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.

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.