Small Business Grants for Veterans in 2026: The Complete Guide
Veterans are among the most successful entrepreneurs in America. According to the SBA, there are roughly 2.5 million veteran-owned businesses in the US, generating over $1 trillion in annual revenue. Military service instills discipline, leadership, and problem-solving skills that translate directly into business success — but access to startup capital remains a significant hurdle. Grants provide funding you never repay, making them an ideal launchpad for veteran entrepreneurs.
This guide covers every major grant program, government resource, and private funding opportunity available to veteran business owners in 2026, including programs specifically for service-disabled veterans.
VA Programs for Veteran Entrepreneurs
Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E / Chapter 31)
The VA's Veteran Readiness and Employment program (formerly Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment) provides comprehensive support for veterans with service-connected disabilities who want to start a business. Eligible veterans can receive funding for business plans, training, supplies, equipment, and operating costs during the startup phase.
Eligibility: Veterans with a service-connected disability rating of at least 10% and an employment barrier. Must apply through your VA regional office.
Benefits: Business feasibility analysis, business plan development, training programs, supplies and equipment, monthly subsistence allowance during training.
How to apply: File a claim through VA.gov or contact your local VA regional office. A VR&E counselor will evaluate your self-employment track and determine the support package.
VR&E is one of the most underutilized veteran business programs. If you have a service-connected disability and a viable business idea, this program can provide substantial startup support at no cost.
Office of Veterans Business Development (OVBD)
The SBA's Office of Veterans Business Development coordinates federal resources for veteran entrepreneurs. While OVBD doesn't issue grants directly, it connects veterans with programs across multiple agencies and oversees Veteran Business Outreach Centers nationwide.
Key resources:
- Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs) — Free counseling, training, and mentoring at 22 locations nationwide
- Boots to Business program — Entrepreneurship training for transitioning service members
- Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V-WISE) — Training program for women veterans
- Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV) — Intensive programs at top universities
Boots to Business
Boots to Business is an entrepreneurship education program offered by the SBA as part of the Department of Defense's Transition Assistance Program (TAP). It provides an introduction to business ownership and a foundation in business concepts.
Eligibility: Active-duty service members (including National Guard and Reserves) going through transition, veterans of all eras, and military spouses.
Format: Two-day introductory course followed by an eight-week online foundations course. Both are free.
Website: sba.gov/bootstobusiness
Boots to Business won't hand you a check, but the training, mentoring connections, and business plan development it provides are directly useful when applying for grants and loans.
SBA Programs for Veteran Business Owners
SBA Veterans Advantage
The SBA offers fee relief and favorable terms on SBA Express loans and Community Advantage loans for veteran-owned businesses. While these are loans rather than grants, the reduced fees and streamlined process make them significantly more affordable than conventional borrowing.
Details: Reduced or eliminated upfront guarantee fees on SBA Express loans up to $500,000. Available to businesses owned at least 51% by veterans, service-disabled veterans, active-duty military in TAP, or Reserve/Guard members.
SCORE Mentoring for Veterans
SCORE, the SBA's mentoring network, offers free one-on-one mentoring specifically for veteran entrepreneurs. SCORE mentors are experienced business professionals who can help with everything from business plan development to writing grant applications and financial projections.
Over 10,000 volunteer mentors nationwide. Find a mentor at score.org or attend veteran-focused workshops.
Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs)
VBOCs provide free business counseling, training, and resource referrals to veteran entrepreneurs. Each center has counselors who specialize in helping veterans transition from military service to business ownership.
Services include: Business plan assistance, financial planning, marketing guidance, access to capital referrals, and ongoing mentoring. There are 22 VBOCs across the country — find your nearest center at sba.gov/local-assistance.
SBA 8(a) Business Development for Service-Disabled Veterans
Service-disabled veterans who qualify for the SBA's 8(a) program gain access to sole-source federal contracts, management assistance, and mentoring. For veteran businesses in government contracting, 8(a) certification can be transformative.
Eligibility: Majority-owned (51%+) by a service-disabled veteran who is a US citizen and is socially and economically disadvantaged. Business must have been operating for at least two years.
SBIR/STTR Programs
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs provide competitive grants for technology research and development. Phase I awards are typically $150,000–$275,000, and Phase II awards can exceed $1 million. Several federal agencies, including the DoD, have explicit outreach to increase veteran participation in SBIR/STTR.
If your veteran-owned business involves technology, research, or product development, these are among the largest non-dilutive grants available.
Service-Disabled Veteran Programs
SDVOSB Certification
The Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) certification opens access to federal set-aside contracts. The federal government has a statutory goal of awarding at least 3% of all federal contracting dollars to SDVOSBs — representing billions of dollars annually.
Eligibility: Business must be at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans. The veteran(s) must manage day-to-day operations.
How to certify: Apply through the SBA's Veteran Small Business Certification program at vetcert.sba.gov.
SDVOSB certification doesn't provide a direct grant, but access to sole-source and set-aside contracts can be worth far more than any individual grant award.
VA SDVOSB Contracting
The VA itself is one of the largest federal purchasers and has its own set-aside program for SDVOSBs. VA contracting officers can award sole-source contracts up to $5 million to certified SDVOSBs, making this one of the most lucrative opportunities for service-disabled veteran entrepreneurs.
Private and Nonprofit Grants for Veteran Entrepreneurs
StreetShares Foundation — Veteran Small Business Award
The StreetShares Foundation awards grants to veteran small business owners through a competitive application and community voting process.
Award Amount: $15,000 grand prize, plus additional awards
Eligibility: US military veterans, active-duty service members, Guard, Reserve, and military spouses who own or are starting a business.
Application: Quarterly cycles. Applications are reviewed by a panel and also incorporate community votes.
Warrior Rising
Warrior Rising provides mentoring, funding, and resources to veteran entrepreneurs. Their programs include business plan review, pitch competitions, and direct connections to investors and grant opportunities.
Programs: Mentoring, business accelerator, pitch competitions, and connections to capital sources.
Eligibility: US military veterans with a business idea or existing business.
Website: warriorrising.org
Hivers and Strivers
Hivers and Strivers is an angel investment group that exclusively funds businesses led by military academy graduates (West Point, Annapolis, Air Force Academy, Coast Guard Academy, Merchant Marine Academy).
Investment Size: $250,000–$1,000,000
Eligibility: Businesses led by US military academy graduates.
Focus: Early-stage companies with high growth potential.
While technically angel investment rather than grants, Hivers and Strivers fills a unique niche for academy-graduate entrepreneurs seeking startup capital.
Bob Woodruff Foundation
The Bob Woodruff Foundation funds nonprofit programs that support veteran entrepreneurs, including grants to organizations that provide business training, mentoring, and startup assistance to veterans.
While they don't provide grants directly to individual businesses, programs they fund — such as veteran business accelerators and training programs — provide free resources and sometimes seed funding to participants.
National Veteran Small Business Coalition (NVSBC)
NVSBC provides networking, education, and advocacy for veteran small business owners. They host events that connect veteran entrepreneurs with government contracting opportunities and funding sources.
Corporate Grant Programs for Veterans
FedEx Entrepreneur Fund
The FedEx Entrepreneur Fund provides grants of up to $50,000 to small businesses. While not exclusively for veterans, the program has historically funded veteran-owned businesses, and military service is a positive factor in their evaluation.
Award Amount: $5,000–$50,000
Application: Annual competition — check fedex.com for current cycle timing.
Bunker Labs
Bunker Labs, a national nonprofit, offers programs designed to help veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses. Their flagship programs include:
- Launch Lab — Free online program guiding veterans from idea to business launch
- CEOcircle — Peer advisory groups for veteran entrepreneurs with established businesses
- Veterans in Residence — Co-working and community program in partnership with WeWork
Bunker Labs programs don't always include direct cash grants, but the training, community, and resources they provide are directly valuable and can position you to win grants from other programs.
PenFed Foundation — Dream Makers Program
The PenFed Foundation supports military and veteran communities through various programs. Their Dream Makers program has provided financial assistance to veterans, and they periodically offer business-related grants and resources.
Eligibility: Active-duty military, veterans, and military families.
Website: penfedfoundation.org
USAA — Support for Veteran Entrepreneurs
USAA partners with organizations that support veteran entrepreneurship and periodically sponsors grant programs and business competitions for veteran-owned businesses. Check USAA's community programs page for current opportunities.
State-Specific Veteran Business Programs
Many states offer their own programs for veteran entrepreneurs, ranging from direct grants to tax incentives and procurement preferences. Here are some notable examples:
Texas: Texas Veterans Commission provides business development resources, and the Texas Workforce Commission offers veterans-specific workforce programs. The state also offers franchise tax exemptions for certain veteran-owned businesses.
California: CalVet supports veteran entrepreneurs with counseling and referral services. The California Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) program provides contracting preferences worth 3% of state procurement.
New York: The Division of Veterans' Services connects veteran business owners with state contracting opportunities, and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses receive preference in state procurement through Executive Law Article 17-B.
Florida: The Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs partners with the Florida SBDC to provide free business consulting. The state offers fee waivers for veteran business licensure and SDVOSB procurement preferences.
Virginia: The Virginia Department of Veterans Services offers the Virginia Values Veterans (V3) program, and the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity certifies SDVOSBs for state contracting preferences.
Check your state page in our directory for state-specific veteran business grants and programs. Many states are adding new programs regularly.
Tips for Veteran Entrepreneurs
Your military service gives you advantages that many civilian entrepreneurs lack. Here's how to maximize them:
Leverage your veteran network. The veteran business community is tight-knit and supportive. Join organizations like NVSBC, Bunker Labs, and your local VBOC. Fellow veteran entrepreneurs are often the best source of advice, referrals, and partnership opportunities.
Use every free resource available. Between VBOCs, SCORE, SBDCs, and Boots to Business, there is an extraordinary amount of free training, mentoring, and business counseling available to veterans. These resources can help you build a stronger business and stronger grant applications.
Get certified early. If you're a service-disabled veteran, pursue SDVOSB certification as soon as your business is eligible. The federal set-aside contracts available to SDVOSBs represent billions in annual spending. Similarly, check your state's veteran business certification programs.
Apply broadly and often. Don't limit yourself to veteran-specific grants. You're also eligible for general small business grants, industry-specific programs, and — if applicable — grants for minority entrepreneurs, women entrepreneurs, or other categories. The more applications you submit, the better your odds.
Tell your story. Your military background is compelling. When writing grant applications, connect your service experience to your business capabilities. Leadership, logistics, teamwork under pressure, and mission focus are directly relevant to running a business — make that connection explicit.
Alternatives If You Don't Get a Grant
Grants are competitive, and even strong applications don't always win. If you need capital while continuing to pursue grants, consider these alternatives:
SBA loans with veteran benefits. The SBA Veterans Advantage program offers reduced fees on SBA Express loans, and SBA Microloans (up to $50,000) specifically prioritize veteran-owned businesses. These are among the most affordable small business loans available.
SBA Microloans. The SBA Microloan program provides up to $50,000 at favorable interest rates, with a focus on underserved entrepreneurs including veterans. Average microloan amounts are around $13,000 — ideal for startup costs.
Business lines of credit. A line of credit gives you flexible access to capital that you only pay interest on when you use it. Several online lenders offer competitive terms and fast approval for established businesses.
Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). CDFIs are mission-driven lenders that serve underserved communities, including veteran entrepreneurs. They often offer more flexible terms and lower barriers than traditional banks.
For a full breakdown of when to use grants versus loans, see our guide on grants vs. loans.
This guide is updated regularly. Bookmark this page and check back for new grant opportunities as they become available. Browse our complete grant directory to find additional funding for your veteran-owned business.