Vet & New Business Owner Communities
The best communities for veterans (military veterans) who are new or aspiring business owners emphasize peer support, mentorship, funding access, government contracting help, networking, and resources tailored to veteran entrepreneurs. These stand out in 2026 for their active programs, scale, and focus on transitioning service members into successful small business ownership amid economic recovery and veteran-specific incentives.Many are national (U.S.-focused), with strong emphasis on non-profits, accelerators, and peer networks. Local Meetup groups or state-specific programs (e.g., Texas Veterans Commission) can supplement.
Top Recommended Communities & Programs
- Bunker Labs (now often under IVMF or similar integrations)
A nationwide veteran-focused startup community offering free business education, mentorship, accelerators, co-working spaces in many cities, and strong peer networking. Highly regarded for hands-on support for early-stage and scaling veteran founders. - Syracuse University IVMF (Institute for Veterans and Military Families) Programs
- Military Founders Lab — 10-week virtual program with tracks (e.g., women founders, Black founders, seed-stage) for tools, mentorship, and peer connections.
- Veteran EDGE — Premier in-person growth conference (e.g., Dallas events) for scaling veteran/military spouse businesses with workshops, networking, and corporate partners.
- Vet100 List — Annual recognition of fastest-growing veteran-owned businesses, great for inspiration and visibility.
- PenFed Foundation Veteran Entrepreneur Program (VEP)
Supports veteran and military spouse founders with incubator/accelerator tracks, cohorts, education, networking, and resources. Expanded in 2026 for more impact; includes marketplace access and city-specific insights (e.g., top entrepreneur locations like D.C., Raleigh). - National Veteran-Owned Business Association (NaVOBA)
Connects certified veteran-owned businesses (VBE/SDVBE) to corporate opportunities, training (e.g., VIP Corporate), events, and matchmaking. Excellent for private-sector growth beyond government contracts. - Veterans In Business Network (VIB Network)
Offers cohorts (e.g., Veteran 2 Veteran program), conferences (e.g., annual Veteran Business Conference), and business development resources for established and growing veteran-owned businesses. - Veteran Business Project
Focuses on getting veterans/military spouses into business ownership, including matching buyers/sellers and promoting opportunities. - Other Strong Options
- Veteran Entrepreneur Alliance (VEA) — Regional (e.g., Idaho-focused) but praised for free tactical tools, AI on-boarding, and no-nonsense community support.
- Meetup Groups — Search "Veterans in Business," "Veteran Owned Businesses," or "Veteran Entrepreneurship" for local networking (thousands of members across groups).
- Reddit Communities — r/Veterans, r/smallbusiness (veteran threads), r/MilVetBizs for casual advice, stories, and connections from veteran owners.
Quick Comparison Table
| Community/Program | Type | Best For | Key Benefits | Access/Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bunker Labs / IVMF | Startup network + programs | Early-stage & scaling | Mentorship, accelerators, events, peers | Mostly free |
| PenFed VEP | Accelerator/incubator | Veteran/spouse founders | Cohorts, education, networking, expansion | Program-based/free |
| NaVOBA | Certification + corporate network | Corporate contracting & growth | Training, events, matchmaking | Membership |
| VIB Network | Business development | Established/growing owners | Cohorts, conferences, resources | Membership/events |
| Veteran EDGE (IVMF) | Conference | Scaling & strategy | In-person networking, workshops | Registration fee |
| Veteran Business Project | Ownership promotion | New entrants & transitions | Matching, resources | Free |
| Meetup / Reddit | Informal groups | Local/quick advice | Peer discussions, local events | Free |
Tips for 2026:
- Start with IVMF programs or PenFed VEP if you're new/aspiring—they provide structured paths and veteran-specific tools (e.g., certification for contracts via SAM.gov/DUNs).
- Get certified (VBE/SDVBE) through NaVOBA or NVBDC for corporate/government advantages.
- Attend events like Veteran EDGE or local accelerators for connections.
- Leverage free resources from SBA Veteran Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs) alongside these communities.
- Many emphasize discipline from military experience translating to entrepreneurship—focus on ones offering peer accountability.