The SBA gave $3.75 million for free, in-person training that helps veteran-owned small businesses compete for federal contracts. Here is who can join.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is paying for free training to help veteran-owned businesses win federal work. It gave a $3.75 million grant to a Montgomery County group to run the program. The first year of funding starts September 1, 2026.
The money goes to the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce Community Foundation Veterans Institute for Procurement. It will run the Veteran Federal Procurement Entrepreneurship Training Program. Procurement is the government's word for buying goods and services from businesses. The first year gets $750,000.
The program plans five cohorts a year. A cohort is a group that goes through the training together. About 250 veteran-owned small businesses a year can join. The training is in person, available nationwide, and costs nothing. Participants learn how to find federal contracting opportunities and how to build the documents that go with them:
Certified veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses are eligible. So are transitioning service members who are exploring starting a business. The SBA points to high-demand fields such as manufacturing and defense. SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler said the program will give these businesses the practical training and mentorship to compete for and win federal work.
The SBA also says it recently cleared a backlog of 2,700 applications for VetCert. That program gives federal contracting advantages to verified veteran-owned businesses.
Training is not a contract. Federal buying is competitive, and not every participant will win work right away. Some veterans may need extra help with the process. Strong business operations and compliance with federal rules will also matter.
Coverage of the announcement does not say how to sign up or where the sessions will be held. The SBA points to sba.gov/veterans for more information.
Veteran business owners can get free federal contracting training, but it only builds skills and does not promise a contract.
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