Data shared by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) shows that Veterans are 45% more likely to start their own businesses than people without active-duty military experience. The SBA’s data also showed that Veteran-owned small businesses have a higher success rate.

Veteran Entrepreneurs utilize a skill set and drive to succeed that they developed through their military service. Their successes boost our nation’s economy. According to data from the most recent U.S. Census, 10% of all U.S. small businesses are Veteran owned. Veteran owned businesses generate more than $1.2 trillion in receipts each year, and employ over 5.5 million Americans, many of them Veterans as well.

In a campaign to boost the economy by generating more Veteran entrepreneurs, the president and the SBA have launched programs that include the Boots to Business program. This initiative is an entrepreneurship training program for transitioning service members that educate them on how to start, develop and maintain their small businesses. The SBA has provided Boots to Business to over 6,000 service members since its inception.

Another way to boost entrepreneurship is by honoring and recognizing the individuals who are making a difference both as Veteran entrepreneurs and those working to advance Veteran entrepreneurs. You can help identify and honor Veteran entrepreneurs, Veteran spouse entrepreneurs, and organizations that support Veteran entrepreneurs by nominating a Champion of Change for Veteran Entrepreneurship by midnight on June 24th.

Honorees receive an invitation to the White House to share their ideas in order to win the future.

Nominees may include:
• Veterans who have started either a for-profit or non-profit business.
• Veteran spouses who have started a for-profit or non-profit business.
• Organizations that support Veteran entrepreneurs by providing them with skills, capital, or other resources.
Nominations can be submitted on the Nominations Page at www.whitehouse.gov/champions
The Veteran and Military Business Owners Association (VAMBOA) is a non-profit business trade association that promotes and assists Veteran Business Owners, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses (SDVOB) and Military Business Owners. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and responsible for job generation. That is why VAMBOA provides its members with Business Coaching, Contracting Opportunities, a Blog that provides information, Networking contacts and other resources. Membership is FREE to Veterans. Join Now!

VAMBOA: Champions of Change Nominees: By Debbie Gregory

Recently, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the 2015 Defense Authorization Act (NDAA.) The House’s version of the act intends to transfer the Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) verification responsibility from the VA to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Currently, the VA’s Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDB) is responsible for the verification. The OSDB runs SDVOSB verification through their VetBiz website at www.vetbiz.gov.

Under the version that the House just passed, the VA would be directed to use the SBA’s definition of a SDVOSB until the transfer of responsibilities to the SBA is complete. In the past, the requirements to qualify as a SDVOSB has varied, depending on whether an acquisition falls under the VA’s or SBA’s SDVOSB rules. Requiring both agencies to use the same definition could resolve a major problem.

But if the Senate passes the bill without amending it and the president signs off, the VA would not use the SBA’s definition for long. As it stands, the bill requires the VA to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the SBA within 180 days, under which the VA will transfer control and administration of the SDVOSB verification program to the SBA.

The current NDAA in the Senate specifies that the SBA’s Office of Hearings and Appeals would be responsible for all appeals regarding denied verifications or appeals from SDVOSB status protests under VA set-aside contracts. The bill currently does not specify whether SDVOSB status protests would be decided by the SBA, or continue to be settled by the VA.

It is likely that the House-passed NDAA will not make it through the Senate without changes. If so, the NDAA for fiscal 2015 will not be enacted until a House-Senate conference committee can reach an agreement.If the Senate agrees, and the President signs the bill into law, the process of transferring SDVOSB verification from the VA CVE to the SBA could begin later this year.

Veteran small business owners and Service-Disabled small business owners should pay attention to how the FY 2015 NDAA plays out. It could mean big changes are in store.

The Veteran and Military Business Owners Association (VAMBOA) is a non-profit business trade association that promotes and assists Veteran Business Owners, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses (SDVOB) and Military Business Owners. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and responsible for job generation. That is why VAMBOA provides its members with Business Coaching, Contracting Opportunities, a Blog that provides information, Networking contacts and other resources. Membership is FREE to Veterans. Join Now!

VAMBOA: House Bill Could Change SDVOSB Law: By Debbie Gregory

VetsinTech is a non-profit organization that supports Veterans by bringing together a tech-specific network of resources and programs for Veterans interested in education, entrepreneurship, and employment. As part of Military Appreciation Month and national Small Business Week, a new initiative was launched by Vets in Tech to help Veteran entrepreneurs generate the necessary capital to start their own business.

The new program is called VetCap, as in capital for Veterans. VetCap consists of a nation-wide series of workshops and seminars designed educate Veteran entrepreneurs on where and how to raise the capital they need to start and expand their businesses.

VetCap is an independent program that was organized by VetsinTech and other private concerns across the country. Veteran entrepreneurs should note that VetCap and Vets in Tech are not part of or affiliated with any government agency.
The organizers of VetCap devised the program after attending a White House and Joining Forces Veterans Entrepreneurship workshop in February.

VetsinTech hosted the first of hopefully many VetCap workshops on May 14th in San Francisco. The event was held at the offices of the venture capital firm Next World Capital. More than 50 Veteran Entrepreneurs attended, and a panel of experts in investing and lending led discussions on raising capital and pitching to investors.

For upcoming VetsinTech and VetCap workshops in your area, be sure to go to www.vetsintech.co and join their mailing list.

The Veteran and Military Business Owners Association (VAMBOA) is a non-profit business trade association that promotes and assists Veteran Business Owners, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses (SDVOB) and Military Business Owners. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and responsible for job generation. That is why VAMBOA provides its members with Business Coaching, Contracting Opportunities, a Blog that provides information, Networking contacts and other resources. Membership is FREE to Veterans. Join Now!

VAMBOA: VetsinTech Launched VetCap: By Debbie Gregory

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Some of the greatest entrepreneurs have been war veterans. Just look at Fred Smith, who created FedEx FDX +1.16% (FDX). He served in the US Marine Corps from 1966 to 1969 (he flew on over 200 combat missions in Vietnam and received the Silver Star, Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts). In fact, Smith thought his experience with logistics was critical for his entrepreneurial success.

So with many veterans now looking for opportunities, why not explore a startup? Well, according to Craig Hanson, who is a venture partner at Next World Capital, he is making this a priority. To this end, he has setup VetCap, which was launched last week.

“An SBA study shows that veterans are 45% more likely to start their own business,” said Craig. “But one of the foremost challenges for these entrepreneurs is knowing where and how to raise the capital they need for their business. This is something I know a bit about.”

VetCap plans to rollout workshops across the US, which will include many top venture capitalists and entrepreneurs. At the inaugural event in San Francisco, for example, some of the attendees were Katherine Webster, Executive Director and Founder of VetsinTech; David Mayhew, Chief Risk Officer of GE Ventures; and Kevin Laws, COO/Angel Investor of AngelList.

“As we started getting the word out about the event,” said Craig, “the response from the veterans community was amazing. Veterans were passing the news around, and some even flew in for the event. Originally we hoped to get 30 veteran entrepreneurs to attend; we ended up with a packed house of 80 people.”

While the event was focused on the tech market, this will not necessarily be the case for others. “The topic will change based on the area,” said Craig.

In fact, VetCap is kind of like the concept of open-source software! That is, the platform is easy to setup and customize in any city.

“The main takeaway was that VetCap has hit upon a huge need,” said Craig, “and we’re working on rolling out the next workshops.”

Debbie Gregory, CEO

MilitaryConnection.com

(800)-817-3777 or (805) 306-0580 x124

debbieg@militaryconnection.com

Founder, VAMBOA.org – Veteran and Military Business Owners Association

2013 Commitment To Service Award – Give An Hour

2011 Spirit of Small Business Award – Pacific Coast Business Times
2009 Woman Business Owner of the Year, NAWBO, Ventura County

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The Veteran and Military Business Owners Association (VAMBOA) is always ready to express gratitude to the men and women who have served their country. This gratitude is expressed to those who are now braving the entrepreneurial path by connecting them with resources and benefits to start or grow their business. This week, more than ever, VAMBOA would like to offer a special salute to all Veteran business owners during National Small Business Week 2014.

President Obama proclaimed May 12-16 2014 as National Small Business Week in order to recognize entrepreneurs and small business owners as the “lifeblood” of our nation’s economy. Small businesses employ more than half of America’s workforce, and are responsible for creating almost two out of every three new jobs each year.

Each year, National Small Business Week is hosted by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). This year’s events kicked off on May 13th at Twitter Headquarters in San Francisco, CA. There are also scheduled events for this year’s festivities at Burns and McDonnell headquarters in Kansas City, MO; the Microsoft New England R&D Center in Boston, MA; and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C.

VAMBOA is a non-profit Veteran business trade association that promotes and assists Veteran Business Owners, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses (SDVOB) and Military Business Owners. VAMBOA recognizes the special skill-set and experience with leadership that these individuals bring to their businesses and to our local, state, national and global economies. With the right resources, Veteran Business Owners, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses (SDVOB) and Military Business Owners are highly qualified to build successful businesses.

VAMBOA is here to serve as a conduit to those Veteran business owners and the resources they need to thrive.

VAMBOA advises all Veteran business owners to take advantage of the events and discussions taking place this week as part of National Small Business Week. Business owners should also be made aware that the SBA will be conducting webinars and other live-streamed events. Interested individuals can register online at www.sba.gov/smallbusinessweek. For more information about National Small Business week visit the SBA’s website at www.sba.gov.

VAMBOA: National Small Business Week Commences: By Debbie Gregory