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After nearly a decade of dedicated service, Veterati, a leading platform for career mentoring, has closed its doors. For nine years, Veterati has been a cornerstone for transitioning service members and military spouses, offering them critical guidance and support as they navigate the challenging journey from military to civilian life. Despite the community’s efforts and a GoFundMe campaign that raised over $12,000 to rebuild after a cyberattack in 2022, the platform has announced it can no longer sustain its operations, and all services ceased as of August 31, 2024.
A Quiet Goodbye: The Closure Announcement
In an unexpected move, Veterati chose to announce its closure solely through email communication to its mentors and users. As of Monday, 1PM Central Standard Time, there is no official statement on their website. There is also no explanation on social media, leaving many in the community surprised and searching for answers. The email, signed by CEO Daniel Rau, expressed gratitude to the community but did not provide specific reasons for the shutdown, leaving a sense of uncertainty among its members. A screenshot of the email, shared with our editorial staff, has been shared below.
Veterati’s decision to forgo a public announcement left users with little time to transition or seek alternatives. As a result, several of those impacted have decided to take swift action to attempt to preserve valuable contacts and mentoring relationships.
A Legacy of Service and Impact
Veterati has been a lifeline for thousands who have exited military service. According to Crunchbase, there are over 97,000 current members on the platform. The organization’s impact on the military community has been profound, providing personalized, one-on-one mentoring to help service members translate their military skills into civilian job markets. On its face, the platform’s sudden closure appears to leave a significant gap in support for veterans looking to make it in the civilian world.
However, the spirit of Veterati’s mission lives on. A group of dedicated individuals, spearheaded by Asif Haidir, Chief of Operations at AxeGENAI, is rallying to ensure that the essential services provided by Veterati remain available to the military community. Their goal is to keep the flame of career mentoring for transitioning military personnel burning brightly.
Alternatives for Career Support in the Military Community
While the closure of Veterati is a substantial loss, there are several other organizations offering similar support:
- Candorful – Provides free career coaching and mock interviews for transitioning veterans.
- Commit Foundation – Focuses on helping veterans and their families find meaningful careers through personalized coaching and mentoring programs.
- FourBlock – A nationwide network that offers career readiness programs and professional networks to help veterans successfully transition to civilian careers.
- Easterseals Veterans Staffing Network – A staffing agency that specializes in placing veterans in meaningful civilian careers.
- American Corporate Partners (ACP) – Provides free, customized mentorships to veterans for career development.
- Vets2PM – Helps veterans transition into project management careers with specialized training and certification support.
These organizations continue to provide the essential career support that Veterati has offered over the years. They remain committed to ensuring that veterans have access to the resources, mentorship, and guidance needed for a successful transition. The National Resource Directory is also a valuable tool for veterans, as it assists in vetting and validating resources offered to the military community.
Moving Forward Together
The closing of Veterati is a reminder of the challenges faced by nonprofits and platforms dedicated to serving niche communities. However, it also underscores the resilience and solidarity of the veteran community. The efforts of Asif Haidir and others to continue providing mentorship opportunities either through the purchase of the platform or rebuilding similar services through a new non-profit demonstrate that, even in the face of setbacks, the mission to support our veterans endures.
As we say goodbye to Veterati in its current form, it’s important for all stakeholders—mentors, corporate partners, and veterans themselves—to explore and engage with alternative resources that can continue to offer the same level of support and guidance in whatever ways we can. The journey from military to civilian life is a significant transition, and having the right support network in place is essential.
The veteran community and supporters are encouraged to connect with these organizations, ensuring that no veteran needs to navigate their career transition alone.
Staying Connected
If you were a mentor or mentee with Veterati, remember to connect with your contacts on LinkedIn and other social networks to maintain these valuable relationships. This closure doesn’t mean an end to the supportive relationships built through Veterati—it is simply a transition to new avenues of support. Todd Scarborough has set up a Slack channel for Veterati mentors and mentees alike who want to stay connected to Veterati’s mission – it’s free and you are welcome to join. Please know that we at Talivity are here to help, that we are listening, and will continue to share information as it becomes available to the community.
