Office of Veterans Business Development | Resources

Military spouses make great entrepreneurs, and small business ownership can be a transportable, flexible vocation that supports a military career. SBA knows this. So, as part of our mission, SBA’s Office of Veterans Business Development (OVBD) empowers military spouse entrepreneurs and business owners by providing the same counseling and training, access to capital, and disaster assistance that are provided to service members and veterans. We also build capacity for those who want to compete in the federal contracting landscape. You serve your country, and if you are pursuing small business ownership or other self-employment, SBA serves you!   

Training

Did you know that the military spouse community is eligible to take the same SBA led entrepreneurial training programs that are offered to service members and veterans? These programs are free of charge and are happening on over 180 installations and in local communities around the nation. Take the first step and sign up for one of our training programs today. 

If you are interested in training-on-demand, take a look at the entrepreneurial webinar series that SBA produced with the Department of Defense (DoD)’s Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program. The series, created for military spouses, focuses on building and growing a business.

Counseling  

Are you a military spouse who is interested in starting a business and in search of coaching? The SBA provides one-on-one counseling in local communities around the nation through our SBA district offices and resource partners (consisting of Veterans Business Outreach Centers, Women’s Business Centers, Small Business Development Centers and SCORE). Find an SBA resource in your local community and get started today.

You can also connect with qualified and experienced business mentors, other military spouse business owners, and DoD-certified career counselors through the Military Spouses and Entrepreneurship group on LinkedIn. Join this group to share and find information, offer and receive advice, and ask and answer questions about business ownership from the military spouse community.

Access to Capital

Do you have a great business idea but are uncertain of how to fund it? The SBA is working with lenders across the nation to help get small business loans into the hands of more military spouse entrepreneurs.  Find out about which opportunity is right for you:

For all 7(a) loans in the amounts of  $150,000 or less, the upfront guarantee fee is zero.

For SBA Veterans Advantage the upfront guarantee fee for loans to veteran-owned small businesses for $150,001 up to and including $500,000 will be 50% less than the upfront guarantee fee for non-veteran owned small businesses

Disaster Assistance

Disaster can strike at any time and even the most prepared business owners can be adversely impacted. SBA provides low-interest disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners, and renters. SBA disaster loans can be used to repair or replace the following items damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster: real estate, personal property, machinery and equipment, and inventory and business assets. Find out more about SBA disaster loans. 

Contracting

Interested in breaking into federal contracting? The government offers many tools to help businesses build their potential to successfully compete in the federal sector.  SBA can help with preparation for opportunities in federal procurement, cultivating connections within commercial supply chains, and disaster relief assistance. Learn more about which small business designation is right for you.