KENNESAW, Ga. | Feb 4, 2026

When Megan Andrews signed up for Kennesaw State University’s STRIVE entrepreneurship program, she had a business idea but needed help bringing it to life.

Eight weeks later, the KSU alum and military spouse walked across the graduation stage with a clearer path forward for PinConnect, her startup designed to make in-person networking more meaningful.

Andrews was a participant in the inaugural cohort of STRIVE, an acronym for Startup Training Resources to Inspire Veteran Entrepreneurship, a free program offered by the Michael J. Coles College of Business at KSU in partnership with Syracuse University Institute for Veterans and Military Families, designed to help veterans and their families succeed in entrepreneurship.

“I signed up for the program to gain deeper insight into the practical steps required to transform a business idea into a viable, real-world solution,” said Andrews, who was able to refine a business for PinConnect, buttons with a code that allow attendees at networking events to easily connect with each other. “While I had a strong concept and vision, I wanted guidance on validation, strategy, execution and scalability.”

The program recently concluded with a graduation ceremony that brought together local entrepreneurship stakeholders, including representatives from the Small Business Development Center, HatchBridge business incubator and KSU’s Family Enterprise Center. All graduates pitched their business concept and received feedback from partners.

“Entrepreneurship is an action sport,” said Steven Phelan, a professor of entrepreneurship in the Coles College of Business who leads the program. “It’s not just something you talk about. It’s something you do and so the program is designed to help participants take steps to move their ideas forward each week.”

Phelan says the eight-week program was created to address a gap in existing transition programs for veterans. Programs like the military’s Transition Assistance Program introduces entrepreneurship, however Phelan said the STRIVE program is designed to be more in-depth, offering more hands-on applications.

Participants met weekly at HatchBridge, a community incubator, to explore topics such as idea generation, marketing and legal considerations. Each session required participants to create an action plan and report back on what they accomplished.

Phelan added that one of the program’s most valuable outcomes was the sense of community that developed among participants.

“They were talking in the parking lot after class and meeting outside of structured time,” he said. “That’s a really good sign. They built relationships that will continue after the program ends.”

Like most participants, Andrews said she now has a clearer path forward for PinConnect.

“One of my biggest takeaways is realizing that it’s okay not to have everything figured out at the beginning,” Andrews said. “Rather than waiting for perfection, I learned the importance of taking initiative and learning through action.”

STRIVE will return in Fall 2026. Veterans and eligible family members interested in future cohorts are encouraged to submit an expression of interest through the STRIVE program webpage.

– Story by Christin Senior

Photos provided

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 51,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university's vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.