Investors extend more than $600,000 to veteran-owned startups at Veterans Business Battle

HOUSTON, March 2, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Investors extended a combined total of $610,000 to veteran-owned companies at the third annual EO-Houston Veterans Business Battle. The event at Rice University serves as a forum to connect veteran-owned companies with investors, resources and business mentors.

Fifteen companies from across the country pitched their ideas to a panel of investors Saturday. By the evening, investors were ready to offer more than $600,000 of offers. Additional investment offers are in the works.

"The ability to invest in and support veteran-owned companies is something we consider to be a privilege," said Mark Martin, chairman. "We've seen our past winners mentor and even in some cases invest in the newer startups. It's incredible to be a part of this full circle of veteran entrepreneurship."

Those companies that received offers Saturday included:

Funnel Science: $250,000: A Plano, Tex. web marketing company that streamlines user experience and business return on investment

Veterans Manufacturing, $200,000: A body armor and ballistics company based in Katy

True Made Foods, $100,000: True Made Foods, of Alexandria, Va., produces clean, paleo sauces including ketchup, barbecue and sriacha sauce

GH Mobil, $50,000: A Spring, Texas-based auto shop that brings mechanics to the customer, reducing overhead and consumer costs on towing.

Shield International, $10,000: Shield International, based in Wolchester, CT, trains schools, businesses and others on tactical response to active shooters and other urgent situations virtually

True Made Foods also received a $1,000 cash prize from the Rice University student organization, Veterans in Business Association, for winning a crowd favorite vote.

Saturday's offers bring the total investment offers at Veterans Business Battle to $2.4 million total in the three years that the Veterans Business Battle has existed.

The two-day event included learning sessions about financing, marketing and entrepreneurship as well as networking with investors and business leaders.

The awards culminated with a keynote speech by New York Times best-selling author Marcus Luttrell, whose book inspired the movie Lone Survivor.

For more information, visit www.vetbizbattle.com or call 713-296-0004

Veterans Business Battle was established in 2015 by The Houston chapter of Entrepreneurs' Organization and Rice University's Veterans in Business Association. The competition aims to foster entrepreneurship among veterans, grow veteran-owned businesses and give back to veterans seeking to make a difference in the business world. For more information, visit www.vetbizbattle.com

Contact: Sara Yonker, 713-296-0004
[email protected]

SOURCE Veterans Business Battle