Swatara Coffee Company is looking for the public’s support to secure a cash grant as part of the Burt Williams Memorial Veteran Small Business Award.
Navy veteran John Noll is one of fifteen finalists selected for the award contest following an initial round in which veterans now working as entrepreneurs pitched their business idea, how they would use the award, product-market fit, company history, and social impact on the military community.
Voting is open through midnight ET on Wednesday April 3.
The award is sponsored by the StreetShares Foundation as well as VSRG, Victor 12 Inc, and Black Rifle Coffee Company. The three veteran entrepreneurs with the highest number of votes will be invited to travel to MGM National Harbor as part of the BourBiz event scheduled for April 18. Each of the entrepreneurs will then receive a cash grant based on how they do in the live pitch contest, with the winner receiving $25k, the runner-up getting $15k, and the third place finisher getting $10k.
Here’s Swatara Coffee’s video application.
According to Noll’s entry, his company had its origins in daydreams and business plan drafts undertaken while he was serving in Afghanistan. Swatara Coffee Company recognizes its military roots with a military discount, free coffee giveaways for vets and spouses on Valentine’s Day, and a “Deployments Suck” giveaway day for spouses whose loved ones are serving elsewhere.
Swatara Coffee Company is located at 40 W. Market Street in Jonestown and open Monday through Friday 6am-8pm and Saturday 7am-2pm.
Does not treat his employees well.
This man may be a veteran but does not deserve anything for the way he treats other military members of the community.
Shining example of a Veteran. Ask him why after an employee was using their families military discount they were reprimanded and he took money out of their paycheck to pay back the discounted amount. $11
Ask him what he thinks about the immigration problem we’re having in the United States