Veteran business incubator Frontline Labs is encouraging Australians to give back by supporting veteran-owned and operated businesses.
This Anzac Day, veteran business incubator Frontline Labs, is calling on all Australians to rally behind veteran-owned and operated businesses.
The Support Veteran Business campaign encourages business and the public alike to support the veteran economy. By choosing to engage with a veteran business, or supporting veteran products in the supply chain, everyone can make a meaningful difference to this valuable community – made up of more than 30,000 veteran innovators.
Mark Leatham, veteran and Frontline Labs co-founder, says supporting veteran-owned businesses is one of the best ways Australians can show their support for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) community.
“Every Anzac Day we see hundreds of thousands of people rally behind veterans at ceremonies and dawn services, which always means so much to the veteran community,” he says.
“This year, we’re encouraging Australians to take that support one step further by directly engaging with a veteran-owned business, helping to improve the livelihoods of servicemen and women who typically face various challenges when transitioning outside of military life.”
In their transition back to civilian life, veterans disproportionately face severe health and social issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse, unemployment, suicide, and homelessness, with a 2023 report finding that veterans are overrepresented in Australia’s homeless population.
Michael Handley, an army veteran with seven years of army experience and two overseas deployments under his belt, faced these challenges first-hand during his own transition back to civilian life in 2022.
Michael says that his personal experience with mental health challenges – including PTSD and suicidal thoughts – inspired him to create REDSIX, a revolutionary veteran support app that helps veterans and ADF servicemen and women seek help when they need it.
“REDSIX was designed and developed from lived experience in one of the highest suicide risk demographics globally – the military. This is due to the rising rate of modern-day veterans losing the battle after returning home from operation demands,” says Michael.
Each year, approximately six thousand individuals depart from the ADF to reintegrate into civilian life. For many veterans, this transition can present numerous challenges, including difficulties in adjusting to new lifestyles and environments.
During his transition out of the ADF, Michael participated in one of Frontline Labs’ Veteran Entrepreneurship program, an experience he says was essential to helping him navigate such a challenging time.
“I think for me personally, having REDSIX has helped with my transition into civilian life by allowing me to look at my service history as part of my make-up – part of my DNA – but not my only identity,” he says.
Understanding the importance of self-employment in the transition process, Frontline Labs supports Australia’s defence community with fully funded programs. It’s here they can be encouraged with new opportunities to seek cohort and purpose in the growing veteran economy.
This Anzac Day, Frontline Labs is asking all Australians to do their part to support the servicemen and women who have sacrificed so much for our country. By choosing to engage with veteran business, or supporting veteran products in the supply chain, everyone can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who have served their country.
To learn more about the ‘Support Veteran Business’ campaign or to contribute, please visit supportveteranbusiness.com.au.