Resource Library

The nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors, is dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals. Since 1964, SCORE has provided education and mentorship to more than 11 million entrepreneurs. SBA is a sponsor. https://www.score.org

The government sells large amounts of natural resources and surplus property. SBA works with federal agencies to direct a fair share to small businesses. Program details and eligibility: https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/natural-resource-sales-assistance-program

The program fuels small business growth in historically underutilized business zones with a goal of awarding at least 3% of federal contract dollars to HUBZone-certified companies each year. Program details and eligibility: https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/hubzone-program

The program provides high-quality assistance to eligible businesses to help them be competitive for federal, state, and local government contracts. Program details and eligibility: https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/7j-management-technical-assistance-program

Joint ventures allow certain businesses to compete together for government contracts reserved for small businesses. Program details and eligibility: https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/joint-ventures

Learn from an experienced government contractor through SBA's Mentor-Protégé Program. Program details and eligibility: https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/sba-mentor-protege-program

The federal government's goal is to award at least 5% of all federal contracting dollars to small disadvantaged businesses each year. The 8(a) program was created to help firms owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. Program details and eligibility: https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/8a-business-development-program

The federal government's goal is to award at least 5% of all federal contracting dollars to women-owned small businesses each year. Program details and eligibility: https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/women-owned-small-business-federal-contracting-program

Each year, the Federal Government awards about 10% of all federal contract dollars, or roughly $50 billion in contracts, to small disadvantaged Businesses. Program details and eligibility: https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/small-disadvantaged-business

ACP Helps Veterans and Spouses Find Their Next Careers. Through our 10+ year mentoring partnership we have jointly helped veterans and their families start and build bigger and better businesses. https://www.acp-usa.org
- Webinar - How to Develop Your Business Idea in 7 Proven Steps (Before You Start One). https://youtu.be/SbxIHgvH31A

SBA Facts on Veterans and Entrepreneurship - According to the most recent data, there is about one veteran-owned firm for every ten veterans … and veteran-owned firms employ 5.8 million individuals. A published SBA study also found that military service exhibits one of the largest marginal effects on self-employment … and veterans are 45% more likely to be self-employed than non-veterans. https://www.sba.gov/content/facts-veterans-and-entrepreneurship

SBA Office of Veterans Business Development Resources - Dozens of useful resources from the Office of Veterans Business Development: https://www.sba.gov/about-sba/sba-locations/headquarters-offices/office-veterans-business-development/office-veterans-business-development-resources#section-header-0

SBA Veteran Assistance Programs - There are several federal programs that help veteran-owned small businesses access federal contract awards and surplus personal property. Every year, the federal government awards a portion of contracting dollars specifically to businesses owned by veterans. Also, small businesses owned by veterans may be eligible to purchase surplus property from the federal government. Program details and eligibility for each: https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/veteran-assistance-programs
- Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) - Businesses must be formally verified through the VA’s Center for Verification and Evaluation (CVE). Note: VOSB verification will transfer from VA to SBA in 2023. https://vetbiz.va.gov/vip/
- Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)
- Surplus Personal Property for Veteran-Owned Small Business

National Center for the Veteran Institute for Procurement - The National Center for Veteran Institute for Procurement (VIP) is a veteran entrepreneurship program that specifically addresses federal procurement. SBA is a sponsor/ https://nationalvip.org

If passed, the Veterans Entrepreneurship Act of 2021 would enable veterans to pursue entrepreneurship by accessing approved grant based resources through the Small Business Administration and their GI Bill benefit program. Available details on Congress HR 3469: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/3469/all-info

(Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization)
- VA Veteran Entrepreneur Portal - The Veteran Entrepreneur Portal (VEP) is designed to save you time with direct access to the resources necessary to guide every step of veteran entrepreneurship: https://www.va.gov/osdbu/entrepreneur/
- VA Entrepreneurship Training - Veterans may be able to get this training if eligible for education benefits through one of several programs: https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/how-to-use-benefits/entrepreneurship-training/

Businesses don’t need to excel at everything to succeed. Instead, they need to focus on mastering one of three distinct value disciplines to gain a competitive advantage.