Veterans Business Outreach Center - Expansion FY23 | SB OVVB 23 001

Opportunity Information: Apply for SB OVVB 23 001

The Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) - Expansion FY23 grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number SB OVVB 23 001) is a discretionary funding program offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) through a cooperative agreement. Its core goal is to expand and strengthen support services for the veteran entrepreneurship community by funding organizations that can deliver high-quality training, counseling, and hands-on business assistance. The program is designed to help veterans and military-connected individuals move from interest in entrepreneurship to building sustainable, growth-oriented small businesses, whether they are starting from scratch, scaling an existing company, or diversifying into new markets.

A central expectation of this opportunity is that awardees actively deliver two SBA entrepreneurship training programs that serve different points in the military-to-civilian transition. First, applicants must provide Boots to Business (B2B) training for transitioning service members and spouses, a program aimed at introducing entrepreneurship fundamentals and helping participants evaluate business ownership as a viable career path. Second, applicants must provide Reboot training for veterans and military spouses, which generally supports people who are either beginning the startup process or refining an early-stage business concept. Together, these programs reflect the SBA's intent to reach both those preparing to exit active service and those already in the veteran community who are ready to develop or relaunch a business plan.

Beyond structured training classes, the opportunity emphasizes ongoing, individualized assistance. Funded organizations are expected to provide counseling, business assessments, mentoring, and technical support that address real-world small business challenges. This includes financial and technical skill development, help navigating common startup and growth hurdles, and guidance for entrepreneurs who want to expand, professionalize operations, or diversify products and services. The eligible clients served under this work include veterans, active-duty service members, Reserve and National Guard members, military spouses, and in some cases family members, with services oriented toward both prospective entrepreneurs and current small business owners.

The program is open to a broad mix of applicant types, reflecting an intent to fund capable providers across nonprofit, government, academic, and private-sector settings. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; 501(c)(3) nonprofits (other than institutions of higher education); and private sector firms. The funding is tied to CFDA (now commonly referred to as Assistance Listing) 59.044, and it falls under the funding activity category of Agriculture, Business, and Commerce, consistent with SBA's role in small business development.

In terms of scale, the opportunity lists an award ceiling of $400,000 per award and anticipates making approximately 12 awards. The notice was created on October 6, 2022, with an original closing date of November 23, 2022. As a cooperative agreement, recipients should generally expect substantial involvement from the SBA compared to a traditional grant, meaning the agency may play an active role in coordinating program delivery expectations, performance oversight, or alignment with national program standards for the B2B and Reboot training components.

Overall, VBOC - Expansion FY23 is aimed at expanding a network of organizations that can provide practical, outcomes-oriented entrepreneurship services to the military-connected community. It prioritizes both classroom-style training and deeper one-on-one counseling and mentoring so participants can make informed decisions, build viable business plans, improve financial readiness, and increase the odds that their businesses can launch successfully and remain sustainable over time.

• The Small Business Administration in the agriculture, business and commerce sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Veterans Business Outreach Center - Expansion FY23" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 59.044.
• This funding opportunity was created on Oct 06, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Nov 23, 2022 No Explanation. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $400,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 12 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.

Apply for SB OVVB 23 001

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