Starting a small business requires a lot of dedication and effort. However, with the right support, it can be a rewarding experience. Various resources are available to veterans who are starting or building their own businesses. These include online resource guides, funding contests, and a network of entrepreneurs who have gone through similar experiences. There are also organizations that specialize in veteran-turned-entrepreneurs, such as Second Service Foundation and Warrior Rising.
In addition, the Department of Defense has a dedicated team to help veterans start or grow their business. The Office of Small Business Programs, or OSBP, works with various agencies to award small business grants and contracts. Some of these grants are exclusively for military members, while others are for women or disadvantaged individuals. These grants can be used to fund a variety of projects, from new equipment to research and development.
If you are interested in opening a franchise, there is a special program for veterans called Boots to Business. This free training course will teach you the basics of entrepreneurship and how to write a business plan. It is a great way to get started and can give you the edge in the competition for military small business grants. Another great option is to use an online grant search tool like GrantWatch. This tool is free, but premium memberships are also available.

Common Small Business Grants for Army Members
If you’re a military veteran who’s interested in starting a business, you may want to look into grant programs that can help you get started. The Warrior Rising program funds veterans and their immediate family members interested in becoming entrepreneurs or “vetrepreneurs.” It’s important that you have a sustainable business model before applying for this grant, so be sure to review all the information on this website before you start the application process. Approximately two million businesses in the United States are owned by veterans. That’s a lot of entrepreneurs who might benefit from small business grants. These are set sums of money that givers — government agencies, nonprofits, and others — award for funding opportunities to meet a specific demographic or need. Unlike a loan, grant funds don’t have to be paid back.
In addition to the government’s Veterans Entrepreneurship Program, there are several private organizations that offer grant programs for veteran-owned businesses. One of them is Nav, which runs quarterly $10,000 small business grant competitions to help vets get their companies off the ground. The service also provides coaching and mentorship to help vets succeed. The Boots to Business program also offers free two-day training and education to help vets start or grow their businesses. The program also helps vets find federal contracts and franchise opportunities.
Moreover, the Michigan Veteran Entrepreneur-Lab (MVE-Lab) offers a three-month accelerator program that includes a pitch showcase. Participants can win up to $20,000 in grant money, but the program is only open to veterans in the state of Michigan. The service is part of the Department of Defense’s Transition Assistance Program. Other funding options include the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, which offers up to $150,000 in the first round and up to $2 million over two years in the second round.
In addition to grants, you can also apply for a loan through the SBA’s Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. This program helps cover your business expenses while you’re on deployment and can be used to meet working capital requirements. For more details, visit the SBA’s website. Other options include the Nav Fresh Start Business Grant, which awards $10,000 to entrepreneurs with a great business idea. You can submit a short video pitch and an application to be considered for this grant.