Dryhootch

What Dryhootch does

Dryhootch of America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit veteran services organization founded in 2008 by Bob Curry, a Vietnam combat veteran, and headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The organization operates a community-led peer support model built around two physical "FOB" (Forward Operating Base) coffee house locations in Milwaukee that serve as drug-and-alcohol-free gathering spaces for veterans and their families. Its core product is a portfolio of veteran peer support programs covering readjustment, addiction, legal assistance through Veterans Courts, family resources, creative therapy, and employment placement (Deployment to Employment). The technology layer consists of the BattlePeer QRF smartphone app, launched in 2018 in partnership with Medical College of Wisconsin, Marquette University, UW-Milwaukee, and the VA, which connects veterans to peer mentors via mobile, and an online QRF Certified Peer Mentor Training Program that is certified in the State of Illinois and qualifies graduates for VA employment as Veteran Peer Specialists.

The business model is diversified across four revenue streams: donations and charitable contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations; coffee and merchandise sales through a Square-powered e-commerce storefront featuring branch-themed roasts; training program fees for the 40-hour QRF Peer Mentor certification; and government grants, including funding from the Healthier Wisconsin Partnership Program. The go-to-market motion is community-led, relying on veteran peer mentors who have personally navigated PTSD, addiction, and transition challenges, supplemented by partnerships with 46 Veterans Courts across 20 states and academic-medical collaborators. The organization has received the White House Champion of Change honor (2012) and the Wall of Heroes Award, validating its brand credibility in the veteran services sector. No institutional investor, private equity, or public market backing is disclosed; the company is founder-led and operates at a small scale with 11-50 employees.

Name

Dryhootch

Legal name

Dryhootch of America

Website

https://dryhootch.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Dryhootch is a Milwaukee-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides veteran peer support programs through coffee house gathering spaces, a certified peer mentor training program, the BattlePeer mobile app, and partnerships with 46 Veterans Courts across 20 states.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Veteran Peer Support Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431)

SIC

Services-Home Health Care Services (8082), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Stress Management & Burnout Prevention Coaching (HSADAGAD)

Keywords

• Veteran peer support
• Nonprofit veteran services
• Peer mentor training
• Veteran readjustment counseling
• Veteran coffee house

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Dryhootch is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that relies on donations from individuals, corporations, and charitable foundations to fund operations and programs.
2. Coffee Shop Sales: Revenue from selling roasted coffee products including themed roasts for each military branch (Marine Mud, Navy Destroyer, Special Forces Bold, Air Force Jet Fuel, Coast Guard Seizure, Army Bunker Brew). Coffee sales support the social healing space and fund operations.
3. Training Program Fees: Fees from QRF (Quick Reaction Force) Peer Mentor Training Program delivered to veterans and organizations seeking certified peer training. Program can qualify organizations for paid Peer programs from government agencies.
4. Government Grants: Funding received from Healthier Wisconsin Partnership Program (component of Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin endowment at Medical College of Wisconsin) for QRF Peer Mentor Training Program development.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Dryhootch of America is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) veteran peer support organization that operates drug-and-alcohol-free coffee house gathering spaces (FOBs) and a portfolio of peer-led programs. Its core offerings include veteran peer mentoring, a state-certified 40-hour QRF Peer Mentor Training Program, the BattlePeer smartphone-based peer connection app, and wraparound support covering readjustment, addiction recovery, legal assistance through Veterans Courts, family resources, creative arts therapy, and employment placement.

Product overview

Dryhootch is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that operates a network of veteran peer support services centered around a coffee house model. The organization offers a unified portfolio of programs including the core Coffee House social space, Peer Support Program, and QRF Certified Peer Mentor Training, supplemented by specialized services for readjustment, legal help, addiction support, family resources, creative arts therapy, and employment assistance. The ecosystem is complemented by a mobile app (Battlepeer) and retail coffee products. All programs are built on a peer-to-peer support model where combat veterans who have navigated challenges help fellow veterans on their journey.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BattlePeer (QRF Mobile): Smartphone-based veteran peer mentor system that allows veterans to connect with peer battle buddies for help, advice, or conversation.
• QRF (Quick Reaction Force)
• Deployment to Employment (D2E)
• Family Resource Center

Products and services

• Dryhootch Coffee House (FOB) A drug-and-alcohol-free social gathering space operated as a coffee shop where veterans and their families can enjoy coffee, music, art, and camaraderie while learning about available support programs. Operates as the foundational FOB (Forward Operating Base) social setting.
• Peer Support Program Veteran-to-veteran peer support services where combat veterans who have navigated the transition to civilian life provide guidance and support to fellow veterans facing similar challenges.
• QRF (Quick Reaction Force) Peer Mentor Training A 40-hour certified training program equipping veterans with skills to help fellow veterans struggling with PTSD, depression, addiction, and post-deployment issues. Certified in the State of Illinois and qualifies veterans for employment at the VA as Veteran Peer Mentors. Delivered online via courses.dryhootch.org and onsite at organizational locations.
• BattlePeer (QRF Mobile App) A smartphone-based veteran peer mentor system that connects veterans with peer support resources and Battle Buddies via mobile application, enabling veterans to reach out for help anytime and anywhere.
• Readjustment Program Support services for veterans experiencing readjustment challenges including anger, depression, job difficulties, family relationship issues, and other post-deployment transitions.
• Veteran Court Peer Mentor Program A legal assistance program pairing Dryhootch peer mentors with veterans involved in the legal system for nonviolent crimes, providing alternatives to incarceration through supportive relationships with veteran mentors. Delivered through partnerships with 46 Veterans Courts across 20 states.
• Family Resource Center A holistic program providing peer support services, health and wellness resources, and community/social activities specifically for veteran family members transitioning alongside their veteran.
• Addiction Support Program Peer-based programs addressing substance abuse and addiction issues among veterans, developed in collaboration with the VA and addiction experts including the Medical College of Wisconsin.
• Music, Art, Writing Program Creative therapy programs using art, music, and writing to help veterans process trauma, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and substance abuse through expressive outlets.
• Deployment to Employment (D2E) Employment support program assisting veterans in finding meaningful employment through peer mentorship, job skills guidance, and connections with veteran-friendly employers.
• Dryhootch Coffee Roasts Specialty coffee products named after military branches including Marine Mud, Navy Destroyer, Special Forces Bold, Air Force Jet Fuel, Coast Guard Seizure, and Army Bunker Brew, available for purchase through the online store as a retail sub-product supporting program operations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 80% of veterans with combat PTSD develop addiction issues, highlighting the critical need for integrated peer support services
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Medical College of WisconsincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey collaborative partner in the QRF Peer Mentor Training Program. Provided the Healthier Wisconsin Partnership Program funding for program development. Partnered on the BattlePeer QRF smartphone app development. Worked with Dryhootch to develop addiction programs that address military culture and language.
• Marquette UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating partner in the QRF Peer Mentor Training Program, contributing to the Dryhootch Partnership for Veteran Health. Partnered on BattlePeer QRF smartphone app development.
• Mental Health AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating partner in the QRF Peer Mentor Training Program as part of the Dryhootch Partnership for Veteran Health.
• University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating partner in the QRF Peer Mentor Training Program as part of the Dryhootch Partnership for Veteran Health. Partnered on BattlePeer QRF smartphone app development.
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the BattlePeer QRF smartphone app development. QRF certification qualifies veterans for employment at the VA as Veteran Peer Specialists. Collaboration on peer support programs.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Team Red, White & Blue (Team RWB): Team RWB is a veteran peer-support nonprofit that builds community and connection through physical and social programming for veterans. Like Dryhootch, it relies on veteran-to-veteran engagement and community-based activities to address isolation and transitions.
• The Headstrong Project: Headstrong provides free, confidential mental health treatment to post-9/11 veterans through a vetted provider network. It is a direct peer in the veteran mental health and peer support category, complementing Dryhootch's peer-led model with clinical care.
• PsychArmor Institute: PsychArmor delivers free online training and certification for people who work with, live with, or care for veterans. Like Dryhootch's QRF program, it builds a workforce capable of supporting veterans through structured peer-led training.
• Stop Soldier Suicide: Stop Soldier Suicide provides peer-to-peer support and intervention for at-risk veterans. It is a direct peer in the veteran peer-support and crisis intervention space, sharing target population and peer-led delivery model with Dryhootch.
• Give an Hour: Give an Hour connects veterans and their families with free mental health services from volunteer providers. It is comparable to Dryhootch in veteran mental health focus but uses a professional volunteer provider model rather than peer-led community spaces.

Broad incumbents

• Wounded Warrior Project: Wounded Warrior Project is a large, well-funded veteran services nonprofit offering peer support, mental health programs, and veteran employment. It operates much broader programmatic and geographic reach than Dryhootch but addresses the same veteran transition challenges.
• Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA): IAVA is a national veteran advocacy and peer-support organization focused on post-9/11 veterans. Comparable to Dryhootch in veteran peer-support mission but operates at national advocacy scale rather than community-level coffee house delivery.

Emerging players

• Student Veterans of America: Student Veterans of America builds peer-support communities on college campuses for student veterans. It overlaps with Dryhootch's peer-support mission but is narrower in scope (higher education) and complements the D2E employment program.
• Pat Tillman Foundation: Pat Tillman Foundation supports veterans and military spouses through scholarships and leadership development. It is thematically comparable to Dryhootch's Deployment to Employment program and broader veteran transition mission.

Others

• Veterans Treatment Court (Justice for Vets): Justice for Vets is the national technical assistance provider supporting the Veterans Treatment Court movement. It is a channel partner and ecosystem enabler for Dryhootch's Veterans Court Peer Mentor Program across 20 states.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/100000720920784
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/1577152

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Dryhootch