SBA opens veterans small business week with new contracting and lending measures

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SBA Veterans Small Business Week 2026

Highlights

SBA will double federal contracting targets for Veteran-Owned and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses from 5% to 10% by fiscal 2027.
SBA launches a national pilot with VetsinTech for veteran founders in the drone and dual-use aerospace market, focusing on training and capital access.
SBA is waiving 7(a) loan program equity rules for veteran business acquisitions, letting buyers meet the 10% equity requirement from any capital source.

Veterans week agenda and new support measures

As announced by the U.S. Small Business Administration, this year's National Veterans Small Business Week centers on the theme "Honoring Veteran-Owned, American Made" and includes three policy moves aimed at military-connected entrepreneurs. The agency says it is doubling the combined prime contracting and subcontracting target for Veteran-Owned Small Businesses and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses at federal agencies from 5% to 10% for fiscal 2027.

SBA is also launching a national pilot with VetsinTech focused on training, capital access support and procurement pathways for veteran founders in the drone and dual-use aerospace market. In addition, the agency is waiving equity rules under its 7(a) loan program for veteran business acquisitions, allowing buyers to meet the 10% equity requirement through any capital source rather than relying on personal savings alone.

The week opens in Washington, D.C., with an event featuring Vice President JD Vance, SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler, Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. SBA and its resource partners are then holding in-person and virtual events nationwide for aspiring and established veteran entrepreneurs.

Veteran-owned firms remain a major small business constituency

Veteran-owned small businesses continue to represent a significant part of the U.S. small business base. SBA says more than 1.8 million veteran-owned small businesses employ four million workers, generate $1.3 trillion in annual sales and account for $258 billion in payroll.

The agency adds that 7% of the nation's 632,000 small manufacturers are veteran-owned, linking this year's program to broader efforts to rebuild domestic industry and strengthen supply chains. In fiscal 2026, SBA approves more than 2,800 loans for veteran-owned small businesses totaling $1.32 billion in federally backed capital, while also approving more than 18,000 contracting certifications for veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned firms.

Through its Office of Veterans Business Development and a network that includes 51 Veterans Business Outreach Center locations, SBA says it is expanding training, mentorship and access to federal programs for veterans, service members, military spouses and military families. This week's programming focuses on manufacturing, federal contracting and business expansion opportunities.

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