There are many reasons for veterans to start a business. For some, the idea of no longer having to take orders from a supervisor can be extremely appealing! Thankfully, there are TONS of resources for veteran-owned businesses, even some specifically for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSB), woman veteran-owned businesses, and active duty service members and their spouses. Some of the sources listed below offer several different services, we encourage you to take a more detailed look at their websites for more information on all of the programs they offer. We hope some of these organizations can help you in reaching your goals as a business owner!

SBA Office of Veterans Business Development: This is arguably one of the most valuable sites for a veteran looking to start a business. The SBA offers many resources on the steps to start a business, but the Office of Veterans Business Development highlights some of the best services available to veterans, service members, service member’s spouses, women veterans, National Guard and Reserve soldiers, and service-disabled veterans.

American Corporate Partners: ACP matches veterans and eligible active duty spouses with mentors to support their career goals. Some of the common mentorship goals related to small business ownership include: work-life balance, networking, and small business development. This year-long commitment can be a great way to pair you with an industry leader and mentor. Our CEO, William Evans, is currently benefiting from this mentorship program!

Bunker Labs: A non-profit network of veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs who help provide the network, tools, and resources needed for new entrepreneurs to start their own business.

Patriot Boot Camp (PBC): is a non-profit organization founded to provide active duty service members, veterans, and their spouses with access to mentors, educational programming, and a robust community of experts and peers to help them innovate and build impactful businesses.

SCORE: SCORE is a nonprofit organization that provides mentorship and educational services to veteran entrepreneurs. There are SCORE chapters all across the country, find your local chapter here.

Warrior Rising: According to their website, “Warrior Rising empowers U.S. military veterans and their immediate family members by providing them opportunities to create sustainable businesses, perpetuate the hiring of fellow American veterans, and earn their future.”

Women Veterans Alliance: A community of both online and off-line women veteran networking groups, community events, and national conferences to provide opportunities to connect and grow. Women Veterans Alliance offers career and entrepreneurship resources for female veterans.

Vets First Verification Program : The Vets First Verification Program is administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and has unique authority for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) to secure set-aside and sole source contracts for the Department of Defense and other government agencies. Verification requires an application process in order to receive the designation for veteran and disabled-veteran preference in federal contracting. It can be a lengthy process, but there are Verification Assistance Counselors available to help you navigate the paperwork. WESP Communications, LLC is a CVE-verified SDVOSB after completing the Vets First Verification process. WESP CEO William Evans is willing to help any veteran business owners looking to start the process!

Boots to Business: An educational program offered by the SBA as part of the Department of Defense Transition Assistance Program (TAP). Boots to Business offers courses to transitioning service members and their spouses at the beginning of their entrepreneurship journey as well as follow-on support.

Boots to Business – Reboot: A two-step training program that provides participants with an overview of business ownership as a career vocation, an outline and knowledge on the components of a business plan, a practical exercise in opportunity recognition, and an introduction to available public and private sector resources.

National Veterans Entrepreneurship Program (VEP): Available at Oklahoma State University, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and University of Florida, VEP offers a five-week self-study component, an intensive eight-day training program at the university, and a five month mentorship period with online peer-to-peer networking.

Revenue Readiness: Delivered by Mississippi State University, in partnership with the SBA, this is a six-week virtual classroom program to take business ideas from concept to an executable business model in a relatively short timeframe. Eligible participants will have successfully completed either Boots to Business or Reboot.

Syracuse University – Institute for Veterans and Military Families: Offers entrepreneurship programs for various stages in veterans or their spouse’s entrepreneurial journey, as well as other resources.

Veteran Institute for Procurement: A veteran entrepreneurship program that specifically addresses federal procurement. VIP offers four training programs for owners, principals, and C-level executives of VOSB/SDVOSBs.

VETRN: Provides veteran small business owners and family members the opportunity to attend a six month VETRN program, tuition free. VETRN also provides additional training and resources.

Check out the SBA’s local assistance directory to find resources close to you! Use the “Provided By” drop-down to select the type of center services you are looking for in your area. These local chapters can be a great starting point to start networking and making business connections in your area!

Hivers & Strivers: An Angel Investment Group focusing on early stage investments to support start-up companies founded and run by graduates of the U.S. Military Academies.