The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), through its Center for Veterans Enterprise (CVE), established specific programs to help Veterans start a business and become qualified as a Veteran-Owned, or a Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Business, which will enables qualified business owners to be eligible for federal set-asides.

Veteran-Owned Small Businesses

Entrepreneurs

• Do you currently own a small business?
• Are you thinking about opening your own small business?

If the answer to either of these questions is “yes,” then the US Small Business Administration (SBA) has resources to assist you.

The SBA’s Office of Veterans Business Development's mission is to maximize the availability, applicability and usability of all administration small business programs for Veterans, Service-Disabled Veterans, Reserve Component Members, and their Dependents or Survivors.

Their programs include:

• Boots to Business
• Boots to Business Reboot
• Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC)
• Veteran Institute for Procurement (VIP)
• Military Spouses
• Veteran Owned Small Business Growth Training Program

To learn more, visit here.

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses

• Are you interested in being certified as a New York State Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (SDVOB)?
• Are you currently looking to contract with a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business?

If the answer to either of these questions is “yes,” New York State’s Division of Service-Disabled Veterans' Business Development is here to assist you with resources including:

• Directory of New York State Certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses
• Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Certification
• Compliance and Reporting

To learn more, visit here.

More Information

For more information, including assistance with starting a business, becoming qualified, and other business opportunities, visit the VA Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization website.

Additional Resources for Veteran-Owned Business Development

New York State Small Business Development Center 
New York State Veterans Business Outreach Center Program 
OGS Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business Program

New York State maintains a six percent goal for participation on State contracts by Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business.

To qualify as a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business, the business must first be certified by New York State’s Division of Service-Disabled Veterans’ Business Development.

This certification process includes providing proof that the business meets the following criteria:

1. One or more Veterans with a service-connected disability rating of at least 10% must own at least 51% of the business.
2. The Veteran(s) with the qualifying service-disability rating(s) must exercise authority to control independently the day-to-day business decisions.
3. The business must qualify as a small business in New York State.
4. The business must maintain a significant business presence in New York State.

To learn more, or to apply for certification as a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business, contact the Division of Service-Disabled Veterans’ Business Development by phone (518-474-2015), email ([email protected]), or visit their website.