Comcast and The Bunker Partner to Support Veterans!
Source: Tiffanie Stanard, Radio One
Philly Speaks attended the successful launch of The Bunker, an accelerator for veteran-owned businesses founded 2014 in Chicago. The Bunker announced their newest location at the premiere co-working space Benjamin’s Desk located in center city. Michael Maher, founder of the Benjamin’s Desk and formal naval officer will be the new head of the Philadelphia location.
Also announced, Comcast became the first National Corporate Sponsor of The Bunker and Founding Sponsor of The Bunker Philadelphia, aligning with Comcast’s recent announcement to commit to 10,000 military hires, their spouses or domestic partners, and reservists over the next three years.
Built by veterans entrepreneurs for veteran entrepreneurs, The Bunker provides working space, mentors, access to investors, pro-bono services and a community of support to help military veteran-led startup companies grow in today’s competitive market. The event brought together Philly’s influencers and business owners in support of veteran-owned businesses.
Below are Notable Speakers during the event:
David L. Cohen – Senior Executive Vice President of Comcast Corporation
Todd Connor – CEO of The Bunker
Mike Maker – CoFounder of Benjamin’s Desk and Head of The Bunker Philadelphia
Jessica Roseworcel – FCC Commissioner
Alan Greenberger – Philadelphia Deputy Mayor for Economic Development
Neil Smit – President and CEO of Comcast Cable
I was able to speak with David L. Cohen very briefly before the program began and ask him two questions about the national partnership.
Philly Speaks: Please let me know about Comcast’s relationship with The Bunker and how was the relationship formed?
David L. Cohen: We’ve been involved with The Bunker since 2014 when it launched in Chicago we were one of the founding Corporate sponsors in Chicago. And today, we are announcing we are becoming the First National Corporate Sponsor of The Bunker as well as the Founding Corporate Sponsor of The Bunker Philadelphia.
Philly Speaks: The process for selecting national corporate partnerships?
David L. Cohen: For us, we’re a big company and it’s hard to focus on what we want to engage in but entrepreneurship and veterans are two naturals for us. Comcast was an entrepreneurial startup and founded by a Veteran. So anything we can do that brings those two together is a win/win for us.
Source: Tiffanie Stanard, Radio One
The six startups in The Bunker Philadelphia have been selected and will be located at the Benjamin’s Desk’s new location in old city at 601 Walnut St. (Top Floor).
The companies are listed below and additional companies will be announced in the next few months:
- Houwzer (Founder Mike Maker),a residential real estate brokerage company.
- Starchup (Founder Dan Tobon), a software and mobile application for dry-cleaning.
- CauseEngine (Founder James Brobyn), a marketplace that matches non-profits and freelancers.
- VetsForward (Founder Dave Foster), a search platform for finding veterans-owned businesses.
- Serve1 (Founder Chris Diaz), a trusted resource to create first-degree resources for veterans.
- GoPaperboy (Founder Jen Gallagher), a hyper-local marketplace to help students build the job they want and families find the help they need created.
For more information on The Bunker Philadelphia
For more information on Comcast Corporation
Written by: Tiffanie Stanard, Co-Host/Producer @Philly_Speaks
