There are 2.5 million veteran-owned businesses in the United States, employing nearly 5 million people and generating over $1.14 trillion in receipts. The military produces some of the most skilled entrepreneurs in the country — with leadership training, discipline under pressure, and team-building experience that most business schools can't replicate.
The programs below recognize this. They exist specifically to channel capital and resources to veteran entrepreneurs who have already sacrificed for their country.
Veteran-owned businesses have a 5-year survival rate of 72% — compared to 50% for non-veteran-owned businesses. Military training in discipline, systems, and leadership translates directly to business success.
| Program | Award/Benefit | Eligibility | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| SBA Veterans Advantage | Reduced loan fees on SBA 7(a) | Veteran, honorable discharge | Through SBA lenders |
| Boots to Business | Free entrepreneurship training | Active duty, veterans, spouses | sba.gov/boots-to-business |
| StreetShares Foundation | $5,000-$25,000 grants | Veteran entrepreneur, U.S. | streetsharesfoundation.org |
| Hivers & Strivers | $25,000-$250,000 equity | Military academy graduates | hiversandstrivers.com |
| Wounded Warrior Project | Up to $25,000 | Combat-wounded veterans | woundedwarriorproject.org |
| VETrepreneur of the Year | $10,000 + visibility | Veteran entrepreneur | Annual competition |
| NVBDC Certification | Corporate contract access | Veteran-owned businesses | nvbdc.org |
| Patriot Express (SBA) | Up to $350,000 loan | Veterans, active duty spouses | SBA-affiliated lenders |
| SDVOSB Certification | Federal contracting preference | Service-disabled veterans | vetbiz.gov |
| Community Development Lenders | $500-$250,000 microloans | Veterans in underserved areas | Local CDFI offices |
The Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) certification is one of the most powerful business designations available. Federal agencies have a goal to award 3% of all contracting dollars to SDVOSB-certified businesses — that's over $15 billion annually in set-aside contracts. If your business provides services that the federal government buys (IT, facilities management, professional services, construction, manufacturing), SDVOSB certification can transform your revenue.
To qualify: you must be a veteran with a service-connected disability (VA rating of 0% or higher), own 51%+ of the business, and control day-to-day operations. Register at SAM.gov and apply for SDVOSB status at SBA's certification portal.
Boots to Business is a free entrepreneurship training program for transitioning service members and veterans, funded by the SBA. The two-day Introduction to Entrepreneurship course is available at military installations during TAP, and the follow-on online course is available to all veterans. More than 200,000 service members have gone through the program.
Use Boots to Business even if you already have business experience. The SBA network access and exposure to other veteran entrepreneurs is valuable beyond the curriculum itself.
Step 1: Get your DD-214. Your Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty is required for virtually every veteran-specific program. Make sure you have certified copies.
Step 2: Register at SAM.gov if you're interested in federal contracting (SDVOSB). This is free and mandatory for federal contracts.
Step 3: Connect with your local SBDC or SCORE chapter. Both have veteran-specific advisors who know every current local program and can guide your application strategy.
Step 4: Apply for StreetShares and Wounded Warrior Project grants if you qualify — these are among the most accessible cash grants specifically for veteran entrepreneurs.
Step 5: Consider SBA Veterans Advantage for your loan needs. The reduced guarantee fees can save $3,000-$15,000 on SBA loans compared to standard rates.
"I left the Army after 12 years and bought a landscaping business using an SBA Veterans Advantage loan. The reduced fees saved me $8,000. Then I got SDVOSB certified and landed a $2M federal facilities contract in year two. That wouldn't have happened without the veteran programs." — Veteran entrepreneur, Virginia Beach VA
Find out which veteran-specific programs you qualify for and get a personalized action plan.
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