AppRiver LLC, the hosted security and productivity solution provider with U.S. headquarters in Gulf Breeze, Fla., has accepted the first batch of enrollees in its Veteran-to-Entrepreneur (V2E) program.
The new initiative, which seeks to help former members of the military launch IT businesses, allows qualified vets to collect a 100 percent refund on revenue earned through AppRiver during a limited period.
Members also receive free training and business advice, assistance setting up a customer landing page, and access to AppRiver’s customized email marketing campaign tool and library of co-branded collateral.
“Many IT administrators have ambitions to open their own consulting practices, leveraging their years of experience and business contacts. Veterans trained in the information technology specialties have those same skills—and many others—that can help them transition into successful business owners,” said AppRiver channel manager and former Navy air crewman Justin Gilbert in a blog post. “Our entrepreneur start-up program provides veterans with the head-start they’ll need to go into business and succeed in the competitive technology marketplace.”
To qualify for the program, veterans must own an over 50 percent stake in a VAR, MSP, or ISV that’s either on the drawing board or within one year of incorporation. Upon acceptance, those businesses become referral agents in AppRiver’s partner program. Rather than receive a 10 percent sales commission like other agents, however, V2E members get a full refund for all revenue up to $5,000 during their first six months in the program.
Once they reach that limit or have been in the program six months, veterans can either continue serving as referral agents and earn standard commissions or apply to become a reseller and receive discounted pricing.
“The partnering opportunity, which AppRiver presents to military veterans, is an excellent path for transitioning skills perfected on active duty into a viable business,” said AppRiver partner and Navy veteran Bob David, president of Pensacola, Fla.-based IT provider Technical Software Services Inc., in the blog post. “One of the biggest challenges we faced as a start-up was in making the transition into the business community and acquiring the initial customer base that would allow us to survive. The veteran partnership program that AppRiver is offering will provide the initial stream of recurring revenue that is essential to success during the early stages of a start-up company.”
V2E will be available for a limited time only, but has no pre-announced expiration date.
