Bunker Labs Wisconsin has been mentoring veteran-led startups at University Research Park since November. But it will now run a more structured accelerator program that will offer mentoring and matching grants to such companies, though it won’t take equity investments.

One of the Bunker Lab-mentored companies, Polco, won the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce pitch night last week. The company, whose apps help local governments connect with their citizens, was co-founded by a US Air Force Reserve officer and former White House economist.

The Innovator Academy, which will begin in September, is free for veterans and costs $995 for non-veterans. It’s being funded by a $95,000 grant from WEDC and contributions from JPMorgan Chase, AT&T Wisconsin and University Research Park.

Michael Ertmer, the executive director of Bunker Labs Wisconsin, says there will be at least 10 teams in its first cohort.

Applications for the 12-week program are due Sept. 6.

See more on the accelerator:
http://www.wisbusiness.com/1008/160830BunkerLabs.pdf

See more on Polco:
http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=376881