Last updated: September 2026
When I was getting Drakov Industries off the ground through the VR&E Self-Employment track, the hardest part wasn't finding information. It was figuring out which of the dozens of programs out there were actually worth my time.
There's a lot of support for veteran entrepreneurs, and much of it is free. There's also a lot of noise: paid "accelerators" with vague promises, grant lists full of programs that don't exist, and networking groups that never meet. This post sorts through the options by what they actually do, so you can pick two or three that fit where your business is right now.
Start with free, government-funded help
Before you pay anyone for business coaching, use the programs your taxes already fund. The Small Business Administration (SBA) runs or funds most of them, and they cost you nothing.
Boots to Business
Boots to Business is SBA's two-day introduction to entrepreneurship. It's part of the military's Transition Assistance Program, so if you're still serving, you can take it on base before you separate. Military spouses can attend too.
If you've already separated, Boots to Business Reboot offers the same training in local communities for veterans of any era, plus National Guard and Reserve members. After finishing either course, you can sign up for Boots to Business Revenue Readiness, a six-week online follow-on course that helps you turn your idea into a working business model.
Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs)
SBA funds 31 Veterans Business Outreach Centers that serve every state. A VBOC is a good first stop if you don't know where to start. They offer one-on-one counseling, workshops, and help with business plans, and they'll refer you to lenders and other SBA partners in your area. They also teach many of the Boots to Business classes.
SCORE, SBDCs, and Women's Business Centers
These are SBA's other free resource partners, and they're open to everyone, not just veterans. SCORE matches you with a volunteer mentor who has run a business, often in your industry. Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) are usually based at colleges and offer free consulting on things like financial projections and marketing. Women's Business Centers focus on women entrepreneurs.
In my experience, the best of these relationships come from finding one counselor or mentor you click with and meeting regularly, rather than attending one workshop and moving on. You can find all of them through SBA's local assistance finder.
APEX Accelerators
If you're interested in selling to the government, APEX Accelerators (formerly Procurement Technical Assistance Centers, or PTACs) provide free help with registrations, finding bids, and preparing proposals. My post on government contracting for veterans covers where they fit in.
Specialized training programs for veterans
SBA also funds several deeper training programs for specific groups of veterans. These are more intensive than Boots to Business and usually have an application process.
For service-disabled veterans, SBA's Service-Disabled Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Program funds four providers: the Veterans Entrepreneurship Program at Oklahoma State University, the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV) at St. Joseph's University, Warrior Rising, and the Veteran Entrepreneurial Training & Resource Network (VETRN). Warrior Rising and VETRN also serve family members.
For women veterans and service members, SBA's Women Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Program funds V-WISE (Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship) through Syracuse University's Institute for Veterans and Military Families, the STRIVE program at Salt Lake Community College, and ONABEN. V-WISE is also open to spouses.
For military spouses, SBA's Military Spouse Pathway to Business course is available online and in person.
For government contractors, the Veteran Institute for Procurement (VIP) offers federal contracting training for veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses.
Here's a quick way to match yourself to a program:
| If you are… | Start with |
|---|---|
| Still serving and thinking about a business | Boots to Business (through TAP) |
| A veteran of any era with an idea | Boots to Business Reboot, then Revenue Readiness |
| Not sure where to start | Your nearest Veterans Business Outreach Center |
| A service-disabled veteran | EBV, Oklahoma State VEP, Warrior Rising, or VETRN |
| A woman veteran or military spouse | V-WISE, STRIVE, or ONABEN |
| Ready to sell to the government | APEX Accelerator, then the Veteran Institute for Procurement |
| Looking for an ongoing mentor | SCORE |
Source: SBA veteran-owned business resources (sba.gov)
Nonprofit and private networks
Beyond SBA, a few established organizations offer community, incubators, and connections.
Bunker Labs, founded by veteran entrepreneurs, is now part of Syracuse University's Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF). Its best-known program, Veterans in Residence, is a 16-week incubator for veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs, with large national cohorts and local networking. It's a good fit if you've already started your business and want accountability and peers.
IVMF itself runs several of the programs above, including V-WISE, and is a good hub to explore if you want to see everything in one place.
The National Veteran Business Development Council (NVBDC) certifies veteran-owned businesses for corporate supplier programs. This is separate from SBA's federal VetCert certification. NVBDC certification helps you sell to large companies, while VetCert is what counts for federal set-asides. Corporate supplier programs have been changing, so ask potential corporate customers whether they recognize NVBDC certification before you pay for it.
Franchising can be a good path if you want a proven system. Many franchisors offer veteran discounts through the International Franchise Association's VetFran program. Always have an attorney review the Franchise Disclosure Document before you sign.
A word of caution about private programs. Some "veteran business accelerators" charge thousands of dollars for coaching you could get free from a VBOC or SCORE. Before you pay, ask what specific results past participants have gotten, and whether you can talk to a few of them.
Local and state networks
National programs are useful, but your customers and lenders are usually local. Your local chamber of commerce, your city's small business office, and any veteran business groups in your area are worth a visit.
Many states also have their own veteran-owned business certifications, separate from the federal ones. Here in Washington, for example, the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) runs a free Veteran and Servicemember Owned Business certification. State agencies have a goal to buy at least 5% from certified veteran-owned businesses. Certified businesses may also qualify for the Veteran Linked Deposit Program, which can lower the interest rate on a business loan from participating lenders by up to 2%. According to WDVA's 2025 report, more than 2,700 businesses were certified.
If you live somewhere else, check with your state's veterans affairs department or procurement office to see what's available.
Online communities
The old version of this post mentioned "mobile apps" and "digital mentorship platforms" without naming any. I've taken those out because I couldn't verify specific ones worth recommending.
Here's what I'd suggest instead. Most of the programs above run their own online communities and alumni networks, and those tend to be more useful than open social media groups because everyone in them has been through the same training. SBA also runs a free online learning platform with self-paced business courses. LinkedIn is still a practical place to find other veteran business owners in your industry and region.
Be careful in open online groups, though. They're also where people pitch paid programs and "guaranteed" grants.
About funding
The old version of this post suggested there are veteran-specific venture funds, crowdfunding categories, and grants waiting for veteran entrepreneurs. Some of that exists, but it's much smaller than it sounds, and it's a big target for scams.
SBA says it plainly: the federal government does not provide grants to start a business. Most veteran entrepreneurs fund their businesses with savings, SBA-backed loans, microloans, or revenue. My posts on SBA loans for veterans and veteran business grants cover what's real and what isn't.
If you have a service-connected disability, the VR&E Self-Employment track may also help. It's how I started Drakov. See my post on the VA VR&E program.
How to pick your network
Don't try to join everything. Here's a simple approach:
Pick one free counselor (a VBOC or SCORE mentor) and meet with them regularly.
Take one structured course that fits your stage, such as Boots to Business Reboot or V-WISE.
Join one local group where your future customers or partners actually spend time.
Add a specialized program later, like Bunker Labs or VIP, once you have a specific need it can meet.
Give each one a few months before deciding whether it's worth your time. The value in a network builds slowly, and it comes from showing up, asking specific questions, and helping others when you can.
Conclusion
The veteran entrepreneur landscape has never been more supportive or resource-rich than it is today. From national organizations offering comprehensive business support to local meetups providing community connections, there's truly something for every veteran entrepreneur at any stage of their journey.
Thinking about starting or growing your business? The same discipline that served you in uniform can build something of your own. Schedule a free consultation to talk through your plans.