Government Resources

Small Business Administration (SBA) – Office of Veterans Business Development

• Website: sba.gov/ovbd

• What It Offers: Grants, loans, business plan support, training programs, and access to Veteran Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs).

• Bonus: Offers Boots to Business & Reboot programs for transitioning service members.

Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs)

• What It Offers: Free business counseling, business plan workshops, mentorship, and training.

• Locate a center: sba.gov/local-assistance

VA Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU)

• Website: va.gov/osdbu

• What It Offers: Access to VA contracts, free training, and resources for veteran certification.

• Programs: Direct access to government procurement opportunities via VIP (Veteran Institute for Procurement).

Certifications (For Federal & State Contracts)

VetBiz / System for Award Management (SAM)

• Website: sam.gov

• Purpose: Register your business for government contracts.

Veteran Small Business Certification (VetCert) – SBA

• Website: certify.sba.gov

• What It Offers: Certify your business as a Veteran-Owned or Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB/SDVOSB) to compete for federal set-asides.

Mentorship & Support

SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives)

• Website: score.org

• What It Offers: FREE 1-on-1 mentorship from experienced business professionals and entrepreneurs, plus free webinars and templates.

American Corporate Partners (ACP)

• Website: acp-usa.org

• What It Offers: One-on-one mentorship with executives from major corporations for 12 months—focused on entrepreneurship or career development.

Bunker Labs

• Website: bunkerlabs.org

• What It Offers: Veteran-led incubator for early-stage startups, free online programs, networking, pitch events, and funding prep.

Free Business Tools & Templates

HubSpot for Startups – Veterans Program

• Website: hubspot.com/startups/veterans

• What It Offers: CRM tools, sales/marketing templates, and up to 90% off HubSpot products.

Google Workspace for Nonprofits or Startups

• Website: workspace.google.com

• What It Offers: Business email, Drive, Sheets, Docs – free tier for eligible organizations.

Canva for Design

• Website: canva.com

• What It Offers: Free templates for logos, presentations, flyers, and social media content.

Funding & Pitch Opportunities

StreetShares Foundation

• Website: streetsharesfoundation.org

• What It Offers: Veteran-focused pitch competitions, grants, and funding for military entrepreneurs.

Warrior Rising

• Website: warriorrising.org

• What It Offers: Free training, mentorship, business showers (starter grants), and a Veteran Business Accelerator.

Marketing & Promotion Support

Veteran-Owned Business Directory

• Website: veteranownedbusiness.com

• What It Offers: Free listing for Veteran-owned businesses to boost visibility and connect with customers.

BuyVeteran.com (VetFran / IFA)

• Website: buyveteran.com

• What It Offers: Free marketing directory to list your products/services.

Local Chambers of Commerce – Veterans Council

• Some local chambers offer Veteran business spotlights, marketing grants, and events for free exposure.

Learning & Digital Marketing Resources

Google Digital Garage (Free Online Marketing Training)

• Website: learndigital.withgoogle.com

• What It Offers: Free digital marketing courses including SEO, Ads, and online presence building.

Meta Blueprint (Facebook & Instagram Marketing)

• Website: facebook.com/business/learn

• What It Offers: Free certification and lessons in social media marketing.

LinkedIn Learning (Free for Vets via Libraries & VBOCs)

• Access courses on leadership, marketing, business strategy, and entrepreneurship.