Jones School of Business To Host Veterans Business Battle

The Rice University – Jones Graduate School of Business will welcome Marcus Luttrell, decorated veteran and author, at a banquet celebrating the Houston Veterans Business Battle.

The Entrepreneurs’ Organization’s Houston Veterans Business Battle is a business plan competition for veterans to win investment capital for their businesses. In just two years, the organization has awarded more than $1.7 million in investment offers to finalists. Rice University is a sponsor and host for the competition, partnering with the U.S. Small Business Association, Amegy Bank and the City of Houston to provide opportunities for veteran-owned start-ups and existing businesses.

The Veterans Business Battle was established in 2015 by Rice University’s Veterans in Business Association and the Houston chapter of Entrepreneurs’ Organization. The competition aims to encourage entrepreneurship among veterans and give back to veterans in the business community.

On February 25, following the competition, a banquet will be held at Rice University to recognize winners of the competition. Furthermore, a portion of proceeds raised from the dinner will go to the Rice University Veterans in Business Association Military Scholars Program, a scholarship program offered to veteran MBA students at Rice.

This year’s banquet will also feature keynote speaker Marcus Luttrell, philanthropist, veteran and author of Lone Survivor, a best-seller which tells the story of Luttrell’s experience as a member of the U.S. Navy SEALs and Operation Red Wings in Iraq. Luttrell is the founder of the Lone Survivor Foundation, which aids wounded veterans and their families.

According to Mark Martin, Chairman of the Veterans Business Battle, Luttrell’s story of survival—and his pursuit of entrepreneurship after the military—is inspiring to many.

“Veterans just starting out in the business world can learn much from his experience,” he said.

 

regions: Houston

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