How To Become a Certified Veteran-Owned Business

In 2019, over 2.5 million small companies were owned by veterans — that’s 10% of all U.S. businesses. It makes sense. Military veterans are highly trained, mission-focused, and at the ready.

In this article, we'll explain why you should certify your veteran-owned business (VOB) or service-disabled veteran-owned business (SDVOB). Well also introduce you to the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Federal Contracting Program, and the National Veteran Business Development Council (NVBDC), the nation's leading veteran-owned business certifier.

Lastly, we’ve included a list of 2022 grants currently available to veteran-owned businesses.

Why Should I Certify My Veteran-Owned Business?

Each year, the federal government and many U.S. corporations set aside a percentage of their contracts exclusively for certified VOBs and SDVOBs. Contract administrators are also given the discretion to award contracts to certified veteran-owned businesses in set-aside contracts worth up to $150K.

Certification provides greater access to federal opportunities who award 5% of its annual budget to certified VOBs – that’s approximately $5B in federal funds looking to be spent. Certified VOBs and SDVOBs are also given preferential treatment when bidding against their equally qualified non-certified counterparts.

How Do I Certify My Veteran-Owned Business and Am I Eligible?

VOB and SDVOB certification is a two-part process. You'll first need to verify your veteran status prior to certification. Start the process through the Veterans Administration (VA). Next, get your paperwork together — there’s lots of it. Here's the big list of documents you’ll need to get started.

Once your veteran status is verified, the next step is to meet the eligibility requirements for certification as set forth by the SBA:

Veteran must have served 180 days on active duty, and received an honorable discharge
Be a small business according to SBA's size standards.
VOBs and SD/VOBs must be owned and operated by U.S. citizen(s).
VOBs and SD/VOBs must be at least 51% veteran-owned, managed, and controlled. Where a veteran is severely disabled, a spouse or family member may handle operations.
Veteran(s) must be the highest-ranking officer in the business.
Veteran(s) must share in all risk and profits commensurate with their ownership interest.
Veteran(s) must direct (or cause to direct) the management and policies of the business including its dissolution or sale, without restriction by any other party.
To qualify for Service Disabled veteran status, the disability must be service related and shown on your DD214 discharge document.

Where Do I Certify My Veteran-Owned Business?

The National Veteran Business Development Council (NVBDC) offers a certification program for VOBs and SDVOBs. The NVBDC is the nation’s leading third party authority for veteran owned business certifications, offering a streamlined process through their online portal.

A non-refundable application fee, ranging between $350 – $2,000 depending on your company’s annual revenue is required to begin the process. You must complete the application process within 90 days:

Complete Form SF-180. Form SF-180, "Request Pertaining to Military Records," must be completed, signed, and mailed to your military branch. The addresses are listed at the bottom of the last page of the SF-180 Form. This allows NVBDC certifiers to access your military records.
Create an account on the NVBDC portal. Here you’ll be walked through a series of questions and steps about your business, asked to upload your supporting documentation, and a prompt to pay for the application fee.

Once completed, the NVBDC will review your documents to determine your eligibility. This process takes 2 - 4 weeks. If your VOB qualifies, the NVBDC conducts an onsite visit to establish if the business meets its “Best Practices” for corporate standards.

If you do not meet the NVBDC’s practice standards and are denied certification there is an appeal process.

What are the Best Veteran-Owned Business Grants and Funding Sources in 2022?

Boots to Business (B2B). The Small Business Administration's (SBA) Boots to Business (B2B) is a training program designed to assist veterans and their spouses on their “mission transition” from military life to civilian entrepreneurship.

Once a participating veteran completes the in-person intro course, all online resources are made available through the online learning platform.

Learn more about B2B.
boots-to-business@sba.gov
202-205-VET1 (202-205-8381)
SBA.gov/vets

Hivers & Strivers — Venture Capital for Veterans. Hivers and Strivers’ Venture Capital for Veterans fund focuses on early-stage investments of veteran-owned start-ups, awarding grants from $250K to $1M every funding cycle. This angel investment team was formed by a group of U.S. military academy graduates who created this fund solely to invest in veteran-owned businesses. Apply online, or contact: Scott C. Davis, scott@hiversandstrivers.com

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Program (SDVOB) Also an SBA program, the federal government sets aside 3% of its annual contracting budget to be awarded solely for SDVOBs.

Once qualified, SDVOBs gain access to SAM.gov’s massive index of federal grants and contracts specifically set aside for service-disabled veteran businesses and exposure to the U.S. Government’s vast supply chain network. Learn more about the SBA’s Veteran services and Veteran-Owned Business services.

Learn about the SBA's grants for service-disabled-veteran-owned small businesses.

Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Grant. Another SBA grant program geared towards veteran-owned businesses is the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant.

If your VOSB does research for the U.S. Government, you may qualify for the STTR grant. Managed by the SBA, various government agencies determine and designate their research needs and accept proposals from qualified VOSBs. Learn more about the STTR program.

Warrior Rising Small Business Grants. Warrior Rising wants to turn veterans into “Vetrepreneurs” This 501(c)(3) non-profit organization is dedicated to helping former U.S. military servicemen and women succeed in business as civilians. Veteran-led, Warrior Rising provides training and mentorship programs, as well as financial and material grants to qualifying military vets.

https://www.warriorrising.org/
contact@warriorrising.org
833-WE-ARE-WR (833-932-7397)

Veteran Transition Mission (VTM). The Veteran Transition Mission (VTM) helps veterans learn valuable vocational and technical skills through hands-on education programs. Currently, VTM offers certification courses in IT & Cybersecurity, and Coding Bootcamps to help vets quickly transition into high-paying, skilled employment in the civilian sector.

To apply, schedule a call with an advisor:
(407) 329-6581
info@veterantransitionmission.org

Get Help Applying for these Programs

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