WASHINGTON, Oct. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Administrator Isabel Guzman, the head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and voice in President Biden’s Cabinet for America’s more than 33 million small businesses, announced the SBA will celebrate the 10th annual National Veterans Small Business Week (NVSBW) from Oct. 30 to Nov. 3.

Throughout the week, the SBA, its resource partners, and local organizations across the country will host a series of virtual and in-person events to highlight the entrepreneurial journeys of veteran- and military spouse-owned small business owners and the agency’s support of this important community. Topics include transition assistance, entrepreneurial training, government contracting, disaster assistance, and access to capital. Currently, there are around 100 virtual events that are free and open to the public. View the full schedule and register at  sba.gov/nvsbw.

“For the last 10 years, the SBA has celebrated National Veterans Small Business Week to honor and highlight America’s nearly two million veteran entrepreneurs who have served our nation heroically in the military and now as leaders of their local communities,” said Administrator Guzman. “The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to supporting veterans in every facet of their lives once they return home, and the SBA stands ready to help thousands of transitioning service members, veterans and military spouses get access to opportunity and the American dream through the path of business ownership.”

In addition to its support for veteran-owned small businesses, the Biden-Harris Administration recently announced an executive order to support military spouses, under which the SBA will provide resources, capital and other specialized support to help get their businesses off the ground. The SBA has made a number of key changes in the past year to expand access to capital for veteran- and military spouse-owned small businesses, including:

• Implementing the SBA Veteran Business Certification program, which connects service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses with federal contracting opportunities through a more streamlined and user-friendly process.
• Expanding the Veteran Business Outreach Center (VBOC) program from 22 to 28 VBOCs across the country to provide more resources and support to active service members, veterans and military spouses.
• Overhauling its loan program to expand access to capital for veteran-owned small businesses.
• Launching its new Military Spouse Pathway to Business training program to help military spouses looking to start their entrepreneurial journey. 

Each year, veteran-owned businesses make significant contributions to the U.S. economy, employing over 5 million Americans and generating $1.3 trillion in total sales.

For more information about National Veterans Small Business Week, and to find events in your area, visit sba.gov/nvsbw. Sign up for an event and join the online conversation using the hashtag #NVSBW23. 

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About the Office of Veterans Business Development

The SBA’s Office of Veterans Business Development (OVBD) works through SBA’s extensive resource partner network, which includes Small Business Development Centers, SCORE, Women’s Business Centers and 28 VBOCs located throughout the nation. VBOCs are also the leading partner in hosting the Boots to Business, Boots to Business Reboot and Pathway to Business programs, which offer courses on entrepreneurship on military installations and in local communities. Since the program’s inception in 2013, Boots to Business has trained and graduated more than 189,000 service members, veterans, National Guard and Reserve members and military spouses. For more information on the resources available for veteran entrepreneurs, visit sba.gov/veterans.

About National Veterans Small Business Week

The U.S. Small Business Administration celebrates, connects and empowers service members (including National Guard and Reserve), veterans and military spouse entrepreneurs and business owners — past, present, and future — during National Veterans Small Business Week (NVSBW). Now in its 10th year, NVSBW raises awareness of veteran small business ownership and encourages communities to support their veteran- and military-owned businesses. To learn more, visit sba.gov/nvsbw.

About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality.  As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small-business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit sba.gov.

Christine Saah-Nazer
U.S. Small Business Administration
202-756-0304
Christine.SaahNazer@sba.gov

Han Nguyen
U.S. Small Business Administration
202-756-0304
han.nguyen@sba.gov