This CEO group from Bunker Labs PHL wants to help veteran founders level up

For veteran entrepreneurs with more mature needs in terms of advice, programming or resources, local nonprofit Bunker Labs PHL came up with CEOcircle, a year-long programming sprint for 15 to 20 later stage founders.

Now entering its second year, the program from the veteran entrepreneurship nonprofit focuses on veteran entrepreneurs who have hit certain landmarks of maturity:

• Five or more employees
• Revenues of $500,000 or more
• Raised $1 million or more in funding

It’s a continuum, the organization says, of its early-stage focused programming like the now-retired LaunchLab accelerator (which continues as an online platform) or its active Veterans in Residence program, held in partnership with WeWork.

“We have consistently seen the need for and interest in this program because, even though there are many entrepreneurship programs in the region, most are focused around idea-stage or early-stage companies,” said Adam Nelson, the northeast experience director for Bunker Labs. “CEOcircle meets the needs of the numerous veteran-owned post-revenue companies who still need a space to feel supported and ask high-level questions to fellow CEOs.”

The second cohort, which kicked off Wednesday at WeWork’s 1430 Walnut St. location, was made possible by a $10,000 grant from the Lincoln Financial Foundation

“In our second year, our Philadelphia chapter will benefit from lessons learned and resources we have amassed over the past year,” Nelson said.

To be considered for the program, founders can reach out by emailing philadelphia [at] bunkerlabs [dot] org.