VBOCs are SBA-funded resource centers that provide free entrepreneurship training, mentoring, and business development services exclusively to veteran-owned and transitioning service member small businesses — part of the SBA's Office of Veterans Business Development (OVBD).
Veterans Business Outreach Centers (sba.gov/offices/headquarters/ovbd) are operated under the SBA's Boots to Business and OVBD programs. There are 22 VBOCs nationwide, each serving a multi-state regional area. They are distinct from SBDCs and SCORE: VBOCs specialize exclusively in veteran entrepreneurship, understand military-specific transition challenges, and have direct relationships with VA-connected lenders, veteran set-aside contracting programs, and veteran-focused investors. Eligibility: VBOCs serve U.S. military veterans, active-duty service members (including National Guard and Reserve) preparing for transition via the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), military spouses, and dependents. No cost for core services. Services offered: pre-venture feasibility analysis, business plan preparation, financial projection development, procurement and government contracting assistance (particularly critical for veteran-owned small businesses eligible for SDVOSB set-asides under 38 U.S.C. § 8127), referrals to veteran-friendly SBA lenders, and connections to the SBA's Veteran Advantage program (which provides a fee waiver on SBA 7(a) loans up to $350,000 for qualifying veteran-owned businesses — sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/sba-loan-programs/sba-veterans-advantage). Boots to Business (B2B): a specific VBOC-linked entrepreneurship curriculum delivered at military installations as part of the TAP program. Available to transitioning service members as a 2-day in-person program on base, or as an 8-week online follow-on course. Graduates receive a certification and priority access to VBOC follow-on counseling.
U.S. military veterans (any era, any branch), active-duty service members within 24 months of separation, National Guard and Reserve members, military spouses, and qualifying dependents. You do not need to have a business yet — VBOCs serve aspiring entrepreneurs from the 'should I start a business?' stage through growth and exit.
SBA Veteran Advantage waives the upfront SBA guaranty fee on 7(a) loans up to $350,000 for qualifying veteran-owned small businesses (veteran, active-duty, Reservist, National Guard member, or a spouse/widow of any of those). This saves $0–$4,375 in upfront costs depending on loan size. Apply through any SBA-approved lender and mention Veteran Advantage; the VBOC can help confirm eligibility (sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/sba-loan-programs/sba-veterans-advantage).
Find your regional VBOC at sba.gov/local-assistance/find/?type=Veterans%20Business%20Outreach%20Center or by calling the SBA's Answer Desk at 1-800-827-5722. Each VBOC covers a multi-state region; services are available virtually nationwide regardless of geographic boundaries.