Resources for Veteran-Owned Businesses

You served your country and now you’re ready for a new deployment—owning a small business. The Small Business Administration (SBA) reports that 9 percent of all U.S. companies are veteran owned. You have the skills and discipline to be successful, but running a small business isn’t easy—for anyone. Luckily there are funding and training programs available for veteran-owned businesses. Here are some resources to help you start and grow your own small business.

Funding Programs

  • Veteran’s Advantage Loans – Offers guarantees for loans up to $350k for businesses that are 51 percent owned by veterans or military spouses.
  • Street Shares – A partnership with Fit Small Business for loans up to $100k that can be used for inventory, expansion, or working capital needs. However, you must be in business for at least one year.
  • Veteran’s Opportunity Fund – Venture capital source that invests up to $3 million in high-growth, veteran-owned businesses on the east coast with a focus on healthcare, technology, and business services.
  • Hivers & Shivers – An angel investment group that focuses on early stage start-up ventures from graduates of U. S. Military Academies.

New Business Development

  • Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Program – This program gives favored status to service-disabled vets when it comes to awarding federal contracts.
  • Veteran Institute for Procurement – Connects government agencies and contractors to graduates of the Veteran Institute for Procurement.
  • Veteran Entrepreneurial Portal – U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website offering a range of information, including Federal government contracting programs and a wizard that helps locate opportunities that align with your small business.
  • VetFran – Connect with franchisors who offer a reduced franchise fee to veterans. Also provides guidance on finding the best franchise for your needs.
  • 21Gun Salute – Helps service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses find their markets. Aims to meet or exceed the 3 percent contracting goals for disabled vets.

Training Programs

  • Boots to Business (B2B) – Entrepreneurial training program for transitioning service members and their spouses. It provides an overview of business start-up and early management. The Boots to Business Reboot program is available to vets from all eras.
  • Launch Lab – 12-week training program designed to help military vets who want to start their own business. An online version (Bunker in A Box) is available to active military.
  • Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V-WISE) – Program for women veterans and female military spouses. Online training and ongoing support are included.
  • Entrepreneurial Boot Camp for Veterans (EBV) – Higher-education level training for post-9/11 veterans and military family members in a caretaker role for vets with service-connected disabilities. Three-phase program with online training, an on-site residency and ongoing support. Offered at no cost.
  • Patriot Boot Camp – Three-day entrepreneurship boot camp for active-duty military, veterans, and spouses building technology companies. It provides free education, training and mentorship.
  • Veteran’s Business Resource Center – Free counseling and online training to start a business. Transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses are eligible.
Get TheWire Delivered to Your Inbox

The trends, insights, and solutions you need to grow your business.

By signing up, you’re subscribing to our monthly email newsletter, The Wire. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Your information stays safe with us. Learn more about our privacy policy.