SBA kicks off National Veterans Small Business by announcing new public-private partnership

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) on Monday kicked-off National Veterans Small Business Week by launching a new private-public partnership with The Marcus Foundation, First Data Corporation and Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) that will support the federal agency’s “Boots to Business: Reboot” entrepreneurship training program.

This partnership will allow the SBA to present more than 100 entrepreneurial training workshops over the next year to veterans of all eras, service members and their spouses.

“Military veterans represent a vast pool of talent and tested skills that makes them natural business leaders,” said SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet. “This private-public partnership will make it possible for more veterans to gain the tools necessary to start their own successful businesses and create good jobs in their communities.”

The Boots to Business: Reboot curriculum will introduce veterans to the fundamentals of business ownership including evaluating business concepts and developing a business plan. Course participants will be introduced to their local SBA resource partners, consisting of Veterans Business Outreach Centers, Women’s Business Centers, Small Business Development Centers and SCORE.

On completion of the introductory course, participants will be eligible to register for “Foundations of Entrepreneurship,” an eight-week, online course led by instructors from Syracuse University’s IVMF that offers in-depth instruction on the elements of a business plan and techniques and tips for starting a business.

To learn more about the Boots to Business: Reboot entrepreneurship training program, visit www.sba.gov/bootstobusinessreboot or contact the SBA district office in your local community.