VBOCServices & Programs
The programs and services at the Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) exist to serve active-duty and transitioning military service members, reservists, national guardsmen, veterans, and their families who are interested in entrepreneurship and/or small business ownership, as well as veteran-small business owners in Hampton Roads and throughout SBA Region III (Virginia and West Virginia).
Our desire is that all veteran entrepreneurs and small business owners would take advantage of the entrepreneurial development services available to them through VBOC, which include: business education/training, counseling, mentoring, business and funding plan development, government contracting assistance, resource referrals and more.
Cost/Eligibility
Services are available free of charge for active duty service members, veterans, service disabled veterans, U.S. military reservists, national guard, and their dependants; including transitioning service members eligible for participation in the DOD/DOL Transition Assistance Program.
Virginia Workforce Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center
The Business Development Center at ODU is funded in part by the Virginia Workforce Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (VWIEC). The VWIEC will facilitate opportunities for Virginia's current and aspiring entrepreneurs to help grow our recovering economy. Qualified individuals and businesses receiving services through the center may be additionally eligible to receive financial support to offset license, certification, and other costs.
The Virginia Workforce Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (VWIEC) was established in October 2020 through the Department of Education Reimagine Workforce Preparation Grant. VWIEC operates on the behalf of the Virginia Board of Workforce Development. We are a Hampton University entity and, therefore, a 501 (3) non-profit institute of higher education.
Military Transition Services
VBOC offers a number of military transition services, including the Boots to Business program, on-site transition events at military installations, and more.
Boots to Business
Boot to Business (B2B) is an entrepreneurial education and training program offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as part of the Department of Defense's Transition Assistance Program. The curriculum continuum includes: steps for evaluating business concepts, the foundational knowledge required to develop a business plan, and information on available SBA resources to help access start-up capital and additional technical assistance.
For a list of upcoming workshops, please visit our Boots to Business page. To learn more about the program please visit www.sba.gov/bootstobusiness.
Boots to business
Outreach & Other Training Events
Outreach and event activity consists of: veteran, military, government, and defense related conferences; veteran-owned business training and workshop opportunities; and diverse networking events. VBOC strives to work with local, regional and multi-state organizations and community resource partners (SBA, SBDC, SCORE) in Region III (Virginia and West Virginia) for the purpose of assisting military and veteran-owned small business owners to make the right connections for their business.
Business Counseling Services
VBOC counselors, working with other SBA resource partners, target entrepreneurial training projects and counseling sessions tailored specifically to address the needs and concerns of the veteran entrepreneur.
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Business Plan Preparation
VBOC counselors assist clients in developing and maintaining a business plan through Business Plan training workshops. The business plan includes such elements as the legal form of the business, equipment requirements and cost, organizational structure, a strategic plan, market analysis, and a financial plan. Financial plans include financial projections, budget projections, and funding requirements. These business plan development workshops offer entrepreneurial development skills dealing specifically with the major issue of small business ownership. An important segment of these workshops entails in-depth business counseling assistance with building a business plan, to include financials and marketing information for developing and launching a business.
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Comprehensive Feasibility Analysis
The New Venture Feasibility Analysis Tool is designed to help ask the 'right' questions in an effort to assist the entrepreneur in discovering whether his/her idea or business concept is realistic, achievable and marketable; and hopefully formulate an approach to answering those questions before launching the business.
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Mentorship
VBOC counselors conduct, as appropriate, on-site visits with clients to ensure adherence to their business plans. Additionally, VBOC counselors review monthly financial statements to determine whether a revision of the business plan is warranted or that desired results are being attained.
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Government Contracting Assistance
VBOC can help you with government contracting. In addition to the occasional seminars and educational events we host to provide information to business owners about business contracting, our counselors can also meet with you to assist you. Contact us for more information.
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Resource Referrals
In partnership with the US Small Business Administration (SBA), we have developed an extensive network of partners to assist with your business needs. Contact us for more information about Resource Referrals.
