Resources for Veteran-Owned Small Businesses: Training to Contracts

If you are a veteran, service member or military spouse starting or growing a business, you have access to free training, counseling, certification and federal contracting programs that most entrepreneurs do not. This guide explains the main ones in plain English: SBA’s Boots to Business course, Veterans Business Outreach Centers, the Veteran Small Business Certification (VetCert) program, funding options and the basics of selling to the federal government, with a step-by-step plan for your first 90 days.

Start here: the veteran business resource map

The programs overlap, and the names are confusing. Here is the whole picture first.

Resource	What it does	Who it’s for	Cost
Boots to Business (B2B)	Two-day introductory entrepreneurship course, plus an optional online follow-on	Transitioning service members, Guard and Reserve, military spouses	Free at participating installations
Boots to Business Reboot	Version of the course for those without installation access	Veterans and spouses off-base	Free
Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs)	Counseling, training, business plan help, referrals	Veterans, service members, military spouses	Free
Veterans Business Development Officers (VBDOs)	Local SBA staff who point veterans to programs	Veteran entrepreneurs	Free
VetCert (SBA certification)	Certifies VOSBs and SDVOSBs for federal contracting programs	Businesses at least 51% owned and controlled by veterans	Free to apply
SBDCs, SCORE, Women’s Business Centers	General small-business counseling and mentoring	All entrepreneurs, including veterans	Mostly free
IVMF programs (Syracuse University)	Bootcamps and training such as the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV)	Veterans and families; some programs focus on post-9/11 veterans	Check program pages

SBA’s hub page for veteran small business resources and certifications links to most of these, along with a locator for your nearest VBDO.

Boots to Business: the free starting course

Boots to Business is SBA’s entrepreneurship training program, delivered as part of the military’s transition process. According to SBA’s Boots to Business page:

• It is open to service members, including National Guard and Reserve, and military spouses.
• The foundational course, “Introduction to Entrepreneurship,” is a two-day, in-person class that gives an overview of business ownership.
• Graduates can take an optional online follow-on course, “B2B: Revenue Readiness,” delivered with Mississippi State University.
• Courses are delivered mainly by SBA district office staff and VBOCs, with support from SBDCs, SCORE and Women’s Business Centers. Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) delivers it at select installations outside the continental U.S.
• It is free at participating installations.
• If you no longer have installation access, Boots to Business Reboot offers the training in the community.

Do this: If you are within a year or so of separating, sign up through your installation’s transition program even if your business idea is vague. The course is designed to help you test whether self-employment fits you before you commit savings to it.

Veterans Business Outreach Centers: free one-on-one help

VBOCs are SBA-funded centers, usually run by universities or nonprofits, that work specifically with veterans, service members and military spouses. Typical services include business plan reviews, feasibility analysis, help finding financing, training workshops and referrals to other resources. VBOCs are also the lead hosts for Boots to Business, Boots to Business Reboot and the Military Spouse Pathway to Business course.

In an August 2024 announcement, SBA said it was expanding the VBOC program from 28 to 31 locations, covering all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and several U.S. territories, and that VBOCs served more than 53,000 clients in fiscal year 2023. Check SBA’s resource partner pages for the current list and the center that covers your area.

How to get the most from a VBOC meeting

1. Bring a one-page summary: what you sell, to whom, at what price, and what you need help with.
2. Bring numbers, even rough ones: startup costs, monthly expenses, savings you can invest.
3. Ask for one specific outcome, such as “review my cash flow forecast” or “tell me if a 7(a) loan makes sense.”
4. Ask about other veterans in your industry they can introduce you to.
5. Schedule a follow-up before you leave.

VetCert: certification for veteran-owned businesses

If you want to sell to the federal government, certification matters. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 moved certification of veteran-owned businesses from the Department of Veterans Affairs to SBA, effective January 1, 2023. The program is called the Veteran Small Business Certification, or VetCert.

Who qualifies

• VOSB: A small business at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more veterans.
• SDVOSB: A small business at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more veterans with a service-connected disability rated by the VA.
• There is an exception allowing a spouse or permanent caregiver to help manage the business when a permanently and totally disabled veteran cannot manage daily operations.
• The business must meet SBA size standards for its industry.

The detailed rules are in 13 CFR Part 128. SBA’s veterans page notes that applications go through the SBA certifications portal, which includes checklists and an eligibility check.

What certification gets you

• SDVOSBs can compete for sole-source and set-aside contracts across the federal government.
• VOSBs and SDVOSBs can pursue set-asides and sole-source awards at the VA under its Vets First program, which requires SBA certification.
• Certified firms may access federal surplus personal property through state agencies for surplus property, subject to conditions.

Self-certification has ended for most purposes

According to SBA, self-certification for subcontracting and goaling purposes was allowed until December 22, 2024. Firms that applied before that date keep their eligibility while their application is pending. VA set-asides already required SBA certification. If you plan to market yourself as an SDVOSB or VOSB to federal buyers or prime contractors, get certified.

Federal contracting basics for veteran-owned firms

The federal government is the largest buyer in the world, and it has explicit goals for veteran businesses. SBA states that the government aims to award at least 5% of all federal contracting dollars to SDVOSBs each year. That goal was raised from 3% by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024.

That said, contracting is a long game. Plan for months of preparation before your first award.

Step	What to do	Tip
1. Pick your codes	Identify the NAICS codes that describe your work	Your size standard depends on these codes
2. Register	Register your entity at SAM.gov, the official system for federal awards	Registration is free; beware of companies charging to “register” you
3. Certify	Apply for VetCert (and other certifications you qualify for)	Keep ownership and management documents organized
4. Research buyers	Search past awards and current opportunities on SAM.gov	Look for agencies that already buy what you sell
5. Start small	Target small purchases and subcontracts with prime contractors	Past performance helps you win bigger work later
6. Get help	Use your VBOC, VBDO and local procurement assistance	Free help is available; ask before paying a consultant

One illustrative path: a veteran-owned landscaping company in Virginia might register in SAM.gov, get SDVOSB certification, start by subcontracting grounds maintenance for a larger prime on a federal facility contract, and use that past performance to bid on its own set-aside contracts two years later. Timelines vary widely by industry and region.

Funding: what is actually available

Many veterans search for “veteran small business grants” and find ads promising free money. The reality is more ordinary, and more useful to know early.

• SBA-guaranteed loans: SBA’s 7(a), 504 and microloan programs are open to veteran-owned businesses through participating lenders. Your VBOC can help you prepare a loan package.
• Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loans (MREIDL): These cover operating expenses a small business can’t meet because an essential employee was called to active duty as a reservist. SBA lists a maximum of $2 million, and applications are due within a set period after the employee’s release from active duty. Check SBA’s current terms before applying.
• Pitch competitions and accelerators: Some universities, nonprofits and corporations run veteran-focused competitions with cash prizes. Research each one; prize amounts and eligibility vary.
• Personal savings and family: Common, but set a firm limit on how much you will risk.
• Revenue first: Service businesses can often start with pre-sold work, which reduces how much you need to borrow.

Not this: Paying someone for a “guaranteed grant list” or “grant writing package.” SBA says plainly that it does not provide grants for starting or expanding a business; its grants go to nonprofits, resource partners and educational organizations.

Also worth knowing if you hire: the federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit can apply when you hire certain veterans. Rules and amounts change, so confirm current details with the Department of Labor or a tax professional.

Other programs worth knowing

IVMF entrepreneurship programs

Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans and Military Families runs entrepreneurship training, including the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV) for post-9/11 veterans, and other programs for military families and women veterans. Application windows vary.

Military spouses

SBA offers the same resources to military spouses as to veterans, including VBOC counseling and the Military Spouse Pathway to Business course. Spouse-owned businesses do not qualify for VetCert unless they meet the veteran ownership rules, but they can use other certifications they qualify for, such as women-owned small business programs.

Local veteran networks

Many chambers of commerce, veteran service organizations and city economic development offices run veteran business networks and events. They are useful for referrals, mentors and local customers.

Your first 90 days: a checklist

1. Week 1: Write a one-page summary of your business idea, target customer and price.
2. Week 2: Sign up for Boots to Business or Reboot, and book a VBOC appointment.
3. Weeks 3 to 4: Choose a business structure, register with your state and get an EIN from the IRS (free at IRS.gov).
4. Weeks 5 to 6: Open a business bank account and set up simple bookkeeping.
5. Weeks 7 to 8: Talk to at least ten potential customers; refine your offer and pricing.
6. Weeks 9 to 10: If federal work fits, pick NAICS codes, register in SAM.gov and start your VetCert application.
7. Weeks 11 to 12: Build a basic website and Google Business Profile, then announce your launch to your network. Our guide on press release distribution for startups covers when an announcement is worth sending to media, and these press release examples show how other small companies framed their launches.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who certifies veteran-owned small businesses now?

SBA, through the Veteran Small Business Certification (VetCert) program. Certification moved from the VA to SBA on January 1, 2023.

What is the difference between a VOSB and an SDVOSB?

Both must be at least 51% owned and controlled by veterans. An SDVOSB’s qualifying owners must also have a VA-rated service-connected disability. SDVOSBs have access to set-asides across the federal government; VOSB set-asides are mainly at the VA.

Is Boots to Business free?

Yes. SBA says it is free at participating installations for service members and military spouses, and the Reboot version serves veterans in the community.

Are there SBA grants for veteran-owned startups?

No. SBA states that it does not provide grants for starting and expanding a business; its grants go to nonprofits, resource partners and educational organizations. Veterans typically use loans, savings, competitions, investment or revenue. Be wary of anyone charging for grant access.

Do I need SAM.gov registration to sell to the government?

For most federal contracts, yes. Registration at SAM.gov is free. Don’t pay third parties who imply otherwise.

Can military spouses use these resources?

Yes. SBA offers its veteran resources, including VBOC counseling, to military spouses, and Boots to Business is open to spouses as well.

You already have the hardest skills

Planning under uncertainty, leading small teams, following through when things go sideways: veterans bring all of it to business ownership. What you may not have yet is the paperwork map. Book a VBOC appointment this week, take the free course, and decide on certification only once you know whether federal customers fit your plan.

Program rules, eligibility and funding terms change. Check SBA.gov, SAM.gov and other official sources, or speak with a VBOC counselor, attorney or accountant before making decisions.