(Updated November 9, 2017) As part of our on-going salute to U.S. military veterans who own (or who are want to start), here is a list of Small Business Administration programs and agencies that encourage the creation and support of veteran-owned businesses. This list is a part of the SmallBusiness.com Guide to Resources for Military Veterans.
(Photo via MediaWiki Commons)
SBA Office of Veterans Business Development
Offers a number of programs and services to support and empower aspiring and existing veteran entrepreneurs and military spouses. SBA provides training and mentorship, access to capital, preparation for opportunities in federal procurement, and cultivation of connections within commercial supply chains and disaster relief assistance. Each year, SBA serves over 200,000 veterans, service disabled veterans and military spouses across the United States and at military installations around the globe.
The two-step entrepreneurial program offered by the SBA on military installations around the world as a training track of the Department of Defense (DOD) Transition Assistance Program (TAP).
Extends the entrepreneurship training offered in TAP on military installations to veterans of all eras in their communities.
Veterans Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V-WISE)
An SBA funded program provided by the Institute for Veterans and Military Families. V-WISE includes online training, a conference that harnesses the unique esprit de corps of women veterans and female military spouses, and follow-on mentoring through a community of partners.
The National Center for Veterans Institute for Procurement
Extends the entrepreneurship training offered in TAP on military installations to veterans of all eras in their communities.
Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC)
Provides entrepreneurial development services such as business training, counseling and mentoring for eligible veterans owning or considering starting a small business.
The Veteran Entrepreneur Portal (VEP) is designed to save you time with direct access to the resources necessary to guide every step of entrepreneurship. VEP makes it easier for small businesses to access federal services, regardless of its source—and quickly connects Veteran entrepreneurs to relevant ‘best-practices’ and information.
SCORE Veteran Fast Launch Initiative
The SCORE Foundation, in partnership with major corporations, offers the “Veteran Fast Launch” initiative. This program is a combined package of free software and services combined with SCORE’s mentoring program in order to help accelerate the ability of veterans and their families to start and succeed as small business owners.
SBA Operation Boots to Business Training Program
Boots to Business is the two-step entrepreneurial training program offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as a training track within the Department of Defense’s Transition Assistance Program (TAP).
SBA Veterans Business Outreach Centers
The Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) Program is designed to provide entrepreneurial development services such as business training, counseling and resource partner referrals to transitioning service members, veterans, National Guard & Reserve members and military spouses interested in starting or growing a small business. The SBA has 20 organizations participating in this cooperative agreement and serving as Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC).
(Photo: USAF Drill Team via USAF on Flickr)
Financing for Veteran-Owned Businesses
Leveraging Information and Networks to Access Capital (LINC)
This online matchmaking service, connects small business owners with nonprofit lenders that offer free financial advice and specialize in microlending, smaller loans (SBA Community Advantage program), and real estate financing (SBA 504 loan program).
Guarantees loans approved to businesses owned by veterans or military spouses during fiscal year 2017 (October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2017) will receive the benefit of its regular guaranty fee reduced by 50%, when the loan is over $150,000.
SBA Veteran’s Entrepreneurship Act of 2015
Reduces the upfront borrower fee to zero dollars for eligible veterans and military spouses for SBA Express loans up to $350,000.
(US Navy Blue Angels, Photo: on Flickr via DVIDSHUB)
Deployment
Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (MREIDL)
Provides loans up to $2 million to eligible small businesses to cover operating costs that cannot be met due to the loss of an essential employee called to active duty in the Reserves or National Guard.
(U.S. Army Golden Eagles, Photo: via armygk.com)
More resources for U.S. military veterans who own a small business or who want to start a small business can be found in the SmallBusiness.com Guide to Resources for Military Veterans.
Cover photo: U.S. Marine Corps