One-on-one business consulting and specialized training and programs for veterans and their families in the Pikes Peak Region

Veterans Program

Since 2012, the Pikes Peak SBDC has provided one-on-one business consulting and specialized training and programs for veterans and their families in the Pikes Peak Region.

We are dedicated to helping veterans become successful. We have consultants specializing in sales, marketing, government contracting, certifications and financials, many of whom are also veterans, to meet with you one-on-one, at no cost, to help bring your business to the next level. Contact us and let us know you are a veteran to schedule an appointment with one of our specialized veteran consultants.

Thank you for serving our country. We’re here to serve you and your business venture.

THANK YOU TO OUR 2022 SUPPORTING SPONSOR

June

Data Driven Decisions for Your Business

Tuesday, June 28
11:30 am – 1 pm

TAP Center
7366 Mekong St.
Fort Carson, CO 80913

A wealth of data and digital insights is available at your fingertips. Building costs, labor statistics, buying behavior, generational differences and more are all points of data that can make it possible to make more informed decisions that will lead to business growth, evolution, and an increased bottom line. Join us to learn more about the power of data driven decision making and how it can help grow your business.

July

Government Contracting: The ABC's of Certification

Tuesday, July 19
11:30 am – 1 pm

TAP Center
7366 Mekong St.
Fort Carson, CO 80913

This program is designed to help companies understand the different types of State, Federal and Corporate Social and Economic small business Certifications and how they are used along with the political aspects of them.

August

Business Plan in an Hour

Tuesday, August 18
11:30 am – 1 pm

TAP Center
7366 Mekong St.
Fort Carson, CO 80913

During this workshop, we will begin the task of putting together a very basic strategic plan that will act as a roadmap to building your business plan. Join us to begin the process of strategically mapping your business through a simplified business plan that you can then continue to build upon. This workshop is for both startups and existing businesses!

September

Social Media and Marketing Your Business

Tuesday, September 21
11:30 am – 1 pm

TAP Center
7366 Mekong St.
Fort Carson, CO 80913

Social Media is dynamic with perpetually increasing channels and tools. One the one hand, it’s contributing to more informed, engaged, and loyal customers. On the other, the sheer number of messages is overwhelming, leaving many social media marketing efforts lost in the noise. Social media is a must for many businesses, but what is the best use for your business? How are your customers using it? How can you connect with them and become their trusted resource for the products and services you provide? How can you enlist them to voluntarily share your business with their own networks?

 

SBDC Resources

Boots to Business

Boots to Business is an entrepreneurial education and training program offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as part of the Department of Defense’s Transition Assistance Program (TAP). The curriculum continuum includes steps for evaluating business concepts, the foundational knowledge required to develop a business plan and information on SBA resources available to help access start-up capital and additional technical assistance.

Please visit www.boots2business.org for more information. For class schedule inquiries, please call 315-443-0224.

NOTE: With valid ID, a veteran may attend any of the upcoming classes at any of the locations.

Grants & Funding

Federal

  • Federal grants have to be posted on grants.gov. However, most agencies do not have a granting authority from Congress to provide grants to individuals or for-profit entities. Most are SBIR/STTR awards. A few are not, but they are not structured to just give the grant money to veteran-owned small businesses.
  • In addition to grants, the government also has the ability to take funds and arrange challenge competitions where individuals and organizations can compete for an award, and if chosen as the winner, it works like a grant. Currently, many of the branches of the military have Challenges up, therefore likely veterans may have more institutional knowledge on how to solve the problem.
  • The Veteran Affairs’ Veteran Entrepreneurial portal serves as a good starting place for most veterans on different opportunities.

Private

  • The Colorado Enterprise Fund (CEF) has a new loan program created to support U.S. military veterans and Gold Star Families (surviving spouses and children of veterans) in Colorado. VALOR will provide discounted loan rates and extended terms for military veterans who are unable to secure financing through traditional banks. The VALOR loan program offers loan amounts up to $500,000 for working capital, equipment, inventory, property improvements, business purchases and commercial real estate. The program offers a loan rate that is discounted 2% from standard CEF rates with loan terms of up to ten years and interest-only periods of up to six months.
  • The Street Shares Foundation has been offering small grants to Veterans.
  • Patriot Boot Camp does entrepreneurial development workshops with funding opportunities based on pitch competitions.

State & Local Resources

Colorado Business Resource Book

The Colorado Business Resource Book is one of the most successful and comprehensive business start-up guides in the nation.

Colorado Lending Source (CLS)

Colorado Lending Source is a private, nonprofit, economic development organization with a mission to foster the economic growth of diverse small businesses within our communities.

Colorado SBA Small Business Resource Guide

Overview of SBA Resources for small business

Colorado VA Hospital Project Links

This link provides information and resources about the new Veterans Administration Medical Center. Project progress, identifying subcontracting opportunities, and counseling and training opportunities for Colorado Veteran-owned companies can found by following the link.

El Paso County Veterans Services

The El Paso County Veteran's Services is responsible for assisting residents of the State of Colorado who served honorably in the United States Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy, Marine Corps or any other armed service of the nation. The primary purpose of the office is to provide personalized local service to veterans and other claimants, and to assist them in cutting through the maze of red tape frequently involved in direct dealings with government agencies. For Veterans ID Cards, Call Carl McDaniel, Manager at (719) 520-7754. Make an appointment!

Military Officers Association of American (MOAA) - Pikes Peak Chapter

Professional association for military officers and their families at every stage of life and career

Military Spouse Career Coalition

The vision of the MSCC is that Colorado Springs will be a model community within the State of Colorado and indeed, within the nation itself, where employers actively recruit, hire and promote career-minded military spouses for competitive and gainful career opportunities with a genuine understanding and appreciation of the dynamics of the military lifestyle. Complimentary to that vision, the mission of the coalition itself is to empower all military spouses in pursuit of meaningful careers and/or livable wages and diminish legislative barriers along the way. We are a non-profit and our events are FREE for attendees and employers alike.

Operation Boots to Business

A three-phase training program developed to introduce and train transitioning service members to business ownership, Boots to Business begins during the service member’s transition from the service (TAP or TAMP) and can continue if the service member decides to self-select into Phase II and III.

Pikes Peak Library District

Business research databases

Pikes Peak Workforce Center

Employment specialists assist eligible Veterans in maximizing their employment opportunities through career assessment, vocational guidance, and job development. In addition, they provide transition assistance including workshops, coaching, and valuable information -- all while helping to protect Veteran employment rights and to meet labor market demands.

PTAC (Procurement Technical Assistance Center)

Colorado PTAC assists Colorado businesses do business with Federal, State and Local Governments.

Veterans Incubator of Colorado

We are a nonprofit integrated business accelerator that provides veterans with support to start and sustain a business.

VetFriends

The VetFriends.com Veterans Business Directory is honored to serve and help promote Veteran owned or operated companies in Colorado, and nationwide. Additionally, the Veterans Business Directory welcomes all companies who honor and support U.S. Veterans & Military to sign up today.

VetNet Colorado Springs

To join together military veteran business owners and entrepreneurs around Colorado Springs, while providing opportunities for personal and business growth through education, networking, and leadership opportunities within the community.

National & Federal Resources

Accion

Accion's goal is to increase access to business credit, make loans, and provide training to help emerging and existing entrepreneurs realize their dreams.

American Corporate Partners

Offers a nationwide mentoring program dedicated to helping veterans transition from the armed services to private enterprise through career counseling and networking

Business.gov

Business.gov is the US Government's official website for small businesses. Business.gov provides small business owners with information and resources they need to comply with laws and regulations, and to take advantage of government programs and services to help them start, expand, and run their businesses. Business.gov is the only government service to provide access to Federal, state, and local government from a single website. Small business owners no longer need to visit multiple websites to find forms, contact info, guidance with laws and regulations, and help applying for government assistance programs.

BUZGate.org

BUZGate.org provides an easy-to-use robust gateway to business mentors, information, goods, and services tailored to supporting small business start-up, growth, and profitability. BUZGate.org provides a reliable, trusted network where users can build knowledge and establish productive business-to-business relationships. Website content focuses on educating individuals about thousands of free and low-cost public assistance programs and productivity-enhancing business solutions that exist to support their entrepreneurial progress.

ChangeCorp: for Veteran Entrepreneurs

Assists veteran small business owners in the operation of their business. Also serves as a startup resource for those veterans looking to begin their own small business venture. The information contributed by the online community of veteran small business owner’s allows for the constant rating and revision of those small business resources as offered on the website.

Federal Business Opportunities

Federally administered website which provides a search engine allowing for veteran, small business owners to search for federal contracting opportunities.

Integrated Acquisition Environment (IAE): Business Development

IAE's federal website allows for easier access to government contract opportunities for American businesses.

National Economic Opportunity Fund (NEOF)

Supports financial products and resources for small businesses in low-income areas. Particular respect is paid to those service disabled veterans who seek to develop a business with the aim of improving the status of his/her local community. Expanded business opportunities have become available through the NEOF for veteran small business owners owing to a recent agreement between NEOF and the Veterans Corporation.

National Resource Directory (NRD)

Gives access to services and resources at the national, state and local levels to support recovery, rehabilitation and community reintegration for service members, veterans, wounded warriors and their families and caregivers by supplying helpful links to veteran-specific resources concerning benefits and compensation, education and training, employment, family and caregiver support, health, homeless assistance, housing, transportation and travel.

The Abilities Fund

The Abilities Fund is the first nationwide nonprofit community developer and financial institution focused exclusively on expanding entrepreneurial opportunities, including access to capital, for people with disabilities.

The Veterans Corporation

The National Veterans Business Development Corporation (also known as The Veterans Corporation and "TVC") was established by Congress under Public Law 106-50 to expand the provision of and improve access to technical assistance regarding entrepreneurship for veterans. TVC works with and organizes public and private resources and the business development staff of each Federal department and assists veterans and service-disabled veterans with start-up and expansion of small businesses.

U.S. Department of Defense: Office of Small Business Programs

Advises the Secretary of Defense on all matters related to small business and is committed to maximizing the contributions of small business in DoD acquisitions through various small business services and programs including service-disabled veteran-owned small business programs to improve access to prime and subcontracting opportunities.

U.S. Department of Navy: Office of Small Business Programs

Offers service disabled veteran-owned small businesses, historically underutilized business zone (HUBZone) small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses and women-owned small businesses the opportunity to participate in the Department of Navy’s acquisition program both as prime contractors and subcontractors with services

U.S. Department of the Air Force: Small Business

Provides Air Force contract opportunities to small businesses, with preference given to minority and veteran owned small business owners

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Center for Veterans Enterprise

Provides free professional development and business resources, minimizes access barriers and promotes the benefits of working with veteran-owned businesses to the public

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization

OSDBU seeks to enable Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs) Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSBs), Small Disadvantaged Businesses, HUBZone Businesses, and Woman-Owned Small Businesses to add value to the work of VA.

U.S. General Services Administration: Office of Small Business Utilization

Advocates for small, disadvantaged, veteran, service disabled veteran-owned, HUBZone and women business owners for increased access to GSA’s nationwide procurement opportunities

U.S. Small Business Administration: Office of Veterans Business Development (SBA)

Serves as a liaison with the veterans business community; performs policy analysis and reporting; acts as an Ombudsman for veterans in SBA programs; provides business training, counseling, and assistance; and oversees the Federal procurement programs for veteran and service disabled veteran-owned small businesses with services

United States Coast Guard: Acquisition Directorate

Provides practicable opportunities in contract acquisitions to small business, veteran-owned small business, service disabled veteran-owned small business, HUBZone small business, small disadvantaged business and women owned small business concerns with services

US Department of Defense, Office of Small Business Programs

We advise the Secretary of Defense on all matters related to small business and are committed to maximizing the contributions of small business in DoD acquisitions. We provide leadership and governance to the Military Departments and Defense Agencies to meet the needs of the nations' Warfighters, creating opportunities for small businesses while ensuring each tax dollar is spent responsibly.

Vet Fran

IFA’s VetFran strategic initiative, founded in 1991, includes over 580 IFA member companies offering financial incentives, training and mentoring to veterans interested in small business ownership and/or a career path in franchising.

VeteranOwnedBusiness.com: Colorado Directory

A free registry for all Colorado veteran-owned and voluntarily registered businesses that assists in marketing veteran-owned small businesses to a larger market within Colorado.

Veterans Enterprise

We are dedicated to the employment, education, and advancement of America's proud servicemen and women. We aim to spread awareness of issues and opportunities concerning veterans through news and by connecting them with employers who recruit highly trained and motivated transitioning soldiers. The careers and organizations listed here are dedicated to these ends.

VetStarter

Vetstarter is a 501c3 non-profit crowdfunding platform for combat disabled veteran business startups.

Where in Federal Contracting?

Wifcon.com serves the federal acquisition community by providing quick access to acquisition information such as contracting laws and pending legislation, current and proposed regulations, guidance, courts and boards of contact appeals, bid protest decisions, contracting newsletters, and selected analysis of federal acquisitions issues.

Wounded Warrior Project

Dedicated to raise awareness and enlist the public’s aid for the needs of severely injured service men and women, to help severely injured service members aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet the needs of severely injured service members with services

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