NYC Boss Up Veterans

If you are an entrepreneur who is a Veteran, military spouse, or Gold Star Family member who would like to be notified when applications are next open, please share your contact information.

Eligibility, Criteria, and Timeline

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

  1. Own a business that is located in or operates within the 5 boroughs of NYC

  2. Be at least 18 years of age on November 1, 2025

AND be

  1. A veteran of the US military; or 

  2. A child, sibling, spouse, or parent of a Gold Star Family; or

  3. A military spouse

Judges will consider winners in three categories: 

  1. Startup: Have taken steps to start a business and are in the early stages of launching

  2. Early stage: 1 - 3 years of operating experience and still growing

  3. Well-established: a successful business ready to advance to the next level

Note: While judges will consider applicants in each of these categories, selections will be made on the strength of the applications and may not be evenly distributed across all three categories. 

Dates and Deadlines

Applications open: July 1, 2025

Applications close: September 15, 2025

Pitch competition selection: October 4, 2025

Winners selected: November 2025