Where can Texas veterans get free help starting or growing a business?

Texas Veterans Commission: Veteran Entrepreneur Program

The Texas Veterans Commission’s Veteran Entrepreneur Program supports veteran entrepreneurs and veteran-owned small businesses at every stage. TVC describes its team as veterans assisting fellow veterans and their families, organized into North, South, East, West, and Central districts, and working closely with community partners such as SBA, SCORE, and Small Business Development Centers.

TVC lists consultation services including Veteran Verification Letters, the Veteran-Owned Business logo, business plans, financing, market research, marketing strategy, government contracting, and exit strategies, along with referrals to specialists and third-party lenders. You request help through TVC’s online Connect with a Business Consultant process; TVC states it aims to respond within 72 business hours by email from a @tvc.texas.gov address.

• Best for: Texas-specific veteran steps, such as the Veteran Verification Letter for franchise-tax and filing-fee benefits, plus general startup consulting.
• Who: veterans and their families, according to TVC.

Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs)

SBA’s Veterans Business Outreach Center program offers resources to veterans, service members, and military spouses interested in starting or growing a small business. SBA describes VBOC services as business plan workshops, concept assessments, mentorship, and training for eligible service members, veterans, National Guard and Reserve members, and military spouses. VBOCs also help deliver SBA’s Boots to Business training.

Use SBA’s local assistance tools to find the VBOC that serves your area. Many VBOC services are available virtually.

• Best for: testing a business concept, building a plan, and veteran-specific training.

Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs)

SBA describes Small Business Development Centers as hosted by leading universities and state economic development agencies and partially funded through a partnership with SBA, with advisers who offer free business consulting and low-cost training. Texas is served by several regional SBDC networks hosted by universities, with centers in cities and rural areas across the state.

SBDC advisers are especially useful for financial projections, loan packages, market research, and growth planning for an existing business. Some centers have specialists in areas such as exporting, technology, or government contracting.

• Best for: financial projections, loan preparation, market research, and established-business growth.

SCORE mentors

SCORE is a nonprofit SBA resource partner whose volunteer mentors include experienced business owners and executives. Mentoring is free, and you can often choose a mentor with experience in your industry and meet repeatedly over months.

A good SCORE relationship is like having an experienced adviser you can call when a decision comes up. Ask for a mentor whose background matches your industry or the stage you are in.

• Best for: ongoing one-on-one mentoring and industry-specific experience.

APEX Accelerators for government contracting

APEX Accelerators, formerly Procurement Technical Assistance Centers, provide no-cost guidance to help businesses compete for federal, state, and local government contracts. Texas centers are hosted by universities and colleges in regions across the state. Typical help includes SAM.gov and state vendor registration, market research on what agencies buy, finding solicitations, bid and proposal review, and understanding certification programs.

If government sales are part of your plan, schedule an APEX session before you apply for certifications, so your codes, registrations, and target agencies are aligned.

• Best for: SAM.gov, CMBL, VetCert and VetHUB questions, and bid reviews.

Other free or low-cost help

SBA district offices in Texas include Veterans Business Development Officers, whom SBA describes as helping veteran entrepreneurs find programs and training. Women veterans and military spouses can also use SBA’s Women’s Business Centers. Manufacturers can contact TMAC, the Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center. Many Texas chambers of commerce, community colleges, and public libraries also host small-business workshops.

TVEN’s resource directory lists reviewed counseling and mentoring resources with their source type and review date, and the TVEN Mentor Network connects founders with mentors who choose to participate.

How to choose and prepare

Pick the adviser that fits the decision in front of you. If you are not sure, start with TVC or a VBOC; they can refer you onward. You can use more than one program, and many veterans do.

Prepare before each meeting. Advisers can help much more when you bring specifics.

• A one-page summary: customer, offer, price, how you will reach customers, and what you have tested so far.
• Your numbers, even rough ones: start-up costs, monthly costs, and expected sales.
• One or two specific questions, such as “Is this price realistic?” or “Which certification fits my target customer?”
• Your timeline and constraints, including any separation date, benefits you are using, or financing deadlines.

Watch for paid look-alikes

Some companies charge for services that public programs provide for free, such as SAM.gov registration or certification applications, and some use official-sounding names. Before paying for help, check whether TVC, a VBOC, an SBDC, SCORE, or an APEX Accelerator offers it at no cost. Paid professionals such as attorneys and accountants are valuable for legal and tax decisions, but you should understand what you are buying.

Frequently asked questions