JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking and Syracuse University’s D’Aniello IVMF Announce New Cohort of Veteran and Military-Spouse Led Startups for CEOcircle Program

71 entrepreneurs will gain access to resources and networking to grow and scale their companies

Today, Syracuse University’s D’Aniello Institute for Veteran & Military Families (IVMF) and JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking announced the new cohort of 71 business leaders selected for CEOcircle, a year-long peer accountability training program tailored to help mid-size veteran and military spouse executives scale their businesses.

Since launching their joint effort to support veteran and military spouse founders in 2021, JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking and the IVMF have guided more than 173 business owners through CEOcircle, helping them gain access to growth opportunities, mentorship and a robust network of peers as they navigate their business journeys. Over the last three years, more than 70% of CEOcircle participants reported gaining new business opportunities from the program.

“Veteran and military-spouse entrepreneurs are an important driver of the American economy,” said Terry Hill, Co-Head of Emerging Middle Market and Co-Head of Veteran Initiatives, JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking. “We are proud to support CEOcircle and look forward to seeing the incredible impact these leaders make.”

Of the 2025 CEOcircle cohort, 90% are veterans and 12% are military spouses (there is overlap of both demographics.) The companies span industries including technology, healthcare, consumer packaged goods and manufacturing and have an average annual revenue of $20 million reported in 2023.

“This program provides advocacy, training and phenomenal networks for veteran and spouse entrepreneurs,” says retired U.S. Army Colonel Irene Glaeser, Chief Executive Officer of Spahr Solutions Group, LLC and a 2024 CEOcircle cohort member. “We’re accountable to each other, which is something veterans know a lot about: milestones and checking in with our buddies.”

This year, 20 CEOcircle alumni have volunteered to be facilitators to give back to the veteran business community. The alumni facilitators will go through training provided by IVMF and seven will be selected to lead small group sessions to help build connections and encourage group problem solving.

“Through our research at the IVMF, we know that a strong network of support is paramount for veteran entrepreneurs,” says Misty Fox, IVMF’s Director of Entrepreneurship and Small Business programs. “CEOcircle offers veteran entrepreneurs an incredible opportunity to meet, speak with, and network with other success-driven veterans in the entrepreneurship ecosystem, and we’re looking forward to the pending success these veterans will have in scaling their businesses after they've graduated."

The full list of companies selected to participate in the 2025 CEOcircle cohort is available on IVMF’s website. Companies interested in participating in the next CEOcircle can learn more and apply here.

Learn more about how JPMorgan Chase supports military members, veterans and their families here as well as the firm’s commitment to supporting veteran business owners here.

About IVMF

Syracuse University’s D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) was founded in 2011, as a partnership between Syracuse University and JPMorgan Chase & Co. Headquartered on the campus of Syracuse University and located in the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building at the Syracuse University National Veterans Resource Center, the IVMF was founded as higher-education’s first interdisciplinary academic institute singularly focused on advancing the lives of the nation's military, veterans, and their families. The IVMF team designs and delivers class-leading training programs and services to the military-connected community, in support of the transition from military to civilian life and beyond. Each year, more than 20,000 service members, veterans, and family members engage IVMF programs and services, which are provided at no cost to participants. The IVMF’s programs are informed by the Institute’s sustained and robust data collection, research, and policy analysis team and infrastructure. The D'Aniello Institute’s work on behalf of the military-connected community is made possible by gifts and grants from individuals and corporations committed to those who served in America's armed forces and their families. For more information, please visit ivmf.syracuse.edu

About JPMorganChase:

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) is a leading financial services firm based in the United States of America ("U.S."), with operations worldwide. JPMorgan Chase had $4.1 trillion in assets and $341 billion in stockholders' equity as of June 30, 2024. The Firm is a leader in investment banking, financial services for consumers and small businesses, commercial banking, financial transaction processing and asset management. Under the J.P. Morgan and Chase brands, the Firm serves millions of customers in the U.S., and many of the world's most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients globally. Information about JPMorgan Chase & Co. is available at www.jpmorganchase.com.

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