Veteran business owners in the Chicago area have access to a robust network of free resources for business growth, funding, training, and support. Below are some key programs, organizations, and opportunities that every veteran entrepreneur should be aware of.
1. Business Counseling & Education
- Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC): Provides veterans with one-on-one business advising, help with business plans, marketing, financial planning, and access to funding programs.
- Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC@WWBIC): Specialized SBA-sponsored center offering free coaching, Boots to Business training, business plan development, and certification support for veterans and military spouses.
- Veteran Business Project: Connects veterans and military spouses with no-cost mentorship and business ownership opportunities, including buying existing businesses. Each participant is matched with an experienced business mentor.
2. Free Equipment, Furniture, and Surplus
- Surplus Equipment and Inventory: Qualified Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSB/SDVOSB) can receive federal surplus equipment such as vehicles, computers, office furniture, and tools at little to no cost, thanks to the Veterans Small Business Enhancement Act.
- Access is coordinated through the Illinois CMS Surplus Property division and requires SBA certification and state registration.
3. Free Entrepreneur Courses & Start-Up Training
- Warrior Rising: Offers free, virtual business accelerator programs, training, and grant competitions for all veterans and immediate family members. The program includes mentorship and the chance to compete for business funding.
- Certification Assistance: The Veteran Business Project partners with the City of Chicago to guide veterans for free through VBE (Veteran Business Enterprise) certification; this opens doors to public contracts and city programs.
4. Training, Mentorship, and Networking
- Monthly Networking Events: Local resources, such as CVBO and the Veteran Business Project, organize ongoing meetups, workshops, and networking sessions—offering connections crucial for business opportunities and support.
- Mayor’s Office of Veteran Affairs (MOVA) – City of Chicago: Hosts free resource fairs and connects veterans to over 30 organizations, providing information on business, education, and benefits.
- Peer Support and Best-Practice Sharing: Community-driven groups share insights on business planning, certification, and growth in in-person and virtual formats.
5. Support for Certification & Government Contracting
- Illinois Commission on Equity and Inclusion (CEI): Manages the Veterans Business Program (VBP) to help service-disabled and veteran-owned businesses access state contracts and support with the competitive procurement process—no fee for application.
- City of Chicago Veteran Business Enterprise (VBE): VBE certification is available for a small fee (waived for qualifying disabled veterans) and helps access city contracts.
- Assistance Agencies: Organizations such as Veteran Business Project, SBDC, and APEX Accelerator provide hands-on support throughout the application and renewal process for certification at the federal, state, and city levels.
Table: Snapshot of Free Veteran Business Resources
| Resource Name | Type of Help | How to Access | Cost |
| SBDC Illinois | Business counseling, workshops | Local offices/website | Free |
| VBOC@WWBIC | Veteran-specific training, coaching | Web intake/phone | Free |
| Veteran Business Project | Ownership matchmaking, mentorship | Website registration/contact | Free |
| Cook County Grow Grant | Business grants, application advising | Website/virtual sessions | Free |
| Warrior Rising | Accelerators, mentoring, funding | Online application | Free |
| Federal Surplus Property | Equipment, office furniture | CMS Surplus program, SBA cert | Free* |
| CEI Veterans Business Program | State contracting, certification | CEI website/phone | Free |
*Shipping and minimal handling fees may apply for surplus equipment.
Additional National and Local Resources
- Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs (MOVA): Business development, certification info, and referral to local and city programs, including resource fairs.
- Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA): Free workshops, seminars, and info sessions on business and entrepreneurship.
- Second Service Foundation / Hiring Our Heroes: National organizations running pitch competitions and grant programs specific to veteran business owners.
- D’Aniello Institute for Veterans & Military Families (IVMF): IVMF is higher education’s first interdisciplinary academic institute, focused on advancing the lives of the nation’s military veterans and their families.
How to Get Started
- Contact your local SBDC or VBOC for personalized business counseling.
- Register with CVBO and Veteran Business Project to access peer mentorship and networking.
- If certified (VOSB/SDVOSB), apply to the Illinois CMS Surplus Property program for free equipment.
- Review grant and accelerator programs such as Cook County Grow Grant and Warrior Rising.
- Schedule time with a certification advisor (through SBDC, APEX Accelerator, or Veteran Business Project) to get help with all paperwork and applications.
For any veteran-owned business in the Chicago area, these free resources offer a strong foundation for growth, resilience, and success.
Empowering veterans. Elevating business. Building community—together.
