active Federal Program

SBA Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC)

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

Free counseling services

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The short version

Free business help for the military community

A network of 31 organizations across the US providing free counseling, training, and mentoring exclusively to veterans, active service members, National Guard and Reserve members, military spouses, and family members interested in starting or growing a business. VBOCs deliver Boots to Business entrepreneurship education on military installations and offer in-depth follow-on counseling including business plan development, financial statement reviews, and connections to SBA lending programs and veteran-specific capital sources.

Funding type: Program
Level: Federal
Amount range: $0
Realistic amount: No cash transferred to clients. The economic value lies in advisor time, training, and warm introductions. Veteran entre…
Deadline: Rolling — no application deadline. Contact your nearest VBOC at any time.
Status: active
States: Nationwide
Payment model: subsidized services

Who qualifies

Must be a veteran (honorably or generally discharged), active duty service member within 12 months of separation, member of the National Guard or Army Reserve (active or inactive), or a military spouse or immediate family member of an eligible veteran or service member.
Applicants must be current or prospective small business owners — including pre-revenue entrepreneurs in the planning stage. No business must be in operation to seek initial counseling.
Must be located in or planning to operate a business in the United States (all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and U.S. territories are served, though the 31 VBOC organizations are not evenly distributed; some serve multi-state regions).
No minimum revenue, time in business, or industry restriction. Transitioning service members with no business experience and veteran-owned companies with 50+ employees can both access VBOC services.
No SAM.gov registration required — VBOC is a services program. Clients contact their regional center directly without federal registration.
No application fee and no competitive selection. All eligible military community members can access free VBOC counseling.
DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) is typically requested at intake to verify veteran status, but centers generally do not require it to schedule a first appointment.

Hard requirements

Veteran ownership required

What it covers

Eligible expenses

Business plan development and review from idea stage through growth planning
Boots to Business and B2B Reboot entrepreneurship education (free 2-day workshops on military installations and through VBOCs)
SBA loan application preparation — 7(a), 504, Express, and Microloan programs
Monthly financial statement review and accounting orientation
VOSB (Veteran-Owned Small Business) and SDVOSB (Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business) federal certification guidance
Federal government contracting orientation, capability statement development, and SAM.gov registration help
Manufacturing, international trade, franchising, and internet marketing training
On-site business consultations at the client's facility (some VBOCs offer this for established businesses)
Referrals to state and local veteran business programs, grants, and capital sources

Ineligible expenses

No cash grants or loans — VBOC provides advisory services and referrals, not direct financial assistance
Legal representation — VBOCs provide business guidance, not legal services
Services to individuals who do not meet the veteran/military community eligibility criteria (non-veteran civilians should use SBDC or WBC instead)
Businesses that exceed SBA small business size standards
Non-U.S.-located businesses

How to apply

1

Find your nearest VBOC

Go to sba.gov/vboc and enter your ZIP code. You will be matched with the nearest VBOC organization. Because there are only 31 VBOC organizations serving the entire country, some are regional centers serving multiple states — your nearest location may be in an adjacent state. Most VBOCs offer virtual counseling, which removes geographic barriers. Confirm the center's hours and whether they have advisors with experience in your industry or business challenge.

~0.25 hrs
2

Schedule an intake session and prepare documentation

Call or email the VBOC to book a free initial counseling session. Have your DD-214 (or military ID if active duty) ready. Also prepare a brief description of your business or idea, your top 2–3 questions, and any financial records if the business is established. Most VBOCs can schedule within 1–2 weeks; virtual sessions are available.

~0.5 hrs
3

Complete counseling sessions and take Boots to Business if eligible

Work with your VBOC advisor over multiple sessions. If you are transitioning from active duty, enroll in Boots to Business through your installation's TAP program — it is a 2-day in-person workshop followed by optional online B2B Revenue Readiness coursework. Civilian veterans can attend B2B Reboot, a condensed version offered through VBOCs. Your advisor will help you build a business plan, review financials, prepare for SBA loan applications, and navigate VOSB/SDVOSB certification if you are pursuing federal contracts.

~12 hrs
4

Access capital and certification resources

Your VBOC advisor can provide warm introductions to SBA lenders, CDFI veteran lenders, and state veteran business programs. If federal contracting is a goal, the advisor will help you prepare for VOSB or SDVOSB certification through the SBA's Veteran Small Business Certification program (previously administered by VA's CVE). This certification unlocks federal set-aside contracts — one of the most valuable financial opportunities available to veteran-owned businesses.

~8 hrs

Insider tip

VOSB and SDVOSB federal certifications — which VBOCs help you pursue — unlock set-aside contracts worth billions annually; most veteran founders don't realize this is available.

Deadline & timing

VBOCs operate year-round with no intake cycles or competitive deadlines. Find your nearest center at sba.gov/vboc. Boots to Business classes are tied to military installation schedules — check with your installation's Transition Assistance Program (TAP) office for upcoming cohort dates. Civilian veterans not on an installation can access B2B Reboot through VBOCs directly.

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Last reviewed 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.