Veteran Entrepreneurs: Resources and Programs

Veterans own over 1.6 million businesses in the United States and generate approximately $922 billion in annual revenue, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2022 Annual Business Survey. The SBA Office of Advocacy reports that veterans represent 5.5% of all U.S. business owners as of 2024.

According to the SBA, veterans are 45% more likely to start their own business than the general population. If you are a veteran (or transitioning service member) thinking about launching a company, you have access to dedicated certifications, federal contracting set-asides, free training programs, and grant opportunities that civilian founders cannot tap.

Military training builds exactly the skills that separate successful founders from those who fail. The D'Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University found that 98% of veteran entrepreneurs report that military-developed skills helped them overcome business obstacles, according to IVMF's December 2026 testimony to the House Committee on Small Business.

Veteran-owned businesses are 5% less likely to close and have a 2% lower risk of failure compared to non-veteran peers, per the same IVMF data. Between 55% and 57% of veteran-owned firms survive at least five years, exceeding the national survival rate for small businesses.

Your military experience translates directly into operational planning, team leadership, high-pressure decision-making, and resource management. Those are not soft skills on a resume; they are the foundation of running a profitable business.

The federal government also gives you a concrete advantage. The SBA VetCert program certifies your business as a Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) or Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), unlocking access to set-aside contracts. At least 5% of all federal contracting dollars each year are reserved specifically for certified SDVOSBs.

Access to capital is the single biggest barrier for veteran entrepreneurs. The SBA has found that veteran-owned businesses tend to encounter more financing barriers than their non-veteran peers. Veterans with majority ownership are less likely to receive all the financing they apply for, despite having similar credit risk to civilian business owners.

The transition from military structure to civilian business culture is steep. The IVMF's 2022 National Survey of Military-Affiliated Entrepreneurs found that over 46% of veteran entrepreneurs said navigating business resources in their local community was difficult. Existing transition programs largely focus on employment rather than self-employment.

Black and African American veteran entrepreneurs face higher denial rates from creditors and rely more on credit cards for business funding, according to the Census Bureau. Female veteran entrepreneurs face additional systemic barriers, though the share of women veteran business owners is growing, particularly among millennial-era veterans.

A 2021 SCORE report found that veteran entrepreneurs experienced a lack of support from federal (59.4%), state (76.9%), and local (78.5%) governments during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their COVID relief applications were denied 20% to 100% more frequently than those of non-veteran business owners. If you are aware of these gaps going in, you can plan around them. Check out our guide to common first-time founder mistakes so you avoid the pitfalls.

Starting a veteran-owned business follows the same general path as any new business, but you have access to dedicated programs at every stage. Follow these five steps to go from idea to registered, funded business.

Step 1: Enroll in Boots to Business. The SBA's Boots to Business program is a free two-day entrepreneurship course offered through the DoD Transition Assistance Program. If you already separated, the Boots to Business Reboot extends the same training to veterans of all eras through local VBOCs.

Step 2: Choose your structure and register. Most veteran founders choose an LLC for liability protection and tax flexibility. Form an LLC through your state or use an LLC formation service for $0 to $500 plus state fees. Compare the tradeoffs in our sole proprietorship vs LLC guide.

Step 3: Get your EIN and open a business bank account. Apply for a free Employer Identification Number at IRS.gov. Then open a dedicated business bank account to keep your finances clean from day one.

Step 4: Apply for VetCert. Register in SAM.gov, then apply for VOSB or SDVOSB certification at the SBA VetCert portal. You need 51%+ veteran ownership, a registered small business, and proof the veteran controls daily operations. Processing currently averages about 12 days after the SBA cleared its backlog in late 2026.

Step 5: Connect with a VBOC and pursue funding. The SBA operates 31 Veterans Business Outreach Centers nationwide. These centers provide free business plan workshops, one-on-one counseling, and help you navigate loan and grant applications. Explore grants for veteran-owned businesses and startup funding options to build your capital plan.

The SBA's Office of Veterans Business Development (OVBD) is the federal government's hub for veteran entrepreneurship. OVBD oversees training, counseling, access to capital, and contracting programs specifically for veterans, service members, and military spouses.

• Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs) provide free business counseling, plan development, and mentoring at 31 locations serving every U.S. state and territory. Find your nearest center at SBA.gov/VBOC.
• Boots to Business (B2B) is the SBA's two-day entrepreneurship course offered at military installations worldwide through the DoD TAP. Boots to Business Reboot extends this to veterans of all eras.
• The V-WISE (Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship) program provides specialized training for women veterans and military spouses.
• SCORE is a nationwide network of volunteer business mentors (many are veterans) offering free one-on-one guidance. Connect at SCORE.org.
• The SBA Mentor-Protege Program pairs veteran-owned businesses with larger firms for federal contracting partnerships.
• Warrior Rising provides business training, coaching, and grants up to $20,000 for veterans and their families. It is funded in part by the SBA.
• The Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans at St. Joseph's University offers no-cost training for veteran and military family entrepreneurs.

If you are also a member of a minority group, explore our minority business resources page for additional programs. Women veterans should also check women entrepreneur resources and grants for women-owned businesses.

VOSB and SDVOSB Certification. Since January 2023, all veteran-owned businesses seeking federal sole-source or set-aside prime contracts must be certified through the SBA VetCert program. Self-certification is no longer allowed. Your business must be at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more qualifying veterans, and the veteran must hold the highest officer position.

Federal contracting thresholds. SDVOSB-certified businesses can receive sole-source awards up to $8.5 million for manufacturing and $5 million for all other requirements. The VA's Vets First program provides additional set-aside opportunities exclusively for certified VOSBs and SDVOSBs, earmarking at least 7% of VA contracts for these businesses.

SBA Veterans Advantage loans. The SBA Veterans Advantage program reduces or waives fees on SBA Express Loans up to $500,000, offering faster approvals and discounted terms. The Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan (MREIDL) provides up to $2 million for businesses affected by a key employee's deployment.

Tax considerations. There are currently no federal tax breaks specifically for VOSB or SDVOSB businesses, but several states offer reduced fees, licensing discounts, or tax credits for veteran-owned businesses. Consult a CPA familiar with veteran business programs in your state to maximize your tax advantages.

VA Vocational Rehabilitation (VR&E). If you are a disabled veteran, the VA's Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program may cover the cost of starting a business, including equipment, supplies, and training. Ask your VA counselor about the self-employment track.

For complex business structure decisions or questions about how your disability rating interacts with business ownership, consult a business attorney. For any tax-related decisions, work with a licensed CPA who understands veteran-specific programs.

You do not need expensive software to launch. These tools cover the essentials and offer strong value for early-stage veteran-owned businesses.

• ZenBusiness (from $0 + state fees) handles LLC formation and includes a free registered agent for the first year. This is the fastest way to get your business legally registered before applying for VetCert.
• Mercury (free) provides fee-free business checking with built-in financial tools. Separating your finances from day one keeps your books clean for grant reporting.
• QuickBooks (from $35/month) is the industry-standard accounting software for small businesses. It tracks income, expenses, mileage, and generates tax-ready reports.
• SCORE (free) connects you with volunteer mentors for one-on-one guidance on marketing, financial forecasting, and business strategy. Many SCORE mentors are veterans themselves.
• Legal services (varies) become important when you are structuring ownership for VetCert eligibility or drafting federal contracting agreements. Our guide compares affordable options for small businesses.

Do not wait for the perfect moment. Here are four actions you can take in the next seven days.

• Register for Boots to Business Reboot through your nearest VBOC if you have already separated from the military. It is free and available online.
• Form your LLC so you have a legal entity ready for bank accounts, contracts, and VetCert certification. Most states process filings within five business days.
• Create your SAM.gov profile at SAM.gov. This is required for both VetCert and any future federal contracting work, and the registration process can take a few weeks.
• Write a one-page business plan using our free business plan template and share it with a VBOC counselor or SCORE mentor for feedback.

Your military service prepared you for exactly this kind of mission. Explore our full how to become an entrepreneur guide and check for small business grants you qualify for right now. If you are thinking about building a lean, one-person operation first, our solopreneur guide covers how to start without hiring a team.