Anne Cocklin of Cocklins Digital recently completed the Veteran Institute Procurement (VIP) GROW Program

Cocklins Digital has gained important skills for doing business with the Government

Washington, DC; 10 July 2017: Anne Cocklin of Cocklins Digital recently completed the Veteran Institute Procurement (VIP) GROW Program, a comprehensive training and certification program that helps veteran-owned businesses strengthen their ability to win government contracts and do business with both military and civilian agencies they once served in uniform.

On June 22, 2017, Cocklins Digital, CVE certified as a Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB), was one of 49 businesses from 15 states and the District of Columbia to graduate from the Veteran Institute for Procurement (VIP) GROW Program.

“Cocklins Digital has always combined our knowledge and skills with cutting edge technology to create the highest quality videos to our government clients,” Anne Cocklin said. “Now with the expertise of the subject matter experts provided by the VIP Grow program we have the organization and planning skills for large government project contracts.”

The first program of its kind in the nation, VIP GROW is conducted by professional subject-matter specialists in the essentials necessary to win government contracts: law, accounting, insurance, human resources, marketing and proposals. It also provides participants with access to Federal and prime contracting executives along with a national network of veteran owned small businesses that they can team with on opportunities.
Since its launch in 2009, VIP GROW has helped 727 service-disabled and veteran-owned small businesses grow.  A survey of 348 of the program’s graduates determined that 2915 new jobs were created and the size of their businesses increased by an average of 50% within a year of graduating from the Institute. More than 81% of surveyed graduates credited VIP GROW for equipping them to make recent business decisions and avoid unseen pitfalls. Additionally, veteran-owned businesses are more likely to hire, mentor and train other war veterans as they transition to private life, which is a national priority.

“We are honored to give back to the men and women who served our country by providing them with the tools necessary to succeed as government contractors.” said Barbara Ashe,
President of the Montgomery County Chamber Community Foundation. “We hope this training fosters their success as businesses and employers.”

VIP GROW is a three-day, 27-hour comprehensive certification program. Participants must be a C-level leader in a Veteran-owned small business operating for at least two years with a minimum of 3 full time employees, and experience working on government contracts as a prime and/or sub-contractor to a prime. With volunteer instructors and at no cost to participants, VIP GROW is fully funded by the Montgomery County Chamber Community Foundation, partners, and VIP sponsors.

For information: Anne or Stephen Cocklin, 301-259-2468; anne@cocklinsdigital.com steve@cocklinsdigital.com

For information on VIP: Barbara Ashe, 301-738-0015  x215; bashe@mcccmd.com

For additional information, please visit www.NationalVip.org or the Montgomery County Chamber Community Foundation.