Resources for U.S. Veterans Starting a Business

If you are a veteran of the United States Military, you may be eligible for a host of different programs designed to help you start or rebuild your business. If you are in the National Guard or Reserves, there are programs to help your business keep running if you are called to active duty for an extended period of time.

Perhaps you are working for someone else or for a company or corporation, and you have always dreamed of owning your own business but were concerned about qualifying for the financing to get your venture started.

Maybe you just want to check it out and see if it could work for you. Is it a good idea? Is your personality suited towards business ownership? You can find out the answers to these questions and more at http://www.veteranscorp.org/ . This link is for the main site, and you can follow the various links provided below to find areas that apply to your particular situation or need.

The National Veterans Business Development Corporation is made up of directors appointed by the President of the United States and can be found doing business as the The Veterans Corporation. It is a federally-chartered 501(c)(3) organization that was created by the Veterans Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development Act of 1999. The Veterans Corporation Mission is to create and enhance entrepreneurial business opportunities for veterans. The Veterans Corporation also provides veterans with the tools and resources they need to be successful in business, including:

* Access to Capital – you can find funding for your business, including guaranteed portions of loans making you an attractive client too many banks and lending institutions. http://www.sba.gov/services/financialassistance/7alenderprograms/pe/index.html

* Access to Business Services – The Veterans Corporation has many programs and services to help Veterans in all phases of the entrepreneurial process. http://catalog.veteranscorp.org/catalog.html

* Entrepreneurial Education – From classes and seminars to guides and workbooks, there is a host of tools for you to download and utilize. http://www.veteranscorp.org/Public/Education/RegionalEducationSites.aspx

* Surety Bonding – a contractor’s ability to secure some of that work, especially in the public sector, may be limited if he or she is unable to obtain a bid, performance, or payment bond. The Veterans Corporation has partnered with the Surety and Fidelity Association of America (SFAA) to give Veteran business owners exclusive access to surety bonding. http://www.veteranscorp.org/Public/SuretyBonding.aspx

* Insurance and Prescription Coverage – Most small business owners cannot afford insurance or prescription plans for themselves and their employees. The Veterans Corporation has partnered with some of the leading providers to make sure its members have the coverage they need http://www.veteranscorp.org/Public/InsurancePrescriptionCoverage.aspx

* Veterans Business Directory – The Veterans Corporation’s Veterans Business Directory is an interactive directory that lets you showcase your business, search for other Veteran-owned businesses, and support other Veteran entrepreneurs. http://www.veteranscorp.org/BusinessDirectory.aspx

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Veterans Business Development is dedicated to serving the veteran entrepreneur by providing assistance to veterans seeking to start and develop small businesses. Their site can be found at:

http://www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/ovbd/index.html

There is another excellent website for all federal sites and pages that offer assistance to veterans http://www.vetbiz.gov/
As a veteran, you have served your country and there are a variety of programs to help serve you as you begin your civilian business venture. Even if you have been out of the military for awhile, check to see if you qualify for any of these programs, which can play a big role in your present or potential business venture.

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