Veterans have been a key part of American entrepreneurship, with more than 1.6 million veteran-owned businesses, representing 4.3% of all U.S. business owners. As a thanks to their service, there are many veteran business resources, including special programs, financing options, and more, to support their success.
In this overview, you’ll find a comprehensive list of the free or low-cost resources available to help take your veteran-owned business to the next level.
1. U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
The Small Business Administration offers numerous veteran business resources through its Office of Veterans’ Business Development. It has a full range of services from launch to expansions, including business training, counseling, and resource-partner referrals to transitioning service members, veterans, members of the National Guard and Army Reserve, and military spouses. Here are some of the programs and support it offers:
Veteran Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs)
Veteran Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs) provide free, tailored entrepreneurial development services to veterans, active-duty service members, and military spouses. They also offer workshops, training, counseling, and mentorship opportunities. There are VBOCs located across the country. You can enter your zip code to find the nearest VBOC.
Boots-to-Business (B2B)
Boots-to-Business is a two-step entrepreneurial training program that’s offered by the SBA and is available to service members transitioning or retiring from the U.S. military and their dependents at participating military installations. It starts with a two-day classroom course on the opportunities and challenges of business ownership. Then, it’s an instructor-guided, eight-week online course taught by trusted professors who teach the fundamentals of starting and running a small business.
Veteran Small Business Certification (VetCert) program
The SBA’s VetCert program gives service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSBs) additional opportunities to compete for federal sole-source and set-aside contracts across the federal government.
2. Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF)
The Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University is an academic institute that empowers service members, veterans, and their families. It offers no-cost career training, professional certifications, entrepreneurship education, and community support resources. Here are some of the programs and support it offers:
Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V-Wise)
Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V-WISE) is a two-part program with a four-week online course, followed by an in-person three-day capstone conference. The program is open to all women veterans, active-duty service members, honorably discharged veterans, and partners and spouses of active-duty service members.
Military Founders Lab
The Military Founders Lab is a 10-week virtual program that supports business growth and development with access to business tools, resources, mentorship, and a peer network. You’ll build your skills, increase your confidence, and learn key topics, including financial reports, marketing, strategic planning, and more.
Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV)
The Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV) initiative combines the structure of higher education with experiential training in entrepreneurship and small business management for post-9/11 veterans at no cost. The three-phase program helps veterans create and sustain their entrepreneurial ventures.
3. Veteran Institute for Procurement:
If you’re interested in federal procurement opportunities, the Veteran Institute for Procurement (VIP) has several programs to train and educate you on how to approach them:
VIP GROW
The core curriculum, VIP GROW, will help your veteran-owned business develop strategies to expand and operate in the federal marketplace. You’ll learn effective strategies to enhance your competitive edge.
VIP START
VIP START may be a good fit if you want to enter the federal market and become procurement-ready. It helps you build a network of key relationships, learn best business practices, navigate the federal marketplac,e and more.
VIP INTERNATIONAL
If you’re interested in entering or expanding into overseas markets, VIP INTERNATIONAL can provide support for federal and commercial contracting opportunities in the global marketplace.
4. Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs)
Many Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) provide support for veterans. What they offer depends on your state, but here are a few programs and services they offer:
Veterans Assistance Program
The New York SBDC’s Veterans Assistance Program offers expert business advisors to help veteran entrepreneurs boost profits, expand their reach, and build a strong foundation.
EntreSkills for Veterans
EntreSkills for Veterans is available through the New York SBDC. This online program and the interactive web-based tool were developed by veterans specifically to assist veteran entrepreneurs and business owners. It helps veterans apply skills learned during military service to business ownership and growth. This veteran small business resource is free when you register.
Mission Ready Entrepreneurship Academy
The New Jersey SBDC offers the Mission Ready Entrepreneurship Academy in partnership with Farleigh Dickinson University and Stockton University to bring a no-cost business training course to veterans, service members, and their families. The course includes education from pre-venture to launch and growth.
5. National Veteran-Owned Business Association (NaVOBA)
The National Veteran-Owned Business Association (NaVOBA) is a nonprofit dedicated to creating corporate contracting opportunities for veteran entrepreneurs. It connects corporate professionals and Certified Veteran Business Enterprises (VBE) through various networking and training events.
Certified Veteran’s Business Enterprise (VBE) and Certified Service-Disabled Veteran’s Business Enterprise (SDVBE)
These certification programs set up the national benchmark in certification for veteran-owned businesses in the private sector and corporate contracting industry. The Certified VBE and SDVBE credentials open the door to more opportunities by delivering credibility and a competitive edge. These certifications are separate form the SBA and VA certifications.
6. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU)
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) is a federal office that helps veterans gain access to economic opportunities by developing policies and programs to maximize the procurement-ready veteran-owned small businesses and service-disabled veteran owned small businesses in federal contracting.
Veterans First Verification program
Certified veteran-owned small businesses (VOSBs) have additional opportunities to pursue sole-source and set-aside contracts at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) under the VA’s Vets First programs.
7. National Veteran Small Business Coalition (NVSBC)
The National Veteran Small Business Coalition (NVSBC) provides advocacy for veteran-owned small businesses, as well as national conferences and membership opportunities.
NVSBC Fellowship Program
The NVSBC Fellowship program is a nationally focused, industry-specific, 9-month program designed to equip veteran-owned small businesses with the skills, relationships, and readiness needed to compete and succeed in federal contracting and supplier ecosystems.
Pursuit supports veteran business journeys
Pursuit is proud to serve the veterans who have done so much for our country. As a leading community-focused lender, we offer veteran loans and insightful resources to support your success. If you’re a veteran interested in starting a business, or have launched and are looking to grow, please contact us today!
We have a long and successful history of serving veterans and their families, and we’d love to help you, too
