Comcast NBCUniversal and Bunker Labs, a national nonprofit organization for military veteran-led startups, today announced a three-year expansion of its partnership, continuing their mutual support of the military community and veteran-owned businesses.
In June 2015, Comcast NBCUniversal became Bunker Labs’ first National Corporate Sponsor and the Founding Sponsor of its Philadelphia location. The company supports Bunker Labs at many of the organization’s locations, including its headquarters in Chicago and locations in Philadelphia, Nashville, Seattle, Minneapolis, Jacksonville, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.
“Comcast’s commitment to the military community starts with our roots as a veteran startup more than 50 years ago, and we’re excited to expand our work with Bunker Labs as they continue their successful efforts to accelerate veteran and military spouse-owned businesses,” said Carol Eggert, Brigadier General (Retired) and Vice President, Military and Veteran Affairs for Comcast NBCUniversal.
Bunker Labs is a model for a successful multi-city incubator program, having grown to 15 U.S. locations in just over two years. Their model of providing educational programming and developing local networks with events and mentors for startups has successfully prepared more than 350 veterans to create and grow their own businesses.
“Comcast NBCUniversal has been a terrific partner, allowing Bunker Labs to continue focusing on what it does best − inspiring, educating and connecting veterans with the right people and resources to thrive as business leaders,” said Todd Connor, Bunker Labs CEO and Navy veteran. “We look forward to continuing to stand alongside Comcast NBCUniversal as we expand this already successful relationship.”
The Bunker Labs relationship also aligns with Comcast NBCUniversal’s company-wide investment in the next generation of entrepreneurs. Earlier this week, Comcast NBCUniversal announced LIFT Labs for Entrepreneurs, a multi-city program focusing on assisting startups with new innovations in media, entertainment and connectivity.
Comcast NBCUniversal is also committed to hiring 10,000 military community members by the end of 2017, and is well on its way to meeting that goal. The collaboration with Bunker Labs is an extension of that commitment.
Over the next three years, Comcast NBCUniversal teams across the country will work with local Bunker offices in their markets to offer an array of technology solutions and programs to support entrepreneurs. Additionally, local Comcast Business leadership and Entrepreneurial Engagement and Military and Veterans Affairs teams will be involved in Bunker Labs’ “Muster Across America Tour,” which began its 2017 dates in Washington, D.C. on February 23 and will visit 13 other cities before concluding in the San Francisco area on October 26.
