Starting a Business as a Veteran
Veterans start businesses at higher rates than civilians and lead some of the most successful firms in the country. Here is the federal infrastructure built specifically to help — most of it free.
~2.5M
Veteran-owned businesses in the US
3%
Federal SDVOSB contracting goal
~28%
Of VA contract dollars going to VOSB/SDVOSB
The four pillars
Boots to Business
Free 2-day SBA-led entrepreneurship track inside TAP. Available worldwide on every installation. The Reboot version (online + 2 weekends) serves veterans and spouses post-separation. Counts toward TAP curriculum.
Learn moreSDVOSB / VOSB certification
Set-aside contracting program for service-connected veteran-owned businesses (SDVOSB) and veteran-owned small businesses (VOSB). Federal agencies have 3% SDVOSB contracting goals. Self-certify VOSB; SDVOSB requires SBA verification.
Pre-screen your eligibilityVeteran Business Outreach Centers
~30 VBOCs nationwide offer free 1:1 business counseling, training, mentoring. Funded by SBA Office of Veterans Business Development. Find your nearest center through SBA.
Find a VBOCCapital access
No dedicated VA-issued business loans, but SBA-guaranteed 7(a) and 504 loans are open to veterans. Some lenders waive guarantee fees for SDVOSB borrowers. Hivers and Strivers, StreetShares, and PenFed Foundation also fund veteran businesses.
SBA loan optionsFederal set-aside programs
Federal agencies are required to spend a percentage of contracting dollars with small businesses in these categories. SDVOSB stacks with 8(a) and HUBZone for veterans who qualify.
51%+ owned and controlled by one or more veterans with VA-rated service-connected disability. Federal-wide 3% set-aside goal.
51%+ owned and controlled by one or more veterans (no disability requirement). VA contracts have a Vets First priority — VA spends ~28% of its contracting dollars with VOSBs/SDVOSBs.
For socially/economically disadvantaged businesses. Can stack with SDVOSB. 9-year program with sole-source authority up to $7M (services) / $4.5M (manufacturing).
Business in a designated HUBZone with 35%+ employees living in the zone. 3% federal set-aside. Stackable with SDVOSB.
Bidding starts at SAM.gov. Register there as a Unique Entity ID before you can sell to the federal government. Then use SAM contract opportunities and the GSA Schedule for matching opportunities.
First-90-days playbook
- 1
Take Boots to Business at TAP (or Reboot if already separated). Free.
- 2
Register your LLC / corp in your state. ~$50-300 + EIN from IRS (free).
- 3
Open a business bank account. Most banks waive fees for veteran-owned LLCs.
- 4
Get a Unique Entity ID at SAM.gov (free, ~10 days).
- 5
Self-certify VOSB at VetCert. Apply for SDVOSB if you have a SC rating.
- 6
Connect with your local Veteran Business Outreach Center for free 1:1 mentoring.
- 7
Build a capability statement (1-pager: NAICS codes, certifications, past performance).
- 8
Identify 3-5 federal agencies that buy what you sell. Subscribe to their FedBizOpps RSS.
Free programs & resources
IVMF / Syracuse University
Free online courses: EBV (Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities), V-WISE (women veterans), Onward to Opportunity. National scope.
Bunker Labs
Veteran founder community with cohort-based programs (Launch Lab, CEOcircle, Breakline). Now part of IVMF. National network of chapters.
VetFran (IFA)
Franchise discounts and financing for veterans from 600+ franchise brands via the International Franchise Association. Discounts run from 5-100% off franchise fees.
PTAC / APEX Accelerators
Free help winning federal, state, and local government contracts. Now branded APEX Accelerators (formerly PTAC). One in nearly every state.
PenFed Foundation Veteran Entrepreneur Investment Program
Equity investments and grant programs (Master the Mission, Veteran Business Hub) for veteran founders.
StreetShares Foundation
Grants for active duty, veteran, and military spouse business owners. Check application windows.
Military spouses — same programs apply
Boots to Business, V-WISE (Syracuse IVMF), and the bulk of free SBA programs are open to military spouses, not just service members. PCS-friendly business models (e-commerce, consulting, freelance creative) work especially well with mobile lifestyles.
Spouse resources →SBA Veterans Business Development
- SBA Answer Desk: 1-800-827-5722
- VBOC Locator: sba.gov/local-assistance/find
- Office of Veterans Business Development: sba.gov/ovbd