Warrior Rising

Warrior Rising was founded in 2015 by M60 founder, author, and veteran, Jason Van Camp, as a means for providing veterans with the tools to become entrepreneurs and give them new purpose following their military service. Ryan Miller and Joe Hilton, both current members of the board at Warrior Rising, were both active in the founding of the organization as well. Warrior Rising was founded in Salt Lake City and initially operated only regionally; however, it now has members in all states.

Warrior Rising functions as a support community and network, in addition to providing mentoring, training, and financial backing to veteran entrepreneurs, or "vetrepreneurs" as they are referred to by the Warrior Rising team. The organization hosts a variety of events, including regional events within the Warrior Rising Platoons and larger public events, such as their virtual fundraising even Victory For Vets.

Their first year of business, the organization helped six veterans with economic assistance and guidance to establish their own companies. The second Warrior Rising cohort consisted of ten veterans. Since its founding, the organization has grown to provide thousands of veterans with financial support, mentorship, and training. In 2019, Van Camp and the Warrior Rising team raised nearly $1 million for 1,016 veterans.

Warrior Rising is a 501(c)(3) organization, with an IRS ruling year of 2015, and donations are tax-deductible.

Warrior Rising provides business education through its online course, "Warrior Academy." The class focuses on the necessary steps and elements in starting a business and is meant to also help veterans to identify and tap into their preexisting skill set. After completing the course, veterans are paired with a mentor and develop a solid business plan. Following this, they are guided through the processes of accumulating the funding they need, whether through grants, loans or (more commonly) by means of investment opportunities. The final step in the Warrior Rising program is to connect veterans with peers, fellow veterans, and entrepreneurs in their area, so the participants have an ongoing support network available.

Warrior Rising is led by its founder and executive director Jason Van Camp. Before starting Warrior Rising, and directly following his military service, Van Camp founded Mission Six Zero (M60), a leadership consulting firm. At M60, he hired and worked with veterans as well so this was in some ways the inspiration for Warrior Rising. Van Camp is also the author of Deliberate Discomfort: How U.S. Special Operations Forces Overcome Fear and Dare to Win by Getting Comfortable Being Uncomfortable, released February 18, 2020.

Other board members at Warrior Rising include fellow founders Ryan Miller; Joe Hilton; chair of the board, Aliahu Bey; and board members Luke Saari, Micheal McCloud, Heather Kahlert, Mike Crumlin, Kenneth Brenneman, Jakob Norman, Reggie Hall, and Tyrell Grey. Most board members are veterans or are still active in the US Military.

The executive team, responsible for the business side of things, is led by chief of staff Ken Vennera. The advisory board works without compensation and is made up of business leaders, military leaders, and other non-profit and civic leaders.