005, he spent over a decade searching for the right career path before discovering his passion for construction entrepreneurship. In 2017, he and his wife Courtney launched their Indianapolis-based construction business. Soon after, fellow veterans began calling with the same questions: “How do we get started? Where do we find the right resources?”
Recognizing a systemic gap in entrepreneurial support for transitioning service members, the Zauggs began leading the Bunker Labs Indianapolis chapter, running cohort-based accelerators for veteran founders. The results revealed an opportunity: Indiana could become a national hub for veteran entrepreneurship with the right infrastructure.
A Dual-Structure Business Model: In 2022, they launched VentureVets. Now, they have built a sustainable dual-structure approach:
-501(c)(3) Accelerator: Provides 12-week sector-focused programs in construction tech, military spouse-enabled tech, and real estate technology
-Investment Fund (LLC): Co-invests in top graduates, with returns funding future cohorts
Measurable Indiana Impact: Since its inception, VentureVets has generated significant economic activity:
-75+ alumni companies supported
-$5M+ in capital raised by Indiana-based veteran founders
-$40K+ in direct non-dilutive capital deployed
-150+ entrepreneurs engaged in the ecosystem
-Strategic partnerships with Elevate Ventures, Indiana Economic Development Corporation, Comcast, and NSF I-Corps
Why Indiana? Indiana’s combination of advanced manufacturing, construction growth, and PropTech innovation creates ideal conditions for veteran-led ventures. VentureVets leverages these sector strengths while addressing workforce development—veteran founders hiring veteran talent—contributing to Indiana’s broader economic competitiveness.
Our 2026-27 expansion will scale three vertical accelerators, positioning Indiana as the national leader in veteran entrepreneurship infrastructure.
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