Resource Library

The WVCC is pleased to hear of your interest in building your “toolkit” for success. We are committed to supporting you and providing access to the resources you need along the way.

We continuously enhance our programs to help our members grow and succeed. One example is our partnership with Salute the Troops through the Vetrepreneur Project a free Veteran-Owned Business (VOB) accelerator designed for startups.

This program offers valuable business development opportunities, and upon completion, participants receive a complimentary one-year WVCC membership to support networking and collaboration.

The WVCC works closely with Veteran-Owned and Veteran-Friendly businesses to provide networking, education, and opportunities that strengthen their presence within Wisconsin’s business community.

To further support your journey, consider the following resources:

Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs – Veteran-Owned Business Registration

Veteran Entrepreneur Portal (VEP) – U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Veteran Business Outreach Center – U.S. Small Business Administration

Wisconsin Veterans Loan Fund (through WWBIC) – Loans up to $250,000

SCORE Madison HAS a Veterans Coordinator – Free business planning assistance

These are just a few of the many resources available to you. Please feel free to reach out with any specific questions—we are here to help as you navigate your business journey.

We encourage you to explore these resources and take advantage of the opportunities available.

WE are STRONGER TOGETHER!

Veteran Business Owner Resource Guide

Download the resource guide from the Wisconsin SBDC Network covering federal and state programs, nonprofit support, funding sources, and training opportunities specifically serving veteran entrepreneurs across Wisconsin.

Veteran Business Owner Resource Guide

WI Military/Veteran/Spouse
Entrepreneurial Resources

Wisconsin Small Business Development Centers

Wisconsin SBDC events

First Steps to Starting a Business

Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at UW-Eau Claire
Primarily serving Barron, Chippewa, Clark, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pepin, Rusk and Taylor counties

Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at UW-Green Bay
Primarily serving Brown, Calumet, Door, Florence, Forest, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto, Shawano and Sheboygan counties

Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at UW-La Crosse
Primarily serving Buffalo, Jackson, Juneau, La Crosse, Monroe, Trempealeau and Vernon counties

Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at UW-Madison
Primarily serving Dane, Sauk and Columbia counties
https://wisconsinsbdc.org/centers/madison/

Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at UW-Milwaukee
Primarily serving Milwaukee, Ozaukee and Washington counties
https://sbdc.wisc.edu/start-a-business/the-first-steps-to-starting-a-business/

Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at UW-Oshkosh
Primarily serving Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Marquette, Outagamie, Sheboygan, Waushara and Winnebago counties

Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at UW-Parkside
Primarily serving Kenosha and Racine counties

Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at UW-River Falls
Primarily serving Pierce, Polk and St. Croix counties

Rock County SBDC

Southwest Wisconsin SBDC
Primarily serving Crawford, Grant, Green, Iowa, Lafayette and Richland counties

Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at UW-Stevens Point
Primarily serving Adams, Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Oneida, Portage, Vilas, Waupaca and Wood counties

Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at UW-Superior
Primarily serving Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Iron, Price, Sawyer and Washburn counties

Waukesha County SBDC
Primarily serving Waukesha County

Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at UW-Whitewater
Primarily serving Jefferson, Dodge, Walworth and Rock counties

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

SBA Veteran-owned business programs

SBA Spring National Resource Guide

SBA Business Plan Guide

SBA Training – 10 Steps to Start Your Business

VBOC Boots to Business & Boots to Business | Reboot

SCORE Veteran Programs

SCORE SE Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington, Racine, Kenosha, Sheboygan, Ozaukee, Dodge, Jefferson, Walworth

SCORE Madison
Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Grant, Green, Iowa, Lafayette, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Vernon

SCORE West Central Wisconsin & UP of Michigan

Other Federal Government Agencies

U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA)
VA Veteran Entrepreneur Portal

U.S. Department of Commerce
U.S. Commercial Service Vets Go Global

LEGAL ASSISTANCE

US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Veterans Innovation and Entrepreneurship

USPTO Pro Bono IP legal assistance

American Bar Association Legal Services for Veterans
https://www.americanbar.org/groups/legal_services/milvets/aba_home_front/information_center/
https://www.americanbar.org/groups/legal_services/milvets/initiatives/
https://abafederal.freelegalanswers.org/

Stateside Legal Pro Bono

Vetlex

Legal Help for Veterans (VA)

Legal Action of Wisconsin

Agricultural / Farming

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection – Veteran Farmer Assistance
and Outreach Program

US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Veterans Entrepreneurship
https://www.usda.gov/our-agency/initiatives/veterans
https://www.usda.gov/our-agency/initiatives/veterans/veterans-and-entrepreneurship

National Institute of Food and Agriculture

USDA Farm Service Agency – loan guarantees

USDA Rural Business

Farmer Veteran Coalition

Farmer Veteran Coalition – Wisconsin Chapter

AgrAbility

AgrAbility – Wisconsin
http://www.agrability.org/srap/wi/
https://agrability.bse.wisc.edu/

Harvest of Hope
https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/news/2020/08/24/harvest-of-hope-resources/
https://wfbf.com/general-agriculture/harvest-of-hope-a-resource-for-wisconsin-farm-families/

Value Added Producer Grants

Compeer Financial – loans for agriculture

Door County Farm for Vets
Sturgeon Bay

Veteran-owned (and other) Business Certifications

SBA Veteran Contracting Assistance Programs
E-mail vetcert@sba.gov
VetCert Call Center: 1-800-862-8088
Monday – Friday, 8am – 6pm ET (except Federal holidays)

Veteran Small Business Certification (VetCert)

DoD SDVOSB

VA Vets First Verification

Federal Service Desk

SAM.gov

vetbiz

Wisconsin Resources and Certifications

Wisconsin Procurement Institute – training and counseling on certification and government
procurement

Wisconsin Veterans-Owned Business Certification

State of Wisconsin Supplier Diversity (Disabled Veteran Business) Program

Wisconsin Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)

WPI City & County of Milwaukee Supplier Diversity

Wisconsin Business Registration, Licensing and Permits

Starting a Business in Wisconsin

Wisconsin One Stop Business Portal

Wisconsin Sales and Use Tax Permits

Serving Meals License

Alcohol Beverage Permit Applications

Fuel Tax Forms

Other Taxes and Fees – Dry Cleaning Fees, Local Exposition District Taxes, Police & Fire Protection Fee,
Premier Resort Area Taxes, Rental Vehicle & Limousine Fee

Cigarette, Tobacco, and Vapor Products Forms

Government Procurement / Supplier Diversity

APEX Accelerators (formerly PTACs)

The Veteran Institute for Procurement

National Defense Industrial Association
Supporting the Defense and National Security Community

VetSource
D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families

Wisconsin Focused

Wisconsin Procurement Institute (Wisconsin APEX Accelerator)
https://www.wispro.org/events/

Financing Your Business

WWBIC

WWBIC Loan Application

Veterans Loan Fund (national, administered in Wisconsin by WWBIC)

Veteran Loan Fund announces its first-year results, plans for second round of funding – PeopleFund
Fixed Assets (504)
https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/504-loans
https://www.wbd.org/

7(a) loans

Kiva – crowd-lending, 3 year payback, 0% interest
https://www.kiva.org/
https://www.wwbic.com/business-lending/

AirBNB Loan Sources