Small Business Grants for Veterans
StreetShares Foundation Veteran Small Business Award
The StreetShares Foundation operates one of the most well-known grant programs specifically for veteran entrepreneurs. The Veteran Small Business Award provides $15,000 in quarterly grants to veteran-owned businesses selected through a combination of public voting and expert judging. Applications are submitted online with a description of the business and how the grant would be used. Public voting accounts for a portion of the evaluation, so businesses with engaged communities and social media followings have an advantage in the initial screening phase.
The program also awards smaller prizes of $6,000 for second place and $4,000 for third place each quarter, meaning three veteran-owned businesses receive funding every three months. The application is straightforward and does not require the extensive documentation that federal grants demand. Past winners include ecommerce businesses, service companies, food businesses, and technology startups, so there are no industry restrictions. The primary requirement is that the business be majority-owned by a US military veteran.
Boots to Business
Boots to Business is an entrepreneurship training program run through the SBA in partnership with the Department of Defense as part of the Transition Assistance Program (TAP). The program is available to transitioning service members, veterans of all eras, and military spouses. It includes a two-day introductory course covering business fundamentals, feasibility analysis, and available resources, followed by an optional eight-week online course that goes deeper into business plan development, marketing, financing, and operations.
Boots to Business does not provide direct grant funding, but it connects participants with the full SBA resource network including Small Business Development Centers, SCORE mentors, Veterans Business Outreach Centers, and financing programs. The real value is the connections: completing the program gives you a warm introduction to the organizations that know where the grant money is and how to access it. Many veteran entrepreneurs credit Boots to Business as the starting point that led them to grants, loans, and business relationships they would not have found on their own.
VetFran
VetFran (Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative) is a program of the International Franchise Association that connects veterans with franchise opportunities and reduces the financial barriers to franchise ownership. Over 650 franchise companies participate, offering financial incentives to veterans that typically include reduced franchise fees (discounts of 10% to 50%), reduced royalty rates during the startup period, and financing assistance. Some franchise companies waive the franchise fee entirely for qualified veterans.
While VetFran itself is not a grant program, the financial incentives from participating franchises function similarly to grants because they reduce the upfront capital required to start a business. A franchise with a $50,000 franchise fee that offers a 50% veteran discount saves the veteran $25,000, which has the same financial impact as a $25,000 grant. If you are considering franchise ownership as your path to entrepreneurship, VetFran significantly reduces the barrier to entry.
SBA Veteran Programs
The SBA operates Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs) in every region of the country, providing free business counseling, training, and referrals specifically for veteran entrepreneurs. VBOCs are staffed by counselors who understand the military-to-civilian transition and can help you develop a business plan, identify funding sources, and navigate the certification process for federal contracting.
The SBA's Office of Veterans Business Development coordinates all veteran-related SBA programs, including the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) contracting program, the Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) certification, and partnerships with veteran-serving organizations. The federal government has a goal of awarding 3% of all federal contracting dollars to service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, and SDVOSB certification makes your business eligible for set-aside contracts that significantly reduce competition.
The SBA's Express Loan program offers faster processing for veteran-owned businesses, and the SBA Community Advantage program provides loans through community-based lenders that specialize in underserved markets including veteran entrepreneurs. While these are loans rather than grants, the terms are often substantially better than commercial alternatives, and the faster processing reduces the time between application and funding.
Corporate and Foundation Grants
Several corporations and foundations operate grant programs specifically for veteran entrepreneurs. The National Veteran-Owned Business Association (NaVOBA) provides certification, networking, and access to corporate procurement opportunities for veteran-owned businesses. The Bob Woodruff Foundation funds programs that support veteran entrepreneurs, often through grants to intermediary organizations that then provide direct services and funding to individual businesses.
The Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV) program, hosted at universities across the country, provides free experiential training in entrepreneurship and small business management to post-9/11 veterans. The program covers travel, lodging, meals, and course materials at no cost to participants and includes ongoing mentoring and a network of veteran entrepreneurs. Syracuse University, Florida State University, UCLA, and other institutions host EBV programs annually.
The Hivers and Strivers angel investment group invests exclusively in startups led by graduates of US military academies. While this is investment rather than grant funding, it provides capital that civilian-led startups in similar stages often cannot access. The Veterans Business Fund and other veteran-focused investment groups operate similarly, providing early-stage capital to veteran entrepreneurs who demonstrate strong business potential.
State-Level Veteran Business Programs
Many states offer additional incentives for veteran-owned businesses that layer on top of federal programs. Texas exempts veteran-owned businesses from certain franchise taxes. California provides procurement preferences for certified disabled veteran-owned businesses. New York offers a service-disabled veteran-owned business set-aside in state contracting. Florida, Virginia, Georgia, and other states with large military populations typically have the most extensive veteran business programs.
State veterans affairs departments and state economic development agencies both administer programs for veteran entrepreneurs, so check both. Some states fund veteran business incubators, provide startup grants, or offer tax credits for hiring veterans. Contact your state veterans affairs office and ask specifically about business programs, as these are often separate from the healthcare, education, and housing benefits that dominate the department's public communications.
VOSB and SDVOSB Certification
Certification as a Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) or Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) through the SBA is one of the most valuable steps a veteran business owner can take. SDVOSB certification provides access to sole-source contracts up to $5 million for manufacturing and $4 million for all other industries, meaning a government agency can award you a contract without competitive bidding if the contract falls below these thresholds. The 3% federal contracting goal for SDVOSBs represents billions of dollars in annual contract opportunities.
The certification process requires proving that the business is at least 51% owned and controlled by a veteran (or service-disabled veteran for SDVOSB), that the veteran manages the daily operations, and that the business meets SBA size standards for its industry. The SBA verifies these claims through document review and may conduct a site visit. Our veteran-owned certification guide walks through the complete application process and documentation requirements.
Military Spouse Resources
Military spouses face unique business challenges including frequent relocations, inconsistent employment histories, and limited local networks. Several programs address these challenges directly. The Spouse Education and Career Opportunities (SECO) program, funded by the Department of Defense, provides career coaching, education resources, and entrepreneurship support to military spouses. The Rosie Network's Service2CEO program provides free entrepreneurship training specifically for military spouses and veteran caregivers.
Many of the veteran grant programs mentioned above also extend eligibility to military spouses, including Boots to Business, VetFran, and some SBA lending programs. Ecommerce is particularly well-suited to military spouse entrepreneurs because location-independent businesses survive relocations that would devastate local brick-and-mortar operations.