Office of VA Business Development

The Small Business Administration Office of VA Business Development serves as a dedicated division within the U.S. Small Business Administration focused on supporting veteran entrepreneurship and business ownership. It designs, implements, and administers programs specifically tailored to veterans, service-disabled veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses who seek to start or expand small businesses. The office coordinates a nationwide network of outreach centers, entrepreneurship training programs, and business development initiatives to provide military-connected individuals with the resources needed to succeed in the private sector through business ownership.

The Office of VA Business Development's contracting activity reflects its commitment to providing technological tools and support services for veteran entrepreneurs. Recent contract awards include a $139,592 purchase order to Ibisworld, Inc. for industry research database subscription and user licenses, providing valuable market intelligence resources for veteran business owners and program participants. The office also invested in software licenses through a $111,600 purchase order to Palo Alto Software for Live Plan software renewal and a $149,701 delivery order to Regency Consulting for Salesforce license renewal, both critical tools that enhance service delivery to veteran entrepreneurs.

The most substantial recent contract is a $3.94 million delivery order awarded to Pathways 2 Solutions, a service-disabled veteran-owned small business, for Boots to Business marketing and outreach services. This significant investment demonstrates the office's focus on not only providing direct services but also effectively marketing these opportunities to ensure maximum awareness and participation among the veteran community. Notably, the office utilizes various contract vehicles and prioritizes veteran-owned businesses in its procurement practices, with several awards specifically set aside for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses.

The grant-making activity of the Office of VA Business Development is extensive, with a clear focus on building nationwide infrastructure to support veteran entrepreneurship. The office administers numerous grants under the Veterans Outreach Program (CFDA 59.044), primarily funding Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs) operated by universities, community colleges, and non-profit organizations. These VBOCs serve as the backbone of the office's service delivery system, providing direct entrepreneurship training, business development assistance, counseling, and management support services to veterans and military-connected individuals. Notable VBOC grants include awards to prominent institutions such as Mississippi State University ($400,000), Syracuse University ($150,000), and The Citadel ($375,000).

In addition to the VBOC network, the office funds specialized entrepreneurship training initiatives like the Service-Disabled Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Program (SDVETP). Recent SDVETP grants were awarded to Oklahoma State University, Saint Joseph's University, and other organizations focused on delivering targeted entrepreneurship education. The comprehensive grant portfolio also includes substantial awards to organizations like the Montgomery County Chamber Community Foundation ($500,000) and Syracuse University's Institute for Veterans and Military Families ($1.1 million) to provide specialized entrepreneurship training and business development services. These grants collectively establish a robust support ecosystem that helps military-connected entrepreneurs access education, technical assistance, mentoring, and capital resources necessary for small business success.