Boots to Business

Free SBA entrepreneurship training offered as part of the DOD Transition Assistance Program (TAP) — and available to veterans who have already separated.

Disclaimer: This information is for general guidance only and may not reflect recent changes. Always verify with the official source linked below. This is not legal, medical, or financial advice.

What Is Boots to Business?

Boots to Business is an entrepreneurial education program offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as an elective track within the Department of Defense's Transition Assistance Program (TAP). It is designed to introduce service members and veterans to the fundamentals of business ownership and connect them with SBA resources to support their entrepreneurial journey.

The program is one of the most accessible entry points for veterans considering business ownership. It is completely free and available both on military installations and online.

Program Phases

Phase 1: Introduction to Entrepreneurship (2-Day Course)

This two-day course is offered as part of the TAP curriculum at military installations. It covers the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, including how to identify a business opportunity, the basics of a business plan, an overview of available SBA resources, and an introduction to business financing. This phase is designed to help you determine whether business ownership is the right path for you.

Phase 2: Foundations of Entrepreneurship (8-Week Online Course)

The second phase is a deeper dive delivered online over eight weeks. It covers business plan development in detail, market research, marketing strategies, revenue models, and how to access capital. Participants work on developing their own business concepts throughout the course.

Boots to Business Reboot

Already separated? Boots to Business Reboot offers the same curriculum as the standard program but is available to veterans who have already transitioned out of the military. You do not need to be currently going through TAP to participate.

Reboot courses are offered online and at various locations throughout the year. This is an excellent option for veterans of any era who missed the program during their transition or who are considering entrepreneurship later in their post-military career.

What You Learn

Business fundamentals — Core concepts of starting and running a business
Opportunity recognition — How to identify viable business ideas and evaluate market demand
Business planning — Developing a structured business plan from concept to execution
Marketing — Strategies for reaching your target market and building a customer base
Financing — Understanding funding options including SBA loans, investors, and bootstrapping

Who Is Eligible?

Transitioning service members (all branches)
Veterans of all eras
Members of the National Guard and Reserve
Spouses of service members and veterans

Cost: FREE. There is no charge for any part of the Boots to Business program.

Revenue Readiness

Revenue Readiness is a newer addition to the Boots to Business family of programs. It is a short, focused course designed to help aspiring and early-stage veteran entrepreneurs refine their business model and prepare to generate revenue. Revenue Readiness bridges the gap between the foundational training of Boots to Business and the practical steps needed to launch and sustain a business.

How to Sign Up

Currently in TAP: Ask your installation's TAP office about the Boots to Business elective track. It is offered as a two-day course during the transition process.

Already separated: Visit the SBA's Boots to Business website to register for a Reboot course or an online session. Courses are offered throughout the year with multiple start dates.

Things to Watch Out For

This is education, not funding. Boots to Business teaches you how to start a business — it does not provide capital, grants, or loans. You will learn about funding options, but the program itself is a training course.
Not a guaranteed path to success. Like any education program, what you get out of it depends on what you put in. The program provides a strong foundation, but launching a successful business requires additional work beyond the coursework.
Follow-up resources matter. After completing the program, take advantage of the SBA's free follow-up resources — SCORE mentors, Veteran Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs), and Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) can provide ongoing support.