Are there Veteran-Owned Small Business Funding Sources?
Veteran-Owned Small Business funding primarily comes through federal contracting set-asides, but there are also private grant opportunities. The most significant source is the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Program which aims to award at least 3% of all federal contracting dollars to certified businesses.
Federal Government and Contracting:
- Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Program: https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/veteran-contracting-assistance-programs
This is the main federal pathway. Certification makes a business eligible to compete for a portion of federal contracts that are set aside for SDVOSBs, with a goal of awarding at least 3% of all federal contracting dollars to these businesses annually.
Private and Non-Profit Grants:
- Warrior Rising: https://www.warriorrising.org/ This non-profit provides a business development program that includes training, mentoring, and networking, which may lead to opportunities to compete for startup grants.
- Street Shares Foundation: https://usbusinessgrants.org/grants/streetshares-small-business-award.html Offers grant programs specifically for veteran entrepreneurs.
- Hivers and Strivers Angel Fund: https://hiversandstrivers.com/ An investment fund focused on early-stage companies founded by U.S. military veterans.
- Second Service Foundation Military Entrepreneur Challenge: https://secondservicefoundation.org/mec/ Hosted by the Second Service Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping veteran entrepreneurs, the Military Entrepreneur Challenge is an annual coaching and competition event that awards grants to veteran entrepreneurs.
- Hiring Our Heroes’ Small Business Grant Program: https://www.hiringourheroes.org/small-business-grant/ Awards five small businesses owned by veterans and/or military spouses with a one-time $10,000 grant to grow and support their businesses
- Disabled Veterans National Foundation (https://www.dvnf.org/gps/) The Disabled Veterans National Foundation’s GPS (Grants to Provide Stability) Program is a grant program for veterans who find themselves in temporary financial setback.