Program will provide 43 military-connected executives with education, networking and mentorship focused on business growth

Today, Bunker Labs and JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking announced the 43 business leaders selected to participate in the inaugural CEOcircle program, a twelve-month training program tailored to help mid-size, military-connected companies accelerate growth.

The 43 participants were determined through a rigorous evaluation process that weighed historical and projected growth, business strategy and desire for mentorship. The selected businesses vary in size, with 2021 projected revenue ranging from $1.5 to $105 million and averaging $13.9 million, and represent a diverse array of industries including healthcare, marketing, data and information technology, staffing and recruitment and restaurants.

“JPMorgan Chase’s longstanding partnership with Bunker Labs began with a shared goal: find new ways to support veteran entrepreneurs and help them overcome systemic obstacles to business and professional growth,” said Alex McKindra, Managing Director at JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking and U.S. Air Force Veteran. “We’re bringing the firm’s resources to bear to help mid-size, military-connected businesses achieve new heights. Congratulations to the outstanding leaders selected, and welcome to the inaugural CEOcircle program.”

Co-founded by Bunker Labs and JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking, the twelve-month program provides executives with the opportunity to advance their businesses by participating in quarterly in-person fly-in forums, monthly peer-to-peer networking meetings, and a ten-week mentorship program with JPMorgan Chase. The first fly-in forum will be held on November 2 in Washington, D.C. with speakers including Jamie Dimon, Chairman & CEO of JPMorgan Chase & Co.

“JPMorgan Chase has been a critical supporter of Bunker Labs since our founding, and has made impactful investments in the veteran and military family community. We're proud to expand our partnership to include support for growth-stage entrepreneurs with our CEOcircle program,” said Blake Hogan, CEO of Bunker Labs.

Since its founding in 2014, Bunker Labs and JPMorgan Chase have fostered an enduring relationship through their shared goal of empowering veteran-owned businesses. In 2019, JPMorgan Chase committed $3 million to help Bunker Labs establish chapters in all 50 states, and in 2016 committed $1.5 million to sponsor the Bunker Builds America tour.

Since establishing the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs in 2011, JPMorgan Chase has hired more than 16,000 veterans and facilitated more than 680,000 veteran hires through the Veteran Jobs Mission coalition; committed more than $8 million to support veteran-owned small businesses; donated more than 1,000 mortgage-free homes to military families; and enrolled nearly 30,000 veterans and military spouses in the Onward to Opportunity program, a free career training, certification and employment course operated through the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University, which was co-founded and is supported by JPMorgan Chase.

Learn more at www.jpmorganchase.com/veterans.

Learn more about the CEOcircle program and view the 2021 participants at https://bunkerlabs.org/ceo-circle/.

About Bunker Labs

Bunker Labs is a national 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with the mission of ensuring that the military- connected community has the network, tools, and opportunities they need to start successful ventures. We accomplish our mission by inspiring members of the military community to see their entrepreneurial potential. We equip our program participants with practical tools, insights, experts, and resources to accelerate their success, and we connect entrepreneurs with a robust community and diverse, relevant networks.

About JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking is a business of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM), a leading global financial services firm with assets of $3.8 trillion and operations worldwide. Through its Middle Market Banking & Specialized Industries, Corporate Client Banking & Specialized Industries and Commercial Real Estate businesses, Commercial Banking serves emerging startups to midsize businesses and large corporations as well as government entities, not-for-profit organizations, and commercial real estate investors, developers and owners. Clients are supported through every stage of growth with specialized industry expertise and tailored financial solutions including credit and financing, treasury and payment services, international banking and more. Information about JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking is available at www.jpmorganchase.com/commercial.

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