15 Small Business Grants for Veterans

Transitioning from military service to civilian entrepreneurship can be a rewarding journey, and thankfully, there are resources available to help veterans launch and grow their businesses. Small business grants offer a fantastic opportunity to secure funding without the burden of repayment. If you’re a veteran with an entrepreneurial spirit, exploring these grants could be the key to turning your business dreams into reality.

Understanding Small Business Grants for Veterans

A grant is essentially a financial award given to support specific business development goals. Unlike loans, grants don’t need to be paid back, meaning you can invest the full amount directly into advancing your venture. These programs are designed to acknowledge the unique skills, discipline, and leadership veterans bring to the business world.

Top National Grants and Programs

1. **Warrior Rising:** This program supports veterans and their families in starting or expanding businesses, often requiring completion of their training programs like Warrior Academy or Warrior University before grant eligibility.
2. **Stephen L. Tadlock Veteran Grant:** Offering microgrants of $1,000 to 20 recipients annually, this grant is ideal for disabled veterans and veteran-owned businesses with a small team (2-100 employees) and revenue under $5 million.
3. **The Second Service Foundation (Military Entrepreneur Challenge):** This program provides speed coaching and a pitch session for a chance to win a grant. Participants register online, receive coaching, and submit a compelling business pitch.
4. **Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund:** Tailored for veterans pursuing agriculture, this fund offers awards from $1,000 to $5,000 for those in the early stages of a farm or ranch business. Membership in the Farmer Veteran Coalition is required.
5. **Hiring Our Heroes Small Business Grant Program:** This annual program awards cash grants (four at $10,000, one at $25,000) to veteran- and military spouse-owned businesses with 3-20 employees and under $5 million in annual revenue.
6. **StreetShares Foundation’s Veteran Small Business Award:** Typically offering awards between $4,000-$15,000, this grant prioritizes businesses with at least 51% veteran ownership and a demonstrated impact on the veteran community.
7. **National Association for Self-Employed (NASE) Growth Grants:** Offering $4,000 quarterly, NASE grants can help veterans expand operations. Veterans receive a 15% discount on membership, which is required to apply.
8. **U.S. Chamber of Commerce CO-100:** While not exclusively for veterans, this award honors 100 small businesses for innovation and growth, with a grand prize of $25,000. Veteran-owned businesses can apply under standard eligibility (under 250 employees, less than $20 million revenue).

Grants Focused on Specific Needs or Regions

• **The Cornerstone Grant (Square):** Offers $10,000 and mentorship to businesses using Square with fewer than 20 employees and less than $2 million in revenue. It supports entrepreneurs from underserved communities, including veterans.
• **Michigan Veteran Entrepreneur-Lab (MVE-Lab):** A Grand Valley State University initiative awarding at least $20,000 in grants to veterans and military spouses through a cohort program.
• **Texas Woman’s University Veteran Woman Grant:** Provides 25 grants of $5,000 each to women veterans who own at least 51% of their business.
• **Beyond Open Small Business Grant (Charlotte, NC):** Offers financial assistance ranging from $10,000 to $150,000 for entrepreneurs in Charlotte.
• **Hawaii State Programs:** Various state-level grants and funding programs exist to support veteran entrepreneurs across Hawaii, often focusing on business development and community impact.

Alternative Funding and Resources

Beyond grants, consider exploring loan programs like those offered by **Hivers and Strivers**, which invest $250,000 to $1 million in veteran-led startups for equity. The **U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)** also provides various loan programs specifically for veterans, including capped fee financing and microloans.

Where to Find More Opportunities

To discover a wider range of funding options, **Grants.gov** is an excellent database listing over 1,000 federal funding programs. **GrantWatch** also features thousands of business grants, with search tools to filter for veteran-specific opportunities. While browsing is free, a subscription is needed for full access.

With nearly 1.6 million veteran-owned businesses already contributing significantly to the U.S. economy, your entrepreneurial journey is part of a proud tradition. By leveraging these grants and resources, you can build a strong foundation for your business success.