FEATURED VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESSES

🎖️Why Buying Veteran-Owned Should Be a National Priority | IVMF🎖️A Profile of the Nation’s Veteran-Owned Businesses - 2024 | U.S. Census Bureau

• DISABLED-OWNED
• LGBT-OWNED
• WOMAN-OWNED
• ASIAN-OWNED
• BLACK-OWNED
• LATIN-OWNED
• NATIVE-OWNED

Minority Veteran's Business Enterprises are companies at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by U.S. military veterans who are also members of a recognized minority group. These businesses can gain certifications—such as VetCert (SBA) or MBE/VBE—to access specialized government contracting, set-aside opportunities, and corporate supplier diversity programs.🎖️Basic Information About WBE/MBE/VBE Certification

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DISABLED-OWNED

Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Business (SDVOSB)

Disabled-Owned Businesses, often certified as Disability-Owned Business Enterprises (DOBEs)

Definition & Certification: A service-disabled veteran is a veteran with a service-connected disability of at least 10% or more as declared by the VA or Department of Defense. Certification is handled by the Small Business Administration (SBA), which took over from the VA in 2023.Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) must be at least 51% unconditionally owned and controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans, with day-to-day management and strategic policy directed by them. These businesses qualify for federal set-aside contracts, aiming for at least 5% of all federal contracting dollars annually.

🎖️Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Perceptions of Subcontracting Training Within the Department of Defense | Thomas Wayne Krusemark / Walden University

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LGBT-OWNED

LGBTQ-owned veteran businesses represent a powerful intersection of entrepreneurship,, contributing significantly to the U.S. economy while often overcoming unique financing challenges. Research indicates there are roughly 1.4 million LGBTQ-run businesses in the U.S.Diverse Business Focus:Veteran-owned and LGBTQ-owned businesses are often grouped together in corporate and governmental supplier diversity initiatives, such as the Billion Dollar Roundtable, which recently expanded its criteria to include both.Support Organizations:Organizations like the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) and NaVOBA (National Veteran-Owned Business Association) work together to support veteran and LGBTQ founders, providing access to networking, mentorship, and contracting opportunities.Examples of Success:Organizations like NaVOBA highlight success stories such as Robert Swain, CEO of Swain Enterprises, who was named the 2024 Minority Veteran's Business Enterprise of the Year, highlighting the success of veterans in specialized fields like federal project restoration

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WOMAN-OWNED

As a rapidly expanding and high-impact economic power, women-owned veteran businesses are leading the way in entrepreneurship. Female veterans are launching new ventures at nearly twice the rate of the general veteran population, showcasing a remarkable drive for business ownership.Currently, these "vetrepreneurs" account for approximately 15% of all veteran-owned firms in the United States. With hundreds of thousands of businesses in operation, they serve as a cornerstone of national innovation and a major driver of employment across the country.Support & Resources:The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has specific goals to award contracts to women-owned small businesses. Programs like the Women Veterans Business Coalition and the Women Veterans Interactive provide support and advocacy.

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ASIAN-OWNED

Asian-American veterans are increasingly making their mark on the U.S. economy, currently representing a 2.1% share of the veteran-owned business sector.These business owners operate alongside more than 2.5 million Asian-owned firms that serve as major economic drivers. They are particularly successful in specialized fields, including technical services and the hospitality industry, where they continue to see significant growth.Looking at the big picture, veteran entrepreneurs lead approximately 5.9% of all U.S. companies. Their impact is staggering, with a combined workforce of over 3 million employees and nearly $1 trillion in annual receipts.

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BLACK-OWNED

Black or African American veterans owned approximately 5.1% (15,417) of all U.S. veteran-owned firms, as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau in 2024. These businesses are predominantly located in urban areas, with a significant presence in professional, scientific, and technical services. They are noted for bringing military discipline and resilience to entrepreneurship, with Black women veterans representing a rapidly growing segment.

🎖️Black & African American
Veteran Entrepreneurs - InfoGraphic | 2021, IVMF at Syracuse University🎖️How Black Women Veterans Are Redefining Entrepreneurship | Forbes🎖️Black Veteran Employment Barriers and
Interventions - 2023 | U.S. Department of Labor🎖️How many Black-owned businesses are there in the US?- 2024 | USAFActs🎖️The Importance of Black Owned Business | University of Connecticut

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LATIN-OWNED

Latino veteran-owned employer firms represent a vital and expanding segment of the economy, accounting for approximately 4.1% (over 16,500) of all Latino-owned businesses. This group remains one of the fastest-growing entrepreneurial demographics in the United States, consistently outpacing growth averages in both the veteran and minority business sectors.These enterprises are primary drivers in high-demand, labor-intensive industries such as construction, professional services, and logistics. Their operational footprint has expanded significantly over the last several years, maintaining a high trajectory for both revenue generation and market penetration.The economic impact of these "vetrepreneurs" is substantial; building on 2018 figures that saw them employing over 144,000 individuals, current estimates show an even broader workforce. By combining military discipline with cultural entrepreneurial drive, these businesses continue to serve as a cornerstone for national employment and community stability.

🎖️ A Profile of the Nation’s Hispanic-Owned Businesses - 2024 | U.S. Census Bureau

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NATIVE-OWNED

Native American veteran-owned businesses stand as a formidable economic pillar, anchored by a broader network of over 400,000 Indigenous-owned firms that provide jobs for nearly 300,000 workers nationwide. These enterprises play a dual role, successfully navigating the complexities of federal contracting while maintaining a deep-rooted commitment to community-driven initiatives.By reinvesting in tribal, veteran, and youth programs, these "vetrepreneurs" transform commercial success into social stability. Despite navigating a legacy of historical barriers to capital and market access, Native-owned veteran firms continue to thrive, serving as a vital bridge between high-level government procurement and local economic empowerment.Native veteran entrepreneurs are increasingly utilizing federal contracting vehicles, such as the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) designation, to compete in the federal marketplace, often with a focus on mentoring others and community development.

🎖️ Why Native Small Businesses Matter and How to Grow Them: Effective Approaches (Jan 30 2024) | YouTube🎖️ Native American-Owned Businesses | SBA