Ohio veteran receives $10K entrepreneurship award

August 13, 2019

Nick Ripplinger, founder of Dayton startup Battle Sight Technologies, was awarded the Disabled American Veterans’ Arthur H. and Mary E. Wilson Award last week. The award recognizes superior performance as part of the nationwide Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities Program & includes $10K in prize money.

“This award recognizes a disabled veteran who has taken on the challenge of starting his or her own business,” DAV National Commander Dennis Nixon said. “We know employment is one of the most important factors in a veteran’s successful transition out of the military, and we are excited to help provide a resource for Mr. Ripplinger that can serve as inspiration for others to pursue their own entrepreneurial goals.”

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, entrepreneurship has taken a nosedive among the most recent generation, with just 4.5% of post-9/11 veterans launching their own businesses. This is down significantly from the 49.7% of veterans went on to run or own businesses in the aftermath of World War II, and the 40% of Korean War veterans.

The Arthur H. and Mary E. Wilson Award specifically recognizes businesses and non-profits that excel in the EBV program’s business plan competition, offering a $10,000 cash prize that serves as a springboard for new veteran-owned businesses.

“The [award] was a win for Battle Sight,” Nick said. “The cash award allowed us to save money by placing a larger quantity order, and the exposure of the award helped get our name out to a larger audience.”

Battle Sight Technology develops infrared chemiluminescent products to aid war fighters on the battlefield. Nick has also made it a priority to aid veterans off the battlefield, by helping them transition into civilian careers by leveraging their military skills in the business world and making veteran hiring a company priority.

Nick enlisted in the military at age 17. He served until 2009, when he was injured in Iraq. He launched Battle Sight Technologies with infrared tech he licensed from the Air Force Lab in 2017.

Heading into its third year, Battle Sight Technologies announced that it licensed new tech from AFRL and is gearing up to launch a suite of new products for the warfighter & emergency responders.