Veteran Owned Businesses Resources and Help

Veteran business owner resources

In the state of Connecticut, there are veteran business owner resources that range from funding, grants, tax credits, mentorships, and more. Find resources just for the vets who’ve selflessly served our nation.

Funding, grants, and loans for veteran-owned businesses in CT

Whether you’re looking for disabled veteran start-up grants or community development grants, find resources to help you start or sustain your veteran-owned business.

Statewide

• Veteran Owned Micro-Business Certification: Qualify for this program if at least 51 percent of your business is held by one or more people defined as a veteran in CGS 27-103(A)(1), provided by Connecticut Veterans Affairs (CVA).
• Resources for veteran-owned businesses: Find multiple incentives you can use to start a veteran-owned business, provided by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD).

Nationwide

• Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSBDU): A veteran entrepreneur portal that can help direct you to grants and much more, provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA).
• Funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
  • Lender Match: Points you to institutions that offer the right loans for you as a vet.
  • Veteran-owned businesses: Visit this page to find funding programs, training, and federal contracting opportunities.
• Military Entrepreneur Challenge: Nationwide grant program that gives veterans, military spouses, and Gold Star Family entrepreneurs the opportunities to network, learn, and compete for capital to grow their small businesses. Program provided by the Second Service Foundation (U.S. SBA partner).
• Workforce Opportunity Tax Credit: Offered by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to certain qualified business owners.

For more funding resources, visit our Business Funding page.

Advice and mentoring for veteran entrepreneurs and business owners

Find business advice and guidance tailored towards veterans. Network with experts and get the most out of your nearest Veterans Business Outreach Centers.

Statewide

• Connecticut Small Business Development Center (SBDC): Find no-cost business advisory services or read Getting Your Veteran-Owned Small Business Certified.

Nationwide

• Resources for veteran entrepreneurs and veteran business owners: SCORE hosts a network of volunteer business advisors, many of them veterans, too.
• Direct Access Program: Opportunities for Veteran-Owned Small Businesses to network and build relationships through the OSBDU.
• Mentorship resources from the U.S. SBA
  • Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs): Business plan workshops, concept assessments, mentorship, and training. This program is available to eligible service members, veterans, National Guard, and Reserve members, provided through the SBA. Find your nearest center.
  • Office of Veterans Business Development: Programs that help veterans start and grow their companies.

Education, training, and development for veteran-owned businesses

There are state and federal programs dedicated to training veteran business owners and entrepreneurs. Take your veteran-owned business to the next level.

• Resources for Connecticut veteran farmers: Includes information on Homegrown Heroes, USDA resources, and more, from the Connecticut Department of Agriculture (DoAG).
• Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV): UConn’s cutting-edge training for entrepreneurship and small business management for post-9/11 veterans.
• OSDBU training: Training geared towards veteran business owners, entrepreneurs, and employees.
• Training programs from the U.S. SBA
  • Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs): Business plan workshops, concept assessments, mentorship, and training. This program is available to eligible service members, veterans, National Guard, and Reserve members, provided through the SBA. Find your nearest center.
  • Office of Veterans Business Development: Programs that help veterans start and grow their companies.

Marketing and sales opportunities for veterans

Help your veteran-owned business win government contracts with financial assistance, “Vets First” programs, and other tools to help you succeed.

Statewide

• Veteran Owned Micro-Business Certification: Learn more about a fifteen percent price preference in the determination of the lowest responsible qualified bidder by the Connecticut Department of Administrative Services (DAS).

Nationwide

• Veteran contracting assistance programs: Federal programs that help veteran-owned small businesses access federal contract awards and surplus personal property.
• Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Program: Aims to improve prime and subcontracting opportunities for veteran and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses
• Federal contracting programs from the U.S. SBA
  • Veteran contracting assistance programs: Learn about federal programs that help veteran-owned small businesses access federal contract awards and surplus personal property.
• Federal contracting resources from the U.S. DVA
  • OSBDU Veteran Entrepreneur Portal: Do more business with federal agencies and easily access more opportunities.
  • VetBiz: Unique platform designed to support veteran-owned small businesses and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses in their efforts to do business with the federal government.
  • Vets First Contracting Program: Federal program through OSBDU, designed to increase contracting opportunities for veteran-owned small businesses and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses.

Additional resources for veteran-owned businesses in Connecticut

• Workforce Opportunity Tax Credit: Identify tax incentives for hiring veterans.
• Department of Labor Employer Resources: Find and hire veterans for your company.