Scaling Your Vision: 20 Grants, Loans, and Contracts for Veteran Entrepreneurs

Jul 15
3 min read

Turning your business plan into action takes capital, and fortunately, there are numerous avenues tailored specifically for veteran entrepreneurs. Whether you are launching a vending route or expanding your automated retail logistics, these funding opportunities—ranging from micro-grants to specialized veteran loans—can provide the leverage you need to scale.

Here is a curated list of 20 funding opportunities, categorized by the type of support they offer.Private & Veteran-Specific Grants

These organizations provide non-repayable funds specifically for veteran-owned businesses.

Warrior Rising Grant: Offers micro-grants of up to $20,000, paired with mentorship to help you scale your operations. Learn more.
Second Service Foundation: Provides micro-funding and business growth support through its Military Entrepreneur Challenge pitch competition. Learn more.
NASE Growth Grants: A great resource for equipment upgrades; they offer up to $4,000 for purchasing inventory or point-of-sale hardware. Learn more.
Hiring Our Heroes (FedEx Founders Fund): Awards grants between $10,000 and $25,000 to assist with operational expansion, such as warehouse storage or bulk inventory. Learn more.
Ripple Effect: Offers $10,000 grants to businesses that create employment opportunities for fellow veterans or military spouses. Learn more.
Bizee Veteran Entrepreneur Grant: Provides $2,500 plus compliance consulting to help keep your VOSB (Veteran-Owned Small Business) status in good standing. Learn more.
The Stephen L. Tadlock Veteran Grant: A micro-grant program designed to help veteran business owners cover immediate working capital needs. Learn more.

Corporate Small Business Grants

These programs are open to small businesses, including veteran-owned enterprises, and are ideal for tech and infrastructure upgrades.

Square Cornerstone Grant: Offers $10,000 and mentorship, which is highly practical if you are integrating Square hardware into your automated machines. Learn more.
FedEx Small Business Grant Contest: An annual competition with substantial prizes reaching up to $30,000. Learn more.
Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Grants: Provides $10,000 grants to businesses that complete online courses, helping you build a professional web presence. Learn more.

State, Rural, & Infrastructure Grants

If your business operates in specific regions or serves rural areas, these infrastructure-focused grants are worth investigating.

America’s SBDC Network: Regional Small Business Development Centers often offer matching grants (up to $5,000) for local logistics providers. Find your local office.
USDA Rural Business Development Grants (RBDG): If your route covers rural regions, these grants can fund vehicle acquisition or machinery. Learn more.
State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI): Federal funding distributed via states, often featuring specific carve-outs for VOSBs. Find your state portal.

Hidden Capital & Contract Opportunities

Beyond traditional grants, leverage your status to access surplus property and federal contracts.

Federal Surplus Personal Property Program: Gain access to federal property (such as vans or warehouse equipment) for free or at a nominal cost. Find your state agency.
VA "Vets First" Contracting Program: Use your certification to bid on set-aside contracts for placement in VA facilities. Manage certifications here.

Favorable Veteran Financing

When grants aren't available, these specialized financing options offer better terms than standard commercial lenders.

SBA Express Loans for Veterans: Access up to $500,000 with zero upfront guaranty fees, ideal for rapid deployment of equipment. Learn more.
The Veteran Loan Fund: A network of community lenders (CDFIs) offering low-interest loans for early-stage veteran entrepreneurs. Learn more.
Hivers & Strivers Capital: An angel investment group focused on providing equity financing for scaling businesses. Learn more.