November is Veteran and Military Family Awareness Month, a time to celebrate the extraordinary individuals who have served our country and those who continue to serve. Veterans and military families make many sacrifices to protect our freedoms.
During the month, the Small Business Administration (SBA) showcases programs for veterans as they enter the world of business ownership, including funding programs, training, and federal contracting opportunities.
The Office of Veterans Business Development at the SBA is devoted exclusively to promoting veteran entrepreneurship and facilitates the use of all U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) programs by veterans. Programs provide access to capital and preparation for small business opportunities, as well as connect veteran small business owners with federal procurement and commercial supply chains.
The Veterans Business Outreach Center Program is an initiative that oversees Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC) across the country which offer a number of success stories along with workshops, concept assessments, mentorship, and training for eligible veterans. SBA Programs feature customized curriculums in order to give veterans the training they need to succeed through in-person classes or online courses which teach fundamentals of business ownership while providing access to resources and experts.
Training and Entrepreneur Programs for Veterans and Families
- Boots to Business: An entrepreneurial program offered on military installations around the world and a training track of the U.S. Department of Defense Transition Assistance Program (TAP).
- Women Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Program (WVETP): Provides entrepreneurial training to women veterans, women service members, and women spouses of service members and veterans as they start or grow a business. SBA funds these entrepreneurship training programs available exclusively for women veterans through grantees, powered by LiftFund.
- Service-Disabled Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Program (SDVETP): Announced in July 2022, SBA funds entrepreneurship training programs for service-disabled veterans through grantees:
- Veterans Entrepreneurship Program (VEP) – Riata Center for Entrepreneurship, Spears School of Business at Oklahoma State University
- Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans – St. Joseph’s University – St. Joseph’s University
- Warrior Rising | Charitable Organization Empowering Veterans in Business
- Veteran Entrepreneurial Training & Resource Network
There are many ways to show your support for veterans and military families during this month. You can donate to organizations that provide assistance to them, volunteer your time to help with their needs, or simply take the time to listen to their stories.