There are currently an estimated 229,000 military veterans living in the city of San Diego. According to the New York Times, the “100-mile radius supports more military and Coast Guard personnel than any other metropolitan area in the country, according to the Department of Defense.” The high concentration of military veterans is thanks to the many military bases located in the San Diego region.
With so much opportunity for military business, it makes sense that experts in the field (i.e. veterans), start businesses in an effort to service the many needs of the industry. Because of this there are many organizations supporting veteran entrepreneurship in the area. Examples include the SoCal Veterans Business Outreach Center, which helps veterans gain access to capital, and the Rosie Network, a nonprofit that recently opened the Military Entrepreneur Development Center geared to help active duty, veterans, and spouses of military personal develop small businesses. The support and environment has currently created a healthy atmosphere for veteran focused business within the city and a hub for military veterans with entrepreneurial spirits.
As the city looks towards the future, California’s second largest city currently offers a great deal of opportunities in the fields of life science, telecom, biotech, IT, clean tech, and more all in the defense sector. If you’re a veteran looking to start a business focusing on your military background, San Diego may be the city for you.