Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs)

Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs) are SBA-funded resource centers that provide entrepreneurial development services specifically for veterans and the military community. There are 22 VBOCs located across the country, each serving a designated geographic region.

VBOCs are part of the SBA's Office of Veterans Business Development (OVBD) and serve as one of the primary federal resources for veterans interested in starting, growing, or sustaining a small business. All services are provided at no cost to participants.

VBOCs offer a comprehensive range of entrepreneurial support services, including:

• Pre-business plan workshops: Structured sessions to help you evaluate your business idea and understand the fundamentals of starting a business before you commit
• Concept assessments: One-on-one evaluations of your business concept, helping you identify strengths, weaknesses, and viability
• Business plan preparation: Hands-on assistance developing a complete business plan, including market analysis, financial projections, and operational strategy
• Mentorship: Ongoing guidance from experienced business advisors who can help you navigate challenges and make informed decisions
• Training in core business skills: Workshops and courses covering accounting, marketing, management, finance, and other essential business topics
• Feasibility analysis: Objective assessment of whether your business idea is commercially viable in your target market
• Referrals to other SBA resources: VBOCs connect you with other SBA resource partners — including SCORE mentors, Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), and Women's Business Centers (WBCs) — as well as lending resources and other federal programs

All services are FREE. There is no cost for any VBOC service, regardless of how many times you visit or how much assistance you receive.

VBOCs serve a broad segment of the military community. You are eligible if you are:

• A veteran of any era: Whether you served in Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq, Afghanistan, or during peacetime — all veterans are welcome
• A transitioning service member: Active-duty service members preparing to separate or retire from the military
• A National Guard or Reserve member: Including those who have not been activated for federal service
• A military spouse: Spouses of veterans and active-duty service members are eligible for all VBOC services

VBOCs often serve as the delivery mechanism for the SBA's Boots to Business curriculum, which is the entrepreneurship track of the Department of Defense's Transition Assistance Program (TAP).

If you completed Boots to Business during your transition and want to continue developing your business idea, your local VBOC is the natural next step. VBOC counselors can pick up where Boots to Business left off and provide the deeper, ongoing support needed to turn a concept into an operating business.

Use the SBA's VBOC locator tool to find the center serving your area:

SBA VBOC Locator on SBA.gov

Each VBOC covers a specific geographic region. If there is not a VBOC physically near you, many offer virtual counseling and online workshops, so distance does not have to be a barrier.

Your first interaction with a VBOC will typically involve:

• Intake and assessment: A counselor will learn about your background, your business idea (if you have one), and your goals. If you do not have a specific business idea yet, that is perfectly fine — VBOCs help with the idea stage too.
• Needs evaluation: The counselor will identify where you are in the entrepreneurial journey and what kind of support will be most helpful — whether that is training, business plan development, market research, or something else.
• Action plan: You and your counselor will outline next steps, which may include attending workshops, working on a business plan, conducting market research, or connecting with other resources.
• Ongoing relationship: VBOC support is not a one-time visit. You can return as often as needed and continue working with your counselor over weeks or months as your business develops.

• Not all areas have a nearby VBOC: With 22 centers covering the entire country, some veterans may not have a VBOC within easy driving distance. However, many VBOCs offer virtual counseling sessions and online workshops. Contact the VBOC serving your region to ask about remote services.
• VBOCs are resource centers, not lenders: VBOCs help you prepare to start or grow a business — they do not provide funding, loans, or grants directly. They can help you develop a business plan strong enough to secure funding and can refer you to lenders and other capital sources, but the money does not come from the VBOC itself.
• Quality of services can vary by location: Each VBOC is operated by a different host organization, and the depth and quality of services can differ from one center to another. If your initial experience is not what you hoped for, consider supplementing with other SBA resource partners like SCORE mentors or your local Small Business Development Center (SBDC).
• Come prepared to get the most out of it: While VBOCs welcome veterans at any stage, you will get more from the experience if you have given some thought to what kind of business you want to start, who your customers might be, and what questions you need answered.

• SBA VBOC Locator — Find a Center Near You
• SBA Office of Veterans Business Development
• Boots to Business Program