Business and Entrepreneurship

Support for Veteran-Owned Businesses and Entrepreneurs

Visit VetConnectNYC.org

The NYC Department of Veterans' Services (DVS) connects veteran business owners and entrepreneurs to the resources and services they need to grow and succeed, including funding opportunities, training programs, and networking events.

Connect to entrepreneur services by filling out the VetConnectNYC form and selecting "Entrepreneurship" as your preferred service:


Request Services on VetConnectNYC


See below for a list of resources to support veterans entrepreneurs and business owners:

Click a topic, or press the enter key on a topic, to reveal its answer.

Business Programs at NYC Small Business Services

The Department of Small Business Services (SBS) offers a wide variety of free and high-quality services to help start, operate, and grow a small business in NYC. Our agency does not issue fines or violations, and we are only here to help. Click here for an Overview of Business Programs at NYC Small Business Services. To Find out more about how the City can help your business by calling our hotline at 888-SBS-4NYC or visiting www.nyc.gov/business.

Starting a Small Business

Entrepreneur Training Programs

Business Mentorship and Networking

  • The M/WBE Leadership Association help women and minority-owned businesses become M/WBE certified, develop proposals, secure funds for projects, and connect to potential customers.
  • Vets in Tech (VIT) supports current and returning veterans with re-integration services and connects them to the national technology ecosystem. VIT introduces veterans to a tech-specific network, resources, and programs for those interested in education, entrepreneurship, and employment.
  • Bunker Labs NYC provides networking and resources to veterans looking to start their own businesses.
  • The Veteran and Military Business Owners Association (VAMBOA) connects veteran entrepreneurs to private corporations and government agencies and provides opportunities for networking, collaboration, mentoring, and business coaching.

Business Certifications

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses

The Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses program (SDVOSBC) offers resources for service-disabled veteran-owned businesses looking to procure federal contracts.

Become certified as a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business and get access to New York State contracting opportunities. Certification Eligibility:

  • The business must be independently owned and operated and have a significant business presence in New York State.
  • One or more service-disabled veterans, with a service-connected disability rating of 10% or more from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (or from the New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs for National Guard veterans), must own at least 51% of the business.
  • Service-disabled veteran ownership must be real, substantial, and continuing.
  • The eligible service-disabled veteran owner(s) must have (and exercise) authority to independently control the day-to-day business decisions.
  • The business must qualify as a small business under the New York State program.
  • The business must be located in New York State or have a significant business presence in New York State.

Business Reopening

Grants and Loans for Small Business

  • View SBA loan programs for veteran-owned businesses
  • SBA Veterans Advantage Guaranteed Loans are a variety of loan programs designed to assist veterans in acquiring capital to start, grow or succeed in business. To qualify, a veteran small business must be at least 51% owned and controlled by an individual in the following group:
    • Honorably discharged veterans
    • Active Duty Military service members eligible for the military's Transition Assistance Program (TAP)
    • Active Reservists and/or active National Guard Members or
    • Current spouse of any veteran, Active Duty service member, Reservist, National Guard member, or the widowed spouse of a service member who died while in service or as a result of a service-connected disability.
    • Additional eligibility requirements in New York Codes, Rules and Regulations Part 252 Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Enterprise Program.
  • Administered by the NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets, the NYS Restaurant Resiliency Program provides New York's regional food banks with funding to purchase prepared meals from participating New York restaurants and deliver them to families in need. If you are interested in becoming a participating restaurant, read the program terms and conditions and apply.
  • The NYS Pandemic Recovery Grant Program provides grant assistance to currently viable small businesses, micro-businesses, and for-profit independent arts/cultural organizations who have experienced economic hardship due to COVID-19. Small businesses and for-profits incorporated in OR registered/licensed to do business in NYS are now eligible to apply. View the program and application guide. If your business was previously denied, call 877-721-0097 to update your case file.

Legal Services

The Commercial Lease Assistance Program offers free legal services for businesses struggling with commercial lease issues.

Federal Relief for Small Businesses

The U.S. Small Business Administration's Economic Injury Disaster Loan and Grant provides low-interest loans of up to 30 years to all qualified small businesses, including agricultural businesses, and private nonprofit organizations that have lost revenue during the economic crisis. The application deadline is 11:59 PM ET on December 31, 2021. Visit the SBS website for free assistance applying for emergency funding programs.

Join COVID-19 Relief Efforts

  • Manufacture Supplies: If you're a veteran business owner or veteran entrepreneur and you believe your company can donate medical supplies, please fill out NYC's Supply Registration Form. If your company can source or manufacture medical supplies such as face shields, gowns, ventilators, and masks please visit the New York City Economic Development Corporation's website.
  • Share Your Space: American Legions, VFWs, and other VSOs are encouraged to share their space to support NYC's emergency operations and community outreach events. Visit the Office of Emergency Management to learn how you can share your space.

VetBizNYC: Interactive Veteran-Owned Business Map

DVS has launched VetBizNYC, an interactive map that identifies Veteran-owned businesses across NYC.

More than 150 businesses have been added to our interactive map so far, with pins showing their location in the five boroughs. The businesses represent a cross-section of industries such as construction, restaurants, photographers, gardening, and office supplies. It also includes key business contact information as well as a list of a business's city and state certifications. VOBs can fill out our online form to be included in our interactive map

Additional Resources