The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced that non-profits and businesses in the private sector can now apply for funding of up to $300,000 to provide women veterans with entrepreneurship training. The window for applications will stay open until March 21, 2024.
The SBA’s Office of Veterans Business Development is providing $300,000 to up to six grantees so they can take part in the Women Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Program. The base project period will include three 12-month options. These grants aim to educate female veterans who are involved in or plan to pursue owning their own businesses.
According to Timothy Green, acting associate administrator for the SBA’s Office of Veterans Business Development, “There is an incredible need for more advocates and resources tailored to women veteran entrepreneurs, with over two million women veterans living in the U.S. today and over 12 million businesses owned by women. We offer grants through our Program to support and empower women veterans as they move forward with their businesses, whether opening for business or finding new avenues to expand on what they’ve already established.”
In Fiscal Year 2023, nearly 9,500 participants collaborated with Women Veteran Training Program grantees to launch or grow their businesses.
For example, Kristen Wright, a military spouse in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and owner of Kristen Wright Strategic Communications LLC, sought help from ONABEN after finding the federal contract application process daunting. Through the “Beyond the Boots” program and an SBA speaker session, she gained insights into federal contracting, enabling her woman-owned business to grow and engage in the federal marketplace.
The Women Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Program funding opportunity must be applied for by eligible organizations by grants.gov by March 21, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Applications received after the deadline or not through grants.gov will not be reviewed.
