Your Service Can Open Doors in Business.
Veterans bring leadership, discipline, adaptability, accountability, teamwork, and mission execution into the business world.
There are also programs, certifications, training opportunities, mentorship networks, and government initiatives specifically designed to support veteran entrepreneurs.
The challenge is knowing they exist.
Veteran Global Solutions brings these resources together so you can understand your options and decide which opportunities make sense for your business.
Understand the Veteran Business Landscape
The veteran business ecosystem includes a wide range of programs, certifications, and support services. Eligibility requirements vary between programs — military service alone does not automatically qualify a business for every veteran program or certification.
Eligibility requirements vary between programs. Military service alone does not automatically qualify a business for every veteran program or certification. Always verify current requirements through official government resources.
Understand the Difference.
Two of the most commonly referenced designations in the federal veteran business space are the Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) and the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB). Understanding the general distinction is an important first step.
Veteran-Owned Small Business
Generally refers to a small business that is at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more veterans. Veteran status, ownership percentage, control, and business size are among the factors that may be evaluated depending on the program.
Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business
Generally refers to a small business that is at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans — veterans with a service-connected disability rating. Service-connected disability status, ownership, control, and business size are among the factors that may be evaluated.
VGS does not guarantee eligibility for any program. Requirements can change. Always verify current eligibility criteria through official government resources before investing significant time or money in a certification process.
Explore Veteran Small Business Certification.
The SBA administers the Veteran Small Business Certification (VetCert) program, which is the federal government's official certification program for veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses. Certification through VetCert can be important for eligible businesses pursuing certain federal contracting set-aside opportunities.
Certification is not automatic. Businesses must apply, meet eligibility requirements, and be approved. VGS encourages veterans to review the current official SBA requirements and determine whether certification makes sense for their business goals.
The official SBA certification program for veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses pursuing federal contracting opportunities.
Explore SBA VetCertGet Veteran-Specific Business Support.
Veterans Business Outreach Centers — VBOCs — are SBA-funded organizations that provide entrepreneurship development support to veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and military spouses.
Available Services May Include
VBOCs are located across the country. Services and availability may vary by location. There is generally no cost to access VBOC services.
SBA-funded centers providing veteran-specific entrepreneurship support, counseling, training, and mentoring across the United States.
Find a VBOCEntrepreneurship Education for the Military Community.
Boots to Business is an SBA entrepreneurship education program that provides transitioning service members and eligible members of the military community with an introduction to business ownership and the fundamentals of entrepreneurship.
The program is designed to help participants understand the basics of starting and growing a business, evaluate business concepts, and connect with resources that can support their entrepreneurial journey. Boots to Business is offered at military installations and online.
An SBA entrepreneurship education program providing transitioning service members and the military community with business ownership fundamentals and startup resources.
Explore Boots to BusinessYou Don't Have to Figure Everything Out Alone.
SCORE is a nonprofit organization supported by the SBA that provides free business mentoring, workshops, educational resources, and other small-business support to entrepreneurs across the United States.
SCORE mentors are experienced business professionals who volunteer their time to help entrepreneurs at any stage. A mentor can be particularly valuable when a veteran needs an outside perspective on a business challenge or decision.
Mentors Can Help With
Free business mentoring, workshops, and educational resources for entrepreneurs at every stage — supported by the SBA.
Find a SCORE MentorBusiness Counseling, Training, and Planning Support.
Small Business Development Centers — SBDCs — are SBA-funded organizations that provide entrepreneurs with access to business counseling, training, planning assistance, financial analysis, market research, and other services.
SBDCs are hosted by universities, colleges, and other institutions across the country. Services are generally provided at low or no cost. An SBDC advisor can help a veteran business owner work through specific business challenges, develop a plan, or prepare for financing.
SBA-funded centers providing entrepreneurs with counseling, training, planning, financial analysis, and market research support across the United States.
Find an SBDCDon't Stop at Federal Programs.
Federal programs are an important starting point, but they are not the only opportunity. States, counties, cities, public agencies, universities, transportation authorities, and other government entities may have their own veteran-owned or service-disabled veteran-owned business programs.
Programs and terminology can vary significantly by jurisdiction. A program that exists in one state may not exist in another. Requirements, application processes, and benefits can differ substantially.
Your federal veteran certification does not necessarily replace state or local certification requirements. Each program should be researched separately.
Understand Your Funding Options.
Access to capital is one of the most common challenges for growing businesses. Veteran entrepreneurs have several categories of funding to investigate — though availability, eligibility, and terms vary significantly.
Funding Categories to Investigate
There is NOT a universal pool of free veteran business money. Grants and specialized funding programs can be competitive, limited, temporary, location-specific, or industry-specific. VGS helps veterans find legitimate opportunities — we do not promise funding.
The official SBA resource for exploring loan programs, investment programs, and other funding options for small businesses.
Explore SBA Funding ResourcesProtect Your Business.
Veteran entrepreneurs may encounter companies and individuals making promises that sound too good to be true. Understanding common red flags can help you protect your business and your money.
Legitimate programs have eligibility requirements and processes. No company can guarantee a government contract, a grant award, or a certification outcome.
Veterans should verify opportunities through official government sources before paying significant fees to third-party companies.
VGS exists to help veterans find legitimate information and resources before they spend money unnecessarily.
Find Your Next Opportunity With VGS AI
The resources above help you learn and research. VGS AI helps you work. VGS is building the Command Center to bring powerful AI-assisted business tools into one centralized ecosystem — so you can move from information to execution.
You have the roadmap. VGS AI can help you research it — exploring veteran programs, understanding certifications, identifying funding options, researching state and local opportunities, and building your procurement readiness.
Example prompts you could use right now:
"What veteran business programs should I research in my state?"
"Explain VOSB and SDVOSB certification eligibility in plain English."
"Help me create a checklist for becoming procurement-ready."
"What types of funding should I research for my veteran-owned business?"
"Help me research state and local opportunities for veteran-owned businesses."
Learn it with VGS. Build it with VGS AI.
Information Shouldn't Be the Barrier.
Veteran Global Solutions believes veterans should be able to understand the programs, certifications, resources, and opportunities available to them without paying simply to discover that those opportunities exist.
VGS brings the information together.
We explain the road.
We connect you to legitimate resources.
You decide which opportunities are right for your business.
Want to Do Business With the Government?
Veteran certification can create important opportunities, but certification alone does not create contracts.
Government contracting requires understanding how agencies buy, how businesses register, how opportunities are found, how NAICS codes work, how capability statements are developed, and how solicitations are evaluated.
That is your next VGS pathway.