🇺🇸 Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988, Press 1 | Text: 838255 | Chat Now
$30B+ in Federal Set-Asides Annually

VETERAN SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCES

From startup funding to federal contracts, veterans have access to powerful business programs. The SBA and VA offer loans, training, mentoring, and contracting set-asides exclusively for veteran entrepreneurs.

Visit SBA Veteran Business Portal →

PROGRAMS & RESOURCES

Loans, training, certification, and contracting opportunities for veteran business owners

🏦

SBA Veteran Business Loans

The Small Business Administration offers several loan programs with favorable terms for veteran-owned businesses, including reduced fees and competitive interest rates.

Learn More →

Key Details

  • ✓SBA 7(a) loans up to $5 million for veteran businesses
  • ✓SBA Express loans up to $500,000 with faster processing
  • ✓Community Advantage loans for underserved communities
  • ✓SBA Microloans up to $50,000 for startup costs
  • ✓Fee relief programs for veteran borrowers
🎖️

Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) Certification

The SBA certifies Veteran-Owned Small Businesses and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses, opening access to sole-source and set-aside federal contracts.

Learn More →

Key Details

  • ✓VOSB certification for veteran-owned businesses
  • ✓SDVOSB certification for service-disabled veteran owners
  • ✓Access to federal contracting set-asides ($30B+ annually)
  • ✓Sole-source contracts up to $5 million
  • ✓SBA Veteran Small Business Certification program (VetCert)
🎓

Boots to Business (B2B)

A free entrepreneurship training program offered by the SBA as part of the DoD Transition Assistance Program. Teaches business fundamentals to transitioning service members.

Learn More →

Key Details

  • ✓Free 2-day introductory course during TAP
  • ✓Boots to Business Reboot for veterans who already separated
  • ✓8-week online course for deeper learning
  • ✓Business plan development assistance
  • ✓Mentoring and networking opportunities
📊

Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC)

The SBA funds 28 Veterans Business Outreach Centers across the country that provide free business development services including training, counseling, and mentoring.

Learn More →

Key Details

  • ✓28 centers across the United States
  • ✓Free one-on-one business counseling
  • ✓Business plan development workshops
  • ✓Feasibility analysis for new ventures
  • ✓Ongoing mentoring and technical assistance
🤝

SCORE Mentorship

SCORE is an SBA resource partner that provides free mentoring from experienced business professionals. They have dedicated veteran mentorship programs nationwide.

Learn More →

Key Details

  • ✓Free one-on-one mentoring from experienced professionals
  • ✓Free business workshops and webinars
  • ✓Online courses and resource library
  • ✓300+ chapters across the country
  • ✓Veteran-specific mentoring programs
🏗️

Federal Contracting Opportunities

The federal government sets aside billions in contracts specifically for veteran-owned businesses. The VA also has set-aside programs specifically for SDVOSB firms.

Learn More →

Key Details

  • ✓3% federal contracting goal for SDVOSBs
  • ✓VA set-aside contracts for Veterans First program
  • ✓GSA Schedule for veteran-owned businesses
  • ✓Subcontracting opportunities with large prime contractors
  • ✓SAM.gov registration for government contracting
🎖️

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Certification

SDVOSB certification unlocks sole-source and set-aside contracts that no other business can bid on. Since January 2023 all SDVOSB certification runs through the SBA rather than the VA, under a single unified application.

Learn More →

Key Details

  • ✓Requires a service-connected disability rating from the VA
  • ✓Veteran must own at least 51% and control daily operations
  • ✓Certified through SBA at veterans.certify.sba.gov
  • ✓Unlocks sole-source awards up to $4 million (or $7 million for manufacturing)
  • ✓Required for VA "Veterans First" contracting preference
  • ✓Certification lasts three years before renewal
🔬

SBIR / STTR Research Grants

The Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs award non-dilutive grant funding — money you do not repay and that costs you no equity — to small firms doing federally aligned R&D. Eleven federal agencies participate, and the DoD is the largest.

Learn More →

Key Details

  • ✓Phase I awards typically $50,000–$300,000 for feasibility work
  • ✓Phase II awards commonly $750,000–$2,000,000 to develop the prototype
  • ✓Phase III commercialization uses non-SBIR funds and can be sole-sourced
  • ✓Non-dilutive: no equity given up and no repayment
  • ✓DoD, NASA, NIH, DOE, and NSF all run their own solicitations
  • ✓Business must be for-profit, U.S.-based, and under 500 employees

GET STARTED TODAY

Register on SAM.gov

Required for all federal contracting opportunities

Find a VBOC Near You

Get free business counseling and mentoring

SBA Funding Programs

Explore loans, grants, and investment opportunities

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Common questions about SBA loans, SDVOSB certification, and veteran business grants

What is the difference between VOSB and SDVOSB certification?+
A Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) is at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more veterans. A Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) adds the requirement that the controlling owner has a service-connected disability rating from the VA. SDVOSB is the more valuable designation because the federal government has a 3% government-wide contracting goal for SDVOSBs and agencies can award them sole-source contracts. Both are certified through the SBA at veterans.certify.sba.gov.
Does the SBA make loans directly to veterans?+
No. The SBA does not lend money itself — it guarantees a portion of loans made by participating banks, credit unions, and community lenders, which reduces the lender's risk and makes approval easier. You apply through the lender, not the SBA. The SBA Veterans Advantage program waives or reduces the upfront guaranty fee on SBA Express loans for businesses at least 51% veteran-owned, which can save thousands on a larger loan.
Is Boots to Business really free?+
Yes. Boots to Business is delivered at no cost through the Transition Assistance Program on military installations worldwide, and the follow-on Boots to Business Reboot is open to veterans, National Guard and Reserve members, and military spouses at any point after service — not just at transition. The two-day introductory course and the six-week online follow-up are both free.
Do I need a disability rating to qualify for veteran business programs?+
Only for SDVOSB certification and its associated set-asides. SBA loan programs, Boots to Business, Veteran Business Outreach Centers, SCORE mentorship, and SBIR/STTR grants are all open to veterans regardless of disability rating. If you are not sure what your combined rating is, or whether you should file for one, the free VA disability rating calculator on this site will estimate it using the VA whole person method.
What does a Veteran Business Outreach Center actually do for me?+
VBOCs provide free one-on-one business counseling, help writing and stress-testing a business plan, financial projections and loan-package preparation, and training on government contracting. There are VBOCs covering every state and territory, and the counseling is not time-limited — many veteran business owners work with the same counselor for years as the business grows.

EXPLORE MORE VETERAN RESOURCES

Small business support is just one of many resources available to veterans.

VA Disability Rating Calculator →Employment ResourcesBack to VetPortal USA Home
★Transition