Got Questions? We've Got Answers.
Clear answers on what Capital Forge League is, how athletes and veterans build together, how fans support programming, and how competition works — without the mint wash, without the noise.
Got Questions
What CFL is, who it's for, and how Join the Project differs from the Forge Project.
What is Capital Forge League?
Capital Forge League (CFL) is a Florida 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides business education to veterans and athletes through collaborative learning partnerships.
Teams develop sports-tech and venture skills and compete in season-based programming. CFL welcomes athletes from professional leagues, college (all divisions), motorsport, golf, Olympic sports, international leagues, combat sports, esports and beyond.
CFL does not broker securities, take commissions, or host offerings. It is an educational competition and mentorship platform.
What's the difference between "Join the Project" and the Forge Project?
Join the Project means contributing skills, expertise, mentorship, or learning-partner time — participation in CFL education and competition.
The Forge Project is the finished work each team files and presents at the end of a season — the plan, the numbers, the research, what it built and the pitch — scored as coursework. It is not a securities platform and does not host offerings.
CFL = education · Forge Project = the team's finished workIs CFL only for college athletes?
No. CFL is for student, active professional, and retired athletes — plus veterans as learning partners. If you competed at an elite level, you're in scope.
How does CFL teach financial literacy?
Curriculum includes:
- Budgeting for Builders
- Venture Evaluation
- Personal Brand as Business Asset
- Spending plans for a new venture (education only)
- Equity vs. Employment
We teach financial skills you can use.
Common Questions
Equity, schedules, matching, tech skills, and applying with a partner you already have.
Do I need a business idea to apply?
A rough idea helps, but it isn't required for athletes or veterans. CFL helps you shape direction with mentors and learning partners.
Does CFL take equity in my company?
No. CFL is a 501(c)(3). It takes 0% equity. Teams keep 100% ownership of their ventures.
What if I'm still playing or serving?
Athletes can work around in-season and off-season schedules. Veterans on active duty need command approval and must follow applicable ethics rules.
What if I don't get matched?
Selection depends on fit and open seats. If you aren't placed this season, we keep your application on file for the next one.
Do I need tech skills?
No. Learning partners, technical mentors, or contractors can cover product and tech execution while you focus on domain strength and leadership.
Can I apply with a learning partner I already have?
Yes — especially for veteran–athlete pairs. Otherwise, CFL provides matching.
For Athletes
Student, active professional, retired — all sports, all stages.
How much time does it take?
Minimum 5–10 hours/week during the season (ten weeks). More if you're building aggressively.
What if my team doesn't reach 100 yards?
You still get training, network, and experience. Not reaching 100 isn't failure — you're building skills for the long game.
Which sports can I come from?
All of them. CFL welcomes athletes from professional leagues, college (all divisions), motorsport, golf, Olympic sports, international leagues, combat sports, esports and beyond.
If you competed at an elite level, you're in scope.
I'm still playing. Can I participate while active?
Yes. Programming flexes around in-season and off-season. Athletes can pair with a veteran learning partner and build a business foundation without leaving the game.
I'm retired. Is it too late for me?
No. Retired athletes bring time, network depth, and credibility. The learning-partner model with a veteran co-builder is built for this transition.
NIL disclosure: what CFL is, and what it is not
You represent yourself. You are free to handle your own NIL deals without an agent. CFL gives you free tools that make that simple, including automated marketing outreach to local businesses.
CFL is not your NIL agent. Capital Forge League only helps with outreach. It prepares your outreach materials and introduces you to local businesses. It is not your agent, your representative or your attorney.
CFL does not negotiate for you. CFL will not negotiate, counter, accept or sign any deal for you. You decide every term yourself, together with your parent or guardian if you are under 18.
No guarantee of any result. CFL cannot promise that any business will respond, that any offer will come, or that you will earn anything.
Free, with no cut. NIL is free. CFL takes no fee and no share of any deal, and the business pays you directly.
Help with contracts. Have any agreement reviewed before you sign it. If you'd like help, CFL can share a list of attorneys you can contact with questions. CFL does not pay for or supervise their advice.
Is CFL my NIL agent? Will CFL negotiate deals for me?
CFL is not your NIL agent. Capital Forge League only helps with outreach. It prepares your outreach materials and introduces you to local businesses. It is not your agent, your representative or your attorney.
CFL does not negotiate for you. CFL will not negotiate, counter, accept or sign any deal for you. You decide every term yourself, together with your parent or guardian if you are under 18.
Read the full NIL disclosure.
Does CFL guarantee I will get an NIL deal?
No guarantee of any result. CFL cannot promise that any business will respond, that any offer will come, or that you will earn anything.
NIL is free. CFL takes no fee and no share of any deal, and the business pays you directly.
For Veterans
All branches, all specialties, all stages of transition.
Which military branches and specialties can participate?
Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Space Force — and across roles from infantry and special operations to cyber, logistics, intel, medical, and more. MOS/Rating doesn't matter.
Do I need business experience to join?
No. You need military experience. CFL teaches business. Veteran strengths — operational discipline, mission-first thinking, leadership under ambiguity — pair powerfully with athlete partners.
What if I'm still on active duty?
Participation may be possible with limits under DoD ethics rules and command approval. The 12–24 months before separation is often an ideal window to plan transition.
What if I'm recently separated?
The first 12–24 months post-separation is a strong window to channel military energy into building a company via the learning-partner model.
For Supporters & Fans
How to back the mission, vote, and participate — without confusing CFL education with securities offerings.
Can I support a team financially?
CFL accepts donations (it is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit; donors receive a receipt) that fund educational programming, mentorship, and infrastructure — not ownership stakes in individual teams.
CFL does not accept earmarked donations for individuals, does not broker securities, and does not host offerings.
What does "voting" actually do?
Voting advances teams down virtual sports fields in a gamified educational competition. Every 3 yards equals one community vote. Reaching 100 yards can unlock Forge recognition and Game Day eligibility.
Critical: Voting is not a purchase of securities. Votes confer no ownership, financial rights, or claim on any venture.
Can I donate to support specific teams or athletes?
No. Donations to CFL support the overall educational mission (programming, mentorship, platform). CFL does not accept earmarked donations for individuals and does not broker securities or host offerings.
Competition & Stadium
How teams advance, rank, and earn recognition.
How does the CFL competition work?
Teams move toward 100 yards through verified work and community votes. Milestones may bring extra coaching or a showcase slot when available.
This is not gambling. This is educational competition.
What are "Stadium Events"?
Live voting sessions with a scoreboard and leaderboard. CFL does not broadcast professional sports leagues (NFL, NBA, etc.) — Stadium is CFL's own competition experience.
How are teams ranked?
By yard-line position in Florida rank, national rank, and category rank (e.g., Sports Tech). Rankings reflect educational competition performance.
Can I participate as a fan without being an athlete or veteran?
Yes. Fans can register to vote, follow teams, and support the mission. Start at Join the League.
Legal & Compliance
Required clarity on what CFL is and what it is not.
Why does CFL ask for this information when I apply?
Capital Forge League uses what you enter to review your application, confirm you are eligible for the role you asked for, protect the people in the programme, and place you on a team.
We collect only what those purposes need. Some roles need an identity check later, which is requested separately and securely. Passing that check does not guarantee selection, a team seat, admission, leadership, or access to CFL systems.
Please do not send medical, financial or other sensitive personal information unless CFL specifically asks for it.
What CFL IS
- Nonprofit educational organization (Florida 501(c)(3))
- Competition platform for veteran–athlete teams
- Provider of mentorship, coaching, and programming
- Community engagement platform
What CFL is NOT
- Broker-dealer
- Funding portal
- Securities advisor
- Securities exchange
Educational scope
CFL is a Florida 501(c)(3) focused on competition, mentorship, coaching, and recognition.
The Forge Project inside CFL is coursework a team files and presents — not a place to buy or sell securities.
CFL does not host offerings, does not receive commissions from securities transactions, and does not provide financial advice.
Who Owns the Ventures
The teams own their ventures. Not CFL.
CFL takes no equity in any team's own company. Technology CFL brings to a lab, such as the patent-pending helmet work, stays with CFL, and students do not take that patent.
Full Terms of Use
Summary highlights — full terms govern use of the platform.
01 Acceptance of Terms
Platform for users 18+. Minors require parental consent.
02 Nonprofit Scope
CFL is a 501(c)(3). Not a broker-dealer, funding portal, or securities advisor.
03 Educational Purpose
Content is informational. Rankings reflect competition performance, not suitability of any securities offering. Consult your own advisors.
04 Third-Party Independence
No hosting or structuring of securities offerings. No commissions. Third-party sites, if linked, are independent of CFL.
05 Account Responsibility
Accurate info and account security are your responsibility. Posted content grants CFL a non-exclusive license for programming use.
Voting & Awards
Voting is for engagement; confers no financial rights. Awards are discretionary and final.
No Guaranteed Results
Participation does not guarantee acceptance, funding, rankings, or specific outcomes.
Liability Limitations
Site provided "as is." Liability limited to $100 or amounts paid to CFL in the preceding 12 months.
Governing Law
Florida law. Disputes mediated in Hillsborough County, FL; costs shared equally.
Didn't find your answer? Contact us or join the conversation.
Email preferred. No phone listed. Email info@capitalforgeleague.com and put the topic in the subject line.