As an integral part of American freedom, veterans deserve all the assistance that’s available to help them start and expand their businesses. Transitioning from a military career into a business career has its own set of unique challenges, which several government and non-profit organizations try to address through various resources. Below we’ve assembled various organizations offering programs specifically for veterans, service-disabled veterans, and national guard members.
Small Business Administration (SBA)
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Office of Veterans Business Development (OVBD) – for the administration of small business programs for Veterans, Service-Disabled Veterans, Reserve Component Members, and their Dependents or Survivors. OVBD has programs and services to assist existing and aspiring veteran entrepreneurs such as training, grants, counseling and mentorship, and federal procurement programs for Veteran-Owned and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses.
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Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Program - the federal government's awards at least 3% of all federal contracting dollars to service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses each year.
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Boots to Business - entrepreneurial education and training program offered as part of the Department of Defense's Transition Assistance Program (TAP). Provides an overview of business ownership for transitioning service members (including National Guard and Reserve) and their spouses.
National Center for Veteran Institute for Procurement
National Center for Veteran Institute for Procurement is a veteran entrepreneurship program that specifically addresses federal procurement.
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START Program - 3-day certification program designed for veteran-owned businesses that want to enter or expand their business growth into the federal marketplace through best business practices.
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GROW Program - 3-day certification program designed for veteran-owned small businesses to increase their ability to win government contracts.
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INTERNATIONAL Program – 3-day certification program designed for veteran-owned small businesses that want to enter and/or expand their Federal and commercial contracting opportunities overseas.
US Department of Veterans Affairs
Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University (IVMF)
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EBV Program - offers cutting edge, experiential training in entrepreneurship and small business management to post-9/11 veterans and their family members in the early growth phase of their new business.
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Women Veterans Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V-WISE) - helps women veterans and female military spouses/partners learn the business skills necessary to turn an idea or start-up into a growing venture. The program includes a 15-day online course (Phase 1), 3-day entrepreneurship training event (Phase 2), and ongoing mentorship, training and support for graduates (Phase 3).
National Veteran Small Business Coalition (NVSBC)
The NVSBC ensures that veteran small businesses are given first consideration for federal prime and subcontract procurement opportunities.
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govmates - facilitates introductions for government contractors seeking partners, usually based upon capabilities, customer past performance, set-asides or other contract-specific needs.
US Chamber of Commerce Foundation “Hiring Our Heroes” Program
This program initiative to help veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses find meaningful employment opportunities.
Bunker in a Box
Bunker in a Box is a Business educational tool Veteran Entrepreneurship Challenge
US Department of Labor
VetFran
VetFran provides franchising opportunities for veterans
