The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Announcement

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has officially announced its commemoration of the tenth consecutive National Veterans Small Business Week (NVSBW). This significant week-long event is scheduled for October 30 to November 3, 2023, encompassing both in-person and virtual activities designed to shine a spotlight on the nearly two million small businesses owned by veterans across the nation.

Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman stated, “This year marks the tenth anniversary of our celebration of National Veterans Small Business Week, yet veteran entrepreneurs in America have been contributing to our communities and the nation’s economy for decades. Supporting our veterans remains a central focus for the Biden-Harris Administration, and this week provides a crucial opportunity for the SBA to connect them with the resources we provide, assisting them in initiating and expanding their successful enterprises.”

Throughout this dedicated week, the SBA, along with its network of resource partners and local organizations spanning the country, will illuminate various aspects of the entrepreneurial journey for small business owners who are veterans or military spouses. Topics of emphasis include guidance on transitioning, entrepreneurial training, government contract procurement, disaster relief support, and access to financial resources. Details regarding events are being continually added to the event roster on sba.gov/nvsbw. For locally organized events by the San Antonio District Office, please refer to the SADO Website.

The SBA has a longstanding commitment to bolstering veterans and their families, and over the past year, it has worked diligently to enhance the environment for the veteran small business community. This effort includes the launch of the Veteran Small Business Certification program in January, aimed at helping veterans certify their businesses for participation in the federal marketplace. In June, the SBA embarked on the modernization of its loan program, an active measure aimed at augmenting capital opportunities for small businesses, particularly those owned by veterans. More recently, the SBA introduced the Military Spouse Pathway to Business, a novel business training initiative designed to provide further support to military spouses on their entrepreneurial path.

The NVSBW, initiated by the SBA’s Office of Veterans Business Development, first commenced in 2013.

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