When you’re starting out small, there are countless administration and management tasks you have to investigate and check off to give your business the best chance to grow and succeed.

How To Get VOSB or SDVOSB Certified: Outlines simple steps with links to getting your veteran-owned or service-disabled veteran-owned small business certification, as well as its benefits

Register your Business at Sam.gov: A key step for participating in government contracts or getting your VOSB or SDVOSB from the SBA

SBA VOSB or SDVOSB Certification Portal: The official SBA portal for certifying your business as Veteran-Owned or Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned.

Three Roadblocks to Veteran Employment: Are you trying to hire veterans in key positions? Consider some of the roadblocks they might be facing

How to acquire surplus Federal Personal Property: Only state and local government agencies and public organizations carrying out certain activities qualify to receive surplus federal property

Everyone always seems to be talking about capital. Make sure you’re educated on the basics, and are approaching capital strategically to optimize your business growth.

Access to Capital and Resources Across Revenue Stages: This research brief from IVMF goes into detail about what each stage of business is up against when it comes to accessing capital. Find the capital access path that gives you the best odds of success here!

US Chamber of Commerce Resources: A list of 48 grants, loans, and programs to help you start your business

It can be challenging to find a qualified workforce in the manufacturing industry.

ATDM program: The Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) Program trains veterans in defense manufacturing, and is seeking employer partners.

Heroes Make America Training Program: This organization trains veterans and military spouses in manufacturing skills.

AJAC Veterans in Manufacturing: AJAC trains veterans and works to place them in apprenticeships in manufacturing fields. They also have workforce training solutions for employers.

SOLID Solutions for Information Design, Inc: Part of the manufacturing space, SOLID can help solve your manufacturing hurdles. Lauren Runco, VP of Innovation, Strategy & Delivery is the key stakeholder to reach out to for help.

Competency-Based Education Network (C-Ben), Center for Skills: C-BEN is a competency/skills based training network that has partnerships and memberships for individuals and organizations.

LIFT: LIFT is an accelerator connecting advanced materials, manufacturing processes, systems engineering and talent development enhancing America’s manufacturing competitiveness, national economy and security.

Be Pro Be Proud, South Carolina: This South Carolinian initiative is building an advanced manufacturing workforce in the Palmetto State.

Greenlight Credentialing: Greenlight operates credentialing for employers and education, operating in TX and working with several employers

Hampton Roads Workforce Council: This organization oversees federally funded workforce development programs for the Hampton Roads region. If you’re looking for skilled workers in the region, reach out to Shawn Avery, President & CEO.

San Diego Regional EDC: The San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation works with companies free-of-charge that are looking to expand, stay, or locate in the San Diego region.

Alabama Talent Triad: This organization helps employers match with skills-based workers in the Alabama area.

You can have the greatest product or service in the world, but if your ideal customer doesn’t know about it, the business is destined to fail.

A Veterans Guide to Publishing Your First Book: Are you considering writing a book as part of your business? Our complete guide outlines the process to educate you on your options for writing and publishing.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of pushing yourself far beyond what’s normal, or safe, to make your business work. Your business probably can’t function without you, so stay on top of your mental health to avoid a crash or burnout, or something even more devastating.

Mental Health Awareness Resources For Veterans and Military Families: This interview with Dr. Jude Black discusses the state of veteran and military family mental health, and shares a slew of resources to evaluate and stay on top of your own.

Substance Use Treatment

VA Resources: https://www.va.gov/health-care/health-needs-conditions/substance-use-problems/

AddictionResource: Addiction Resource was founded in 2014 to provide a community for those recovering from addiction and to help patients find the highest quality care for a successful recovery. Their goal is to provide resources to help patients and their loved ones so that they may stay on the road to recovery, and can successfully overcome addiction for life.

National Center for PTSD: Research and educational center on PTSD and traumatic stress.

Suicide Prevention

COMPACT Act: If you’ve done anything to harm yourself or need immediate support to prevent a suicide attempt, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency provider without delay. Cost should never be a concern at these critical moments, and the emergent suicide care benefit under the COMPACT Act has you covered. Whether at VA or non-VA facilities, enrolled in VA health care or not, VA will provide, pay for or reimburse eligible individuals for expenses related to this lifesaving care, including:

• Transportation to the emergency department.
• Up to 30 days of inpatient care.
• Up to 90 days of outpatient care.
• Coverage of all related prescriptions.
• Referrals for additional services tailored to your individual needs.

During a crisis, time is critical. Be prepared by knowing the name and location of your closest emergency department before a crisis occurs.

Crisis conversation handout: Help identify if a veteran is in crisis, and open a conversation

VA S.A.V.E. Training: Four ways to help a veteran in crisis

Veteran Crisis Line: If you’re a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, contact the Veterans Crisis Line to receive confidential support 24/7. You don’t have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect. To reach responders, Dial 988 then Press 1, chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, or text 838255.

For active-duty personnel (VeteransCrisisLine.net/ActiveDuty.aspx), the Crisis Line is available:

• In Europe, call 00800 1273 8255 or DSN 118
• In Korea, call 080-855-5118 or DSN 118
• In Afghanistan, call 00 1 800 273 8255 or DSN 111
• In the Philippines, call #MYVA or 02-8550-3888 and press 7
• EUCOM: tel:1-844-702-5495 (off base) or DSN 988 (on base)
• AFRICOM: tel:1-888-482-6054 (off base) or DSN 988 (on base)
• PACOM: tel:1-844-702-5493 (off base) or DSN 988 (on base)
• CENTCOM: tel:1-855-422-7719 (off base) or DSN 988 (on base)
• SOUTHCOM: tel:1-866-989-9599 (off base) or DSN 988 (on base)

*Each of these numbers is assigned to a different U.S. Department of Defense Area of Responsibility. If you have trouble reaching the Veterans Crisis Line with the assigned number for the region you are calling from, try one of the other numbers.

Pitching is a basic, critical skill every founder needs to develop, as it’s part of how you attract investors, partners, and even customers.

Pitching 101: How To Pitch a Business: Explores the basics of pitching, including a glossary and an elevator pitch creation tool

Pitching 102: What Goes in the Pitch?: Explores the content investors expect pitches to contain about your business

Pitching 103: The Leave Behinds: Explores business cards, business plans, and other branding or information to leave with audiences

Pitching Pro Tips With Chris Carlson: Big picture tips for making your best pitch from experienced pitching coach Chris Carlson

Bunker Labs Conference and Pitch Competition Calendar: A quarterly updated calendar of conference and pitch competitions of interest to veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs, including application dates where applicable

Are you ready to wade into the world of procurement? Often a key step in scaling businesses, procurement and contracting can come with new manufacturing and logistical challenges.

IVMF Procurement Readiness Resources: This resource page provides webinars and videos to help you understand and prepare your business to become a supplier for stores nationwide.

SBA Government Contracting Assistance: Learn about government set-aside contracts and how to qualify for them.

IVMF’s The Ins and Outs of Procurement Contracting: This March 2025 report goes into detail by the numbers about the opportunities and challenges for military-affiliated entrepreneurs in the procurement space.

 

These organizations have excellent entrepreneurship programming and events for veterans and military family members, as well as advocacy for veteran- and miltary spouse-owned businesses.

IVMF Entrepreneurship Programs: Our world-class suite of entrepreneurship programs at IVMF can take you from an idea on a napkin through scaling worldwide, and every step inbetween.

Warrior Rising: This nonprofit provides education and training for veterans aspiring to launch businesses.

Patriot Boot Camp: A 3-day in-person entrepreneurship training program for veterans and military spouses with an established business

Dog Tag, Inc.: This business school is also an active bakery, giving veterans, military spouses, and caregivers the chance to participate in a baked-goods-based entrepreneurial fellowship program.

PAVE: This Louisiana-based veteran entrepreneurship program is the Pathway to Assist Veteran Entrepreneurs (PAVE), offering a virtual program that provides entrepreneurship training to veterans to learn at their own pace.

NAVOBA: The National Veteran-Owned Business Association is a nonprofit advancing the interests of veteran-owned businesses.

NVSBC: The National Veteran Small Business Coalition empowers veteran-owned small businesses in the federal contracting ecosystem with training, engagement, and advocacy.

Veteran Institute for Procurement (VIP): The Veteran Institute for Procurement helps veteran-owned small businesses succeed in federal procurement through training, resources, and community.

VIB Network: The Veterans in Business Network advocating for veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses through networking and events.

Wounded Warrior Project: The Wounded Warrior Project is a veterans service organization focused on wounded, ill, or injured post-9/11 veterans and their families.

NVBDC: This organization has its own veteran-owned business certification for businesses of all sizes, and has its own suite of programming and events.

VBOC: Comprising 31 separate facilities across the country, an SBA-approved Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) offers local entrepreneurship resources to veterans, service-members, and military spouses interested in starting or growing a small business. If you don’t have a local VBOC, try finding a local Small Business Development Center (SBDC), which provides similar resources.