There are a number of programs and services from the government and non-profit organizations specifically designed to help veterans start and grow their businesses.
General Information Guides
To get started, first read through the Veteran-Owned Business Guide, where you’ll find information for veterans looking to start and finance their business, as well as information on government contracting opportunities. Additionally, the brief article “From Military Service to Entrepreneur – Tools for the Veteran-Owned Small Business” summarizes some of the general business guides, financing options, incentives, and other resources available to help veteran-owned businesses succeed.
- Registering As a Veteran-Owned Business
“How do I register as a veteran-owned business?” is one of the most commonly asked questions by new or aspiring veteran business owners. Though there is no formal government registration process, there are other opportunities for you and your business that you can self-certify for. - Veteran Affairs Center for Veterans Enterprise
A website from the Department of Veteran Affairs, dedicated to assisting veterans in starting and building businesses.
Financing Resources
There are a number of low-interest loan programs specifically for veterans and members of the military community to help them obtain business financing. Additional financing opportunities are available in the Veteran-Owned Business Guide.
- Patriot Express Pilot Loan Initiative
Provides financial assistance for veterans and members of the military community wanting to establish or expand small businesses. - Wisconsin Dept of Veteran Affairs – Personal Loan Program
Veterans who meet military service and state residency requirements may apply the proceeds to starting or expanding a small business. - Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan
This loan program provides funds to eligible small businesses to meet its ordinary and necessary operating expenses that it could have met, but is unable to meet, because an essential employee was “called-up” to active duty in their role as a military reservist.
While the federal government does not provide grants to veterans or any other aspiring business owner for the purpose of starting or expanding a business, there are some grants available to non profits that provide assistance to veterans.
- Grant Program for Non Profit Housing Providers for Homeless Veterans
The Department of Veteran Affairs’ Homeless offers a grant and per diem program to non profits that facilitate permanent, transitional, or temporary housing and ongoing case management and treatment services for homeless veterans. - Additionally, visit the Loans and Grants Search Tool to get a full list of grant, loan, and venture capital programs for which you might qualify.
Government Contracting Assistance
Federal, state and local governments offer businesses the opportunity to sell billions of dollars worth of products and services. Many government agencies require that some percentage of the procurements be set aside for small businesses, including veteran-owned businesses.
Additionally, you may want to consider your state procurement agency to register as a contractor and find and bid on opportunities. For more information, read this brief article about Getting Started in State and Local Government Contracting.
- SBA’s Office of Veteran Business Development
SBA provides training, counseling and assistance to veteran and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses. - Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses: Contracting Guidance
Information for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses on how to do business with the federal government. - Certification for Veteran-Owned Businesses
This brief article clarifies the misconceptions around registering as a Veteran-Owned business for contracting opportunities, and provides resources for further assistance. - Doing Business with the DOD
The Department of Defense set aside over 22% of its prime contracts to small business and over 37% of its sub-contracting opportunities. This doesn’t even take into account the set asides given to small businesses owned by veterans, women, minorities and disadvantaged businesses.
Employing Veterans – Information for Employers
Are you looking to hire high-quality employees? Are you looking for hiring incentives? If so, you may be interested in recruiting and hiring veterans and disabled employees. Read this brief article to learn how to enhance your workforce and save money by hiring veterans.
- Become a Hire Vets First Employer
Information on how employers can show support for the HireVetsFirst program. - Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) Advisor
Helps veterans and employers understand employee eligibility and job entitlements, employer obligations, benefits and remedies under the Act.
About the Author
Hello, and welcome to the Business.gov Community. I am a consultant for the U.S. government, supporting the Business Gateway program. Several of my family members own their own businesses, and I’m interested in learning how others in the small business community are doing.
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