Key Takeaways
- VOSB/SDVOSB certification — now through SBA VetCert; unlocks billions in set-aside contracts at the VA and government-wide; must own 51%+ and manage day-to-day operations
- DOD SBIR — up to $275K Phase I, $1.8M Phase II; DOD actively encourages VOSB/SDVOSB SBIR applicants; free help available at VBOCs
- SBA Boots to Business — free entrepreneurship training on military installations; available to transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses
- 22 VBOCs nationwide — SBA-funded centers providing free business training, mentoring, and federal contracting assistance; find yours at sba.gov/local-assistance
- Private grants: StreetShares Foundation $4K, Pat Tillman Foundation scholarships, V-WISE for women veterans — plus most states have dedicated veteran business programs
| Program | Type | Amount | Who Qualifies |
|---|---|---|---|
| VA VOSB Set-Asides | Contract set-aside | $30B+ VA spend/yr | Certified VOSB/SDVOSB |
| DOD SBIR Phase I | R&D Grant | Up to $275K | Veteran-owned small businesses |
| DOD SBIR Phase II | R&D Grant | Up to $1.8M | Phase I graduates |
| SBA Express Loan (Veterans Advantage) | Reduced-fee loan | Up to $500K | Veteran-owned businesses |
| StreetShares Foundation | Private grant | $4,000 | Veteran entrepreneurs |
| State Programs (TX, CA, NY, IL) | Grant / assistance | Varies by state | Veteran-owned businesses |
Summary
There are 1.9 million veteran-owned businesses in the US, employing over 5 million people. The federal government has created a dedicated ecosystem of programs to support veteran entrepreneurs — including contracting set-asides worth billions, free business development resources, R&D grants, and state-level programs. The biggest financial opportunity for most veteran entrepreneurs is VOSB certification, which unlocks access to set-aside contracts far exceeding what typical grant programs offer.
VOSB/SDVOSB Certification: The Highest-Value Step
The single most financially impactful action a veteran entrepreneur can take is obtaining Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) or Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) certification. As of January 2023, certification is handled by the SBA through the VetCert program at veterans.certify.sba.gov — no longer through the VA's VIP database.
The VA's Veterans First Contracting Program sets aside VA contracts exclusively for VOSBs and SDVOSBs. The VA spent over $30 billion with veteran-owned businesses in FY2025 — by far the largest source of veteran business revenue in the federal system. Government-wide, there is a statutory 3% set-aside goal for SDVOSBs across all federal agencies. Eligibility requirements: veteran must own 51% or more, control day-to-day management, and provide a DD-214. For SDVOSB, a VA service-connected disability rating is also required. Certification is free and typically takes 60–90 days. Once certified, search for opportunities at sam.gov and vetbiz.va.gov.
SBIR/STTR Grants for Veteran-Owned Tech Businesses
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are the primary federal mechanism for non-dilutive R&D grants for small businesses, and veteran-owned companies are fully eligible. DOD is the largest SBIR funder ($2B+/year) and the National Defense Authorization Act includes provisions specifically encouraging DOD to increase SBIR awards to VOSB and SDVOSB companies. This means veteran-owned tech companies have a genuine structural advantage when competing for DOD SBIR awards in defense-relevant technology areas.
Phase I awards provide $150,000–$275,000 for 6-month feasibility studies. Phase II awards provide $750,000–$1.8 million for two-year full R&D projects. Phase I applicants need no prior government experience. Free SBIR application assistance — including proposal review, topic matching, and commercialization planning — is available at no cost through the 22 Veteran Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs) and 900+ Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) nationwide. Apply and search open solicitations at sbir.gov. For DOD-specific subtopics, search at dodsbirsttr.mil.
SBA Programs for Veteran Entrepreneurs
Boots to Business
Free SBA entrepreneurship education program offered on military installations during the Transition Assistance Program (TAP). The curriculum covers business fundamentals, business plan development, market research, and how to access capital including grants and SBA loans. A follow-on 8-week online course deepens skills in operations, finance, and growth. Available to transitioning service members, veterans of all eras, and military spouses. Register at boots2business.org — no cost, no obligation.
Veteran Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs)
The SBA funds 22 VBOCs nationwide that provide free one-on-one business training, mentoring, SBIR application assistance, and help with federal contracting including VOSB certification. Services include business plan development, financial projections, marketing strategy, and loan application support. VBOCs also run pre-business workshops and entrepreneurship training events. Find your nearest VBOC at sba.gov/local-assistance — services are free and there is no income or business stage requirement.
SBA Veterans Advantage Loans
SBA Express Loans for veteran-owned businesses come with reduced upfront guarantee fees — a significant cost savings on loans up to $500,000. While not a grant, SBA loans offer more flexible terms and lower rates than conventional business financing. Veteran entrepreneurs who have completed Boots to Business or worked with a VBOC typically have stronger loan applications. Ask your SBA lender about Veterans Advantage when applying.
State Grant Programs for Veterans
Most states have dedicated veteran business development programs, many with grant components or no-interest loan pools. Notable examples:
- Texas: Texas Veterans Commission Business Assistance Program provides grant-funded consulting and access to capital programs for veteran-owned businesses.
- California: CalVet Business Resources provides referrals to financing, procurement preferences on state contracts, and the California Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) certification for state procurement set-asides.
- New York: Division of Veterans' Services provides counseling and connects veteran entrepreneurs to state and federal programs. New York also has procurement preferences for veteran-owned businesses on state contracts.
- Illinois: Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs Business Development programs and ILVET certification for state procurement preferences.
- Florida, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Georgia: All have state-level VOSB certification programs that parallel federal certification and provide preferences on state government contracts.
Many states also offer property tax exemptions for disabled veteran homeowners and procurement preferences for veteran-owned businesses that reduce effective operating costs. Contact your state's Department of Veterans Affairs or VBOC for a current list of available programs.
Private Grants and Resources for Veteran Entrepreneurs
Several private organizations offer grants, scholarships, and funding specifically for veteran entrepreneurs:
- StreetShares Foundation: $4,000 veteran business grants awarded quarterly. Apply at streetsharesfoundation.org.
- Pat Tillman Foundation: Scholarships of up to $11,000/year for veteran scholars, including those pursuing business and entrepreneurship degrees. Application opens annually in January.
- Hivers and Strivers: Angel investment fund focused exclusively on startups founded by U.S. military academy graduates. Provides seed-stage funding for technology and product companies.
- V-WISE (Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship): 15-day online entrepreneurship training + 3-day conference for women veterans and military spouses. Coordinated by SBA and Syracuse University's Institute for Veterans and Military Families.
- Coalition to Salute America's Heroes: Emergency financial assistance and transition resources for severely injured veterans and their families.
- Warrior-Scholar Project: Academic bootcamps to help veterans transition to college — foundational for veterans pursuing business education before launching companies.