This year, to support current and future service-disabled veteran entrepreneurs, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) awarded three institutions and one business the Service-Disabled Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Program (SDVETP) grant.
Offered by the SBA's Office of Veterans Business Development, this grant assists the grantees in providing entrepreneurial training to service-disabled veterans looking to start or grow a business. The awardees include:
- Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities (EBV): Syracuse University's Institute for Veterans and Military Families, Syracuse, N.Y.
- Veterans Entrepreneurship Program: Riata Center for Entrepreneurship, Spears School of Business at Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Okla.
- Veterans Entrepreneurship Jumpstart Program: St. Joseph's University, Philadelphia, Pa.
- Dog Tag Bakery, Inc.: Washington, D.C.
Despite the challenges they faced, service-disabled veterans have pursued entrepreneurship and established successful companies nationwide. Veterans like Dr. Ray Jardine, Staci Redmon, and Quiana Gainey--all of whom have used the resources available at Veterans Business Development Centers--have leveraged the skills and experience they gained in the military to accomplish their dreams of small business ownership.
The SBA looks forward to working with these outstanding awardees to create opportunities for service-disabled veterans and their families who want to start or grow a small business.
The SBA celebrates service-disabled veterans, as well as all-era veterans, service members, and military spouses during National Veterans Small Business Week, Oct. 31-Nov. 4. SBA district offices are hosting events nationwide that will connect current and future veteran business owners to entrepreneurship resources, while highlighting the accomplishments of veteran small business owners.
During National Veterans Small Business Week, and going forward, share your veteran small business success story or show your appreciation for veteran entrepreneurs by joining the conversation online using #MyVetBiz.
Celebrate National Veterans Small Business Week by visiting www.sba.gov/myvetbiz to learn more about events, courses and resources built to support your entrepreneurship success.