Helping Veterans Succeed in Business and Beyond - Ottawa - Canada's Entrepreneur

·32 min·3 clips

Joe Blanchard was released from the military after an injury in Afghanistan, sparking his journey to help veterans start businesses.

The episode features an interview with Dr. Joseph Blanchard, hosted by Phil Bliss on Canada's Entrepreneur. Blanchard begins by summarizing his 30-year military career, including a tour in Afghanistan where he was injured and subsequently released. After leaving the military, he entered the high-tech sector, working for companies like BlackBerry and in banking. In 2014, he founded VCATS (Veterans Career Assistance and Transportation Services) to help soldiers and veterans transition to civilian careers. He details a four-step program that has since been adopted by the government. Blanchard discusses four current priorities: an Indigenous Veterans Wellness Program, a national veterans housing strategy with a pilot in Ottawa's Tunney's Pasture, a Canadian Military University offering degree programs, and a National Veterans Entrepreneurship Hub. He explains the gap in mentorship for veteran entrepreneurs, noting that many businesses fail due to lack of knowledge in areas like marketing and finance. When asked about his transition to entrepreneurship, Blanchard shares a story from 1980 about a cast innovation idea, highlighting his early entrepreneurial thinking. He credits mentors like Rajiv Maradia for advice on validating business ideas before investment. Blanchard advises veterans to join industry associations to gain mindset and networking opportunities. He describes himself as resourceful and shares personal habits, such as thriving on four hours of sleep and using an AI recorder for idea management. The episode ends with Blanchard discussing his current reading on astrophysics and autism, and his busy schedule involving veteran advocacy and organizational roles.

As heard by us

Joe Blanchard connects military service, startup experience, and mentorship for veterans building businesses.

Joe Blanchard's route from a long military career into technology, startups, and veteran business mentorship gives this conversation a clear practical spine.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You want a veteran entrepreneur's route from military service into startups, with mentorship that reaches CMO and CFO level.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from Canada’s Entrepreneur