Federal funding supports expanded industry-specific training as NVSBC prepares a new class of 55 Veteran entrepreneurs for growth in government contracting.

The National Veteran Small Business Coalition (NVSBC) is building on the success of its Fellowship Program with a $250,000 grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), supporting expanded training opportunities for Veteran-owned small businesses pursuing federal contracting opportunities.

Announced October 14, 2026, the award is part of $1.05 million in SBA grants to five organizations developing entrepreneurial training programs focused on industries important to America’s supply chains, industrial strength, and economic resilience. NVSBC received funding for its Procurement Training for Specialized Industries initiative, which builds upon the Fellowship Program’s established approach to business development, procurement readiness, and industry engagement.

The investment comes as NVSBC welcomes its new 2026–27 Fellowship class of 55 Veteran business owners, representing five industry-focused cohorts. The nine-month program combines expert-led instruction, practical business development, mentorship, technical training, and relationship-building opportunities to help participants strengthen their companies and compete more effectively in the federal marketplace.

Developing More Competitive Federal Contractors

The NVSBC Fellowship Program was created to address a fundamental challenge facing many Veteran entrepreneurs:  business owners often possess the technical expertise and experience to deliver products or services but quickly discover the federal marketplace to be a unique business environment for which they are not always equipped.

The NVSBC Fellowship Program provides a critical bridge of training that prepares its participants with the knowledge and strategies they will need to pursue, win, and manage contracts in the federal sector. The program focuses on business readiness, procurement readiness, and industry readiness, helping participants evaluate opportunities, strengthen operations, develop competitive strategies, and build relationships with potential customers and teaming partners.

NVSBC Program Manager, Marie Myszkier noted that, “The success of our Fellowship Program is measured by the progress of the Veteran entrepreneurs who participate. SBA’s support allows us to build on that success, expand specialized training, and help more Veteran-owned businesses develop the capabilities and relationships needed to compete in the federal marketplace.”

The Fellowship Program has already served nearly 100 Veteran-owned businesses since its debut Cohort in 2024, providing specialized training and professional development opportunities designed to support sustainable business growth.

Its impact is reflected in the experiences of recent graduates, who describe benefits extending well beyond the classroom.  A recent Fellowship graduate credited the program with having a “dramatic impact in the trajectory of my business.” He described becoming a more knowledgeable business owner, broadening his vision for the company’s future, and developing lasting relationships with fellow entrepreneurs.

Another participant similarly highlighted the value of learning directly from experienced government contracting professionals and developing a more strategic approach to identifying opportunities and engaging prospective federal customers.

Together, these experiences demonstrate how the Fellowship Program helps Veteran entrepreneurs translate training into practical business decisions, stronger professional networks, and new opportunities for growth.

SBA Support Expands Industry-Specific Opportunities

The SBA grant will help NVSBC further strengthen its training model by providing specialized instruction aligned with the requirements and opportunities of particular industries.

While foundational business and procurement skills remain essential, Veteran-owned businesses also benefit from understanding the acquisition practices, competitive dynamics, customer requirements, and business relationships unique to their respective industries.

The 2026–27 Fellowship class reflects this broader perspective. Participants began their training in September with four months of foundational federal government contracting instruction and will then transition into industry-specific coursework beginning in January 2027.

SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler emphasized the importance of this type of investment in announcing the grant awards:

“By pairing specialized training with practical business support, our grant funding will position Veteran entrepreneurs to become essential suppliers across industry and agriculture.”

The grant-supported initiative operates through April 30, 2027, reinforcing NVSBC’s commitment to preparing Veteran entrepreneurs to compete in strategically important industries.

Training to Transform Government Contracting

For NVSBC, the SBA’s investment represents more than additional program funding. It reinforces the importance of preparing Veteran-owned small businesses to become capable, competitive, and reliable suppliers to federal agencies and industry partners.

The expanded curriculum will also introduce Fellows to the pilot launch of NVSBC’s Small Business Certification Program™, providing another opportunity to strengthen their knowledge and practical business capabilities.

By combining foundational business education, specialized industry training, mentorship, and meaningful professional connections, the Fellowship Program is helping Veteran entrepreneurs build stronger businesses while contributing to a more capable and resilient federal supplier base.

NVSBC appreciates the support of SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler and the SBA Office of Veterans Business Development in advancing opportunities for Veteran-owned small businesses.

 

 

>> Learn More About the NVSBC Fellowship Program <<