Choose the help you need, then check the reviewed source, eligibility, and relationship before relying on a resource.
Texas veteran entrepreneurs can draw on three overlapping networks: ordinary small-business help available to everyone, Texas programs such as the Comptroller's VetHUB certification and the Texas Veterans Commission's Veteran Entrepreneur Program, and federal programs from SBA, VA, and contracting agencies. TVEN lists each resource with its source type, the organization responsible for it, the geography it serves, its cost, and the date TVEN last reviewed it.
An official-government label tells you where the information comes from; it does not mean the agency sponsors or endorses TVEN. Community and private resources are labeled as such. Always confirm eligibility, deadlines, and fees with the provider before relying on a listing.
Our long-form guides explain how these resources fit together for a Texas veteran founder, step by step.
Early-stage resources help you test an idea, choose a structure, and write a plan before you commit money. The most useful ones are free: SBA planning tools, Small Business Development Centers, SCORE mentors, Veterans Business Outreach Centers, and the Texas Veterans Commission’s Veteran Entrepreneur Program.
Use them in order. Validate the customer first, then decide on formation and veteran-specific benefits, then build the plan a lender or partner will read.
Reviewed resource center
TVEN separates official government resources from community and private resources, records review dates, and favors provenance over a giant unverified directory.
Showing 9 reviewed resources
U.S. Small Business Administration guidance for veteran entrepreneurs, including training, counseling, financing orientation, and federal contracting resources.
Official U.S. Small Business Administration veterans resource page. SBA is the source authority for the federal guidance linked here.
Resource detailsVisit SBA Veterans Business ResourcesSBA resource-partner network offering veteran entrepreneurs workshops, training, counseling, mentorship, and referrals to local business resources.
Official SBA directory for its resource-partner network. Individual VBOCs may be operated by universities or other partner organizations.
Resource detailsVisit Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC)Official Texas business-formation information covering entity structures, filing pathways, registered agents, names, forms, and other formation topics.
Official Texas Secretary of State business-formation resource. Filing fees and requirements are controlled by the state, not TVEN.
Resource detailsVisit Texas Secretary of State — Let’s Do BusinessTexas network of volunteer business mentors and workshops supporting aspiring and established small-business owners across the state.
Community resource and SBA resource partner, not a government agency. SCORE states that its mentoring service is free.
Resource detailsVisit SCORE TexasUniversity-hosted small-business development network providing advising, training, research, contracting, trade, and technology-commercialization support across its Texas service area.
Community/university resource funded in part by Texas and an SBA cooperative agreement. It is not itself a Texas or federal government agency.
Resource detailsVisit Texas South-West SBDC NetworkTexas surplus-property store and online-auction information for public purchasers; availability and purchase terms are controlled by TFC.
Official Texas Facilities Commission program. Review current availability, eligibility, and terms with TFC.
Resource detailsVisit Texas Facilities Commission State Surplus StoreFederal surplus access for eligible organizations, including certain certified veteran-owned businesses. TFC controls eligibility; the general public is not eligible and veteran ownership alone does not establish qualification.
Official Texas Facilities Commission program. Review current availability, eligibility, and terms with TFC.
Resource detailsVisit Texas Facilities Commission Federal Surplus ProgramCommercial coaching from The Entrepreneur’s Source for career transition, business ownership and franchise exploration. Listed resource provider; no TVEN credential or government endorsement.
Commercial disclosure: The provider says TES coaches earn referral fees from businesses and do not charge clients for coaching. Business, franchise, and financing costs are separate. No TVEN referral agreement is established by this listing. Ask how recommendations and compensation are determined.
Resource detailsVisit Patrice Miles, Career Ownership CoachA practical starting sequence covering business ideas, planning, formation, funding, veteran programs, and mentoring.
TVEN navigation guide to reviewed resources. Government programs retain their own eligibility and application requirements.
Resource detailsVisit Veteran Founder Startup Resource GuideTVEN focuses on entrepreneurship. Broader veteran support stays with the appropriate independent service or official provider.
Stay with TVEN for planning, funding, contracting, business formation, and mentoring resources.
Browse TVEN business resourcesVeteran Mission Control provides independent veteran information and tools. It complements TVEN and is not a government agency.
Explore Veteran Mission Control (opens in a new tab)Source reviewed . Review source details.
Use reviewed government resources to find the responsible agency or service provider. Confirm eligibility and availability directly with that provider.
Browse official veteran resourcesStart with programs that match the problem you are solving. Texas and federal options can include business counseling, veteran entrepreneurship programs, procurement support, certifications, and ordinary small-business resources. Eligibility and availability vary, so TVEN keeps the source and review date visible rather than treating every program as universally available.
Open the Texas veteran startup guideSome public, nonprofit, university, corporate, or competition-based programs periodically offer grants, but there is no universal veteran-business grant entitlement. Verify the sponsor, eligibility, deadline, permitted use of funds, and whether an application fee or purchase is required before relying on any listing.
Review funding resourcesVeteran status can help identify specialized counseling or lender programs, but most business financing still depends on the lender, business model, credit, collateral, cash flow, and use of funds. Compare SBA-backed lending, community lenders, banks, credit unions, and other legitimate sources instead of assuming a veteran-specific loan is automatically better.
Compare reviewed finance resourcesFree or no-cost counseling may be available through organizations such as SBA resource partners, Veterans Business Outreach Centers, Small Business Development Centers, SCORE, and Texas or local programs. Services, locations, and eligibility can change, so confirm the current offering with the provider.
Find counseling and mentoring resourcesYes. TVC’s FY2028 Fund for Veterans’ Assistance grant cycle is open for eligible nonprofit organizations and local government agencies that provide direct services to Texas veterans. The state announced an estimated $31 million in available funding. Applications close December 2, 2026 at 5 p.m. Central. This is not a general grant program for individual veterans or ordinary for-profit veteran-owned businesses.
Review the FY2028 FVA grant opportunityThe Texas Veterans Commission Fund for Veterans’ Assistance funds local organizations that provide direct services across Texas. Assistance can include emergency financial help, housing and homelessness support, home repairs, legal aid, transportation, counseling, food, family and elder services, trade-skills training, service dogs, treatment courts, and veterinary care. FVA grants go to participating organizations, not directly to veterans.
Find Fund for Veterans’ Assistance providers