Resources

Business Resources

Since 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has helped Veterans start, manage and grow small businesses. Today, SBA offers a full range of entrepreneurial support programs to every American and specific programs for Veterans, Service-Disabled Veterans, Reservists and National Guard Members. The SBA’s mission job is to help you successfully transition from world’s finest warrior to world’s finest small business owner.

SBA Resource Partners

Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs) provide free business consulting and free or low-cost training services to aspiring Vetrepreneurs – active duty or past military service as well as military spouses – and veteran-owned small businesses throughout the United States, the District of Columbia, and its territories.

Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) provide a variety of free business consulting and low-cost training services to small businesses and aspiring civilian and military entrepreneurs throughout the United States, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

SCORE’s nationwide network of experienced business owners and managers provide a variety of free business mentoring and low-cost training services at area chapters and online.

The nationwide network of Women’s Business Centers provides training, mentoring, business development and financing opportunities.

The IVMF designs and delivers world class educational and vocational training programs designed to provide service members, veterans and their families with the skills they need to be successful in business ownership, careers and life.

Boots to Business, an optional entrepreneurship training track in the DoD’s TAP GPS program for transitioning active duty personnel and military spouses.

Boots to Business Reboot for veterans and service members of all eras, National Guard and Reservists as well as military spouses through the US Small Business Administration.

V-WISE for active duty women, women veterans and military spouses.

EBV for Post 9/11 veterans with a service-connected disability.

EBV-F for military family members who are caregivers to a veteran with a service-connected disability and for surviving spouses of a military member who lost his or her life while in service.

Other Resources

Vet to CEO is a veteran-managed non-profit organization that offers “Entrepreneurship for Transitioning Warriors”, a free 7-week online entrepreneurship training program for active duty military and veterans designed and facilitated by veterans for veterans.

The National Center for Veteran Institute for Procurement (VIP) offers 5 no-cost training tracks designed by seasoned executives from industry and government to help Veteran Owned Small Businesses and Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses increase their ability to win government contracts.

The NVSBC is the voice of the veteran and service disabled veteran owned small business (VOSB and SDVOSB) when talking to the Federal Government, and adds great value in terms of quickly disseminating messages about Federal Government policy to our members.

The VETCON Alliance is dedicated to aiding veterans facing socio-economic hardships by promoting growth and opportunities through education, entrepreneurship and employment. To achieve and advance this mission, the alliance will provide indispensable resources to veterans at VETCON, and through future endeavors.

The purpose of each New York Chamber of Commerce is to assist small businesses and enhance economic growth of the surrounding area. Chambers of Commerce provide local businesses with an opportunity to network with other businesses in the area by working together and coordinating events.

The purpose of each New Jersey Chamber of Commerce is to assist small businesses and enhance economic growth of the surrounding area. Chambers of Commerce provide local businesses with an opportunity to network with other businesses in the area by working together and coordinating events.

The StreetShares community brings together business owners in search of funding and investors looking for both financial and social returns.

Bunker Labs is a National Not-For-Profit 501(C)(3) organization built by military veteran entrepreneurs to empower other military veterans as leaders in innovation. We work to Inspire, Educate, and Connect veterans with the right resources and people locally to be successful, while also providing national tools and resources.

USDA grant funding supports a number of organizations devoted to providing technical assistance and education to beginning farmers. In particular, starting in 2014, the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program and the Outreach and Assistance to Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program offered set aside funding for veterans training.

Dog Tag Inc. seeks to provide a transformative opportunity for veterans with disabilities, spouses, and caregivers by offering an education through Georgetown University and experiential learning in our small business venture, Dog Tag Bakery. Upon completion of the Dog Tag Inc. (DTI) program, transitioning veterans are business ready, competitive, and employable.

The Veterans Entrepreneurial Jumpstart (VEJ) program is designed specifically to provide the tools, education and mentorship necessary to allow all qualified veterans the opportunity to start their own businesses. We offer the latest training in business and entrepreneurship, utilizing the breadth of experience available through the renowned Haub School of Business, experienced faculty, and industry practitioners.

The experts at The Simple Dollar have created an updated and comprehensive guide to military travel discounts. The article includes dozens of travel discounts in categories such as airlines, hotels, rental cars, and recreation. Additionally, the entire guide can be downloaded as a printable PDF for ease and accessibility.

The Veterans In Business (VIB) Network is a nonprofit organization that advocates for all veteran businesses including SDVOSBs and DVBEs. They provide resources, educational workshops, outreach opportunities, and more. They also strive to build connections between veteran businesses and corporations/government agencies looking to purchase goods and services. VIB Network co-founders, Cole Woodman and Rebecca Aguilera-Gardiner, are both owners of successful SDVOSB/DVBE companies and have volunteered with various veteran organizations over the years.

Access to Capital Resources

Are you looking to start or grow your own small business? Adirondack Economic Development Corp. (AEDC) can help. We provide free business planning technical assistance, classroom training and access to commercial loan funds. For more than three decades, AEDC has provided business training, lending and technical assistance to underserved populations and to existing businesses throughout its 14-county service region, which includes the counties of Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Oneida, Oswego, Saratoga, St. Lawrence, Warren and Washington.

At Excelsior Growth Fund (EGF), our mission is to help businesses in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania grow by providing small business loans and advisory services. As a nonprofit organization and a U.S. Treasury-certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), we’re a responsible lender you can trust. We understand that many small businesses can have difficulty getting traditional bank financing and EGF can help. Our products are affordable and flexible, and our advisory services can help you reach your business goals. Our signature product, the EGF SmartLoan™, provides up to $100,000 through a streamlined online platform.  Loans are approved in 1-2 days and funded in a week.

Kiva is the world’s first online lending platform connecting online lenders to entrepreneurs across the globe. Kiva is an international nonprofit, founded in 2005 and based in San Francisco, with a mission to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty. Kiva celebrates and supports people looking to create a better future for themselves, their families and their communities. By lending as little as $25 on Kiva, anyone can help a borrower start or grow a business, go to school, access clean energy or realize their potential. 100% of every dollar you lend on Kiva goes to funding loans. Kiva covers costs primarily through optional donations, as well as through support from grants and sponsors.

Services

• U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
• New York State Division of Veterans Affairs
• New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
• USO of Metropolitan New York
• Liberty USO-New Jersey
• Joining Community Forces
• The Recovery Village
• US Department of Veteran Affairs Crisis Hotline
• Planning for Life after Discharge
• Transition to Civilian Life
• Mesothelioma Guide
• Surviving Spouses Resources
• Best Jobs for Returning Servicemembers
• ASVAB Practice
• Explore the Trades
• RehabSpot
• Public Outreach Department for The Mesothelioma Center

Education

• Financial Aid Guide for Military and Veterans
• The College Guide for Servicemembers and Veterans
• Top Military Friendly Colleges