Small Business Grants for Veterans in 2025: Top Programs & How to Apply

If you served in the military, your discipline, leadership skills, and mission-driven mindset already give you a strong foundation for entrepreneurship. But turning that foundation into a funded business requires capital — and for many veteran entrepreneurs, small business grants for veterans offer the best path forward. Unlike loans, grants never need to be repaid, making them a powerful tool for launching or growing a business without taking on debt.

Veteran business grants are more accessible than most people realize. Federal agencies, private foundations, and state governments all run programs specifically designed to help military veterans start and scale businesses. The key is knowing where to look and how to position your application. This guide covers the top programs available in 2025, eligibility requirements, and practical tips to improve your chances of winning.

Why Veteran Entrepreneurs Should Prioritize Grants

Veterans bring unique strengths to business ownership, and the data reflects it. According to the SBA, veteran-owned businesses represent roughly 9% of all U.S. firms and generate more than $1.2 trillion in annual revenue. Despite those numbers, accessing startup and growth capital remains one of the biggest challenges veteran entrepreneurs face.

Grants address this challenge directly by providing:

• Non-dilutive funding — You keep full ownership of your business
• No repayment burden — Unlike loans, grants are free capital
• Credibility — Winning a grant signals legitimacy to customers, partners, and future investors
• Mentorship and support — Many grant programs include business coaching, networking, and resources beyond just funding

The tradeoff is competition. Grants are harder to win than loans are to qualify for. But for veterans, the pool of applicants is often smaller and the programs are well-funded, which means your odds are better than you might expect.

Top Small Business Grants for Veterans in 2025

1. Hivers and Strivers Angel Investment Grant

The Hivers and Strivers program is one of the most well-known funding sources for veteran entrepreneurs. It provides angel investment to early-stage companies founded by graduates of U.S. military service academies (West Point, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, Coast Guard Academy, and Merchant Marine Academy).

Key details:

• Amount: $250,000 – $1,000,000
• Requirements: Founder must be a U.S. military academy graduate; company should be early-stage with a scalable business model
• Difficulty: Medium-High — requires a strong pitch and growth potential
• Timeline: Rolling applications, decisions made within 2-3 months

Hivers and Strivers looks for companies with clear market opportunity and strong leadership. If you graduated from a service academy and have a business with growth potential, this should be near the top of your list. The program has invested in companies across industries including technology, healthcare, consumer products, and professional services.

2. SBIR and STTR Federal Grants

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs represent the single largest source of early-stage R&D funding in the United States. While not veteran-specific, these programs are exceptionally well-suited for veteran entrepreneurs in technology, engineering, defense, and scientific fields.

Key details:

• Amount: Phase I: $50,000 – $275,000 / Phase II: $500,000 – $2,000,000
• Requirements: For-profit U.S. small business, 500 or fewer employees, research project with commercial potential
• Difficulty: Hard — requires detailed technical proposal
• Timeline: 6-12 months from submission to award

Multiple federal agencies participate in SBIR, including the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, NASA, and NIH. For veterans with technical expertise or defense industry experience, DOD SBIR topics often align perfectly with military background. Some agencies also give priority consideration to veteran-owned businesses, so be sure to highlight your service in your application.

3. StreetShares Foundation Veteran Small Business Award

The StreetShares Foundation runs a quarterly award specifically for veteran business owners. This is a straightforward competition where veterans pitch their business and the community votes on winners.

Key details:

• Amount: $15,000 grand prize, plus additional runner-up awards
• Requirements: Business must be at least 50% owned by a veteran, active-duty service member, or military spouse
• Difficulty: Low-Medium — application is simple, but public voting is part of the process
• Timeline: Quarterly cycles

What makes the StreetShares award appealing is its accessibility. Unlike SBIR, you do not need a technology company or a detailed research proposal. The award is open to businesses of all types and sizes, from food trucks to consulting firms. Winners are selected based on a combination of community votes and judge evaluations.

4. Boots to Business (SBA)

Boots to Business is the SBA's flagship entrepreneurship training program for veterans. While it is technically an education program rather than a direct grant, it connects participants to SBA resources including microloans, veteran-specific mentorship, and in some cases, competitive grant funding through affiliated programs.

Key details:

• Amount: Free training; connects to funding opportunities ranging from $5,000 to $350,000
• Requirements: Veterans, active-duty service members (including National Guard and Reserve), and military spouses
• Difficulty: Low — enrollment is open and free
• Timeline: Ongoing, with cohorts starting regularly

Even if you are not ready to apply for grants today, enrolling in Boots to Business is a smart first step. The program gives you a structured business plan, connects you with SCORE mentors, and positions you for future funding applications. Many grant programs look favorably on applicants who have completed formal business training.

5. State-Level Veteran Business Grants

Beyond federal programs, many states run their own grant and incentive programs for veteran-owned businesses. These vary widely, but some of the most notable include:

• California: CalVet Veteran Business Assistance — provides consulting services and connects veteran entrepreneurs to state procurement opportunities
• Texas: Texas Veterans Commission Business Grants — small grants up to $10,000 for veteran-owned startups
• New York: Veterans Entrepreneurship Training Program — includes grant funding up to $25,000 for program graduates
• Florida: Patriot Employer Tax Credits — not a direct grant, but provides meaningful tax benefits for veteran business owners

Check your state's Department of Veterans Affairs website for current programs. State-level grants tend to be less competitive than federal ones, making them a strong option for newer businesses.

Eligibility Tips for Veteran Business Grants

Meeting basic eligibility is just the starting point. To be competitive, you need to present your application strategically.

Verify your veteran status documentation. Most programs require a DD-214 or equivalent discharge documentation. Have these ready before you start any application. For programs that require service-connected disability status or specific branch affiliation, gather those records early.

Register with SAM.gov. If you plan to apply for any federal grants (SBIR, STTR, or SBA-affiliated programs), you need an active registration in the System for Award Management. This process can take several weeks, so start it well before any application deadline.

Get your business certified. The SBA's Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) certifications can open doors to both grants and government contracts. The certification process requires documentation but significantly expands your opportunities.

Build a clear business plan. Every competitive grant application requires a well-articulated business plan. At minimum, be prepared to explain your target market, revenue model, competitive advantage, and how you plan to use the funding.

Start small and build. If you have never won a grant before, start with smaller, less competitive programs like the StreetShares award. Each win builds your track record and strengthens future applications.

How to Strengthen Your Application

Military business funding applications succeed when they clearly connect your service experience to your business capability. Grant reviewers want to see:

• Leadership experience — How your military service prepared you to lead a business
• Discipline and execution — Evidence that you can follow through on plans
• Market understanding — Proof that you know your industry and target customers
• Specific use of funds — A clear, detailed plan for how grant money will be spent
• Community impact — Many programs prioritize businesses that create jobs or serve underrepresented markets

Avoid generic language. Instead of writing "I am a hard-working veteran," explain specifically how your military role translates to your business. A former logistics officer running a supply chain company tells a much stronger story than vague references to discipline and teamwork.

Not Sure Which Programs You Qualify For?

Navigating military business funding options can be overwhelming, especially when every program has different requirements, timelines, and application processes. If you are unsure where to start, the fastest approach is to check your eligibility across multiple programs at once.

Use our free Loan & Grant Checker to see which veteran business grants and loan programs match your profile. Answer a few quick questions about your business, service history, and funding needs, and we will show you the programs you are most likely to qualify for — no sign-up required.