NEWS, HAPPENINGS & MORE

Wounded Warriors Family Support and AMVET Power have partnered to launch a nationwide initiative that trains and places veterans in high-demand welding careers. The Veterans Welding Training Program offers hands-on technical instruction, industry-recognized certification, and direct connections to employers across the energy and construction sectors. Designed for transitioning service members and

Schneider Electric is rolling out a new recruitment and training program designed to bring up to 400 U.S. military veterans into customer-facing service technician roles supporting data centers, energy systems and other mission-critical infrastructure. The company emphasises the veteran transition as an opportunity to build a “mission-ready workforce” aligned with its service business.The initiati

The Department of Defense’s Military Spouse Career Accelerator Pilot (MSCAP) is graduating from pilot phase to a permanent program beginning January 1, 2026. The initiative, which pairs military spouses with private-sector employers for paid fellowships, will now feature increased stipends, about 50% higher than those offered during the pilot, and expanded eligibility to include spouses stationed

The Colorado Office of the Statewide Equity Office announced a formal 3 % procurement-spend goal for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs) under the state’s supplier-diversity program. Eligible veteran-owned firms must be verified through the SBA and maintain operational presence in Colorado to count toward this target.By codifying a spend target specifically for SDVOSBs, Color

The U.S. Department of Labor announced over $23 million in grants awarded to organizations that assist veterans who are experiencing homelessness or are at high risk in re-entering the workforce. These grants fund employment services, training, mentorship and wrap-around supports that address barriers to re-employment for vulnerable veteran populations.The program acknowledges that for many vetera

On July 10, 2025, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) implemented its new Merit Hiring Plan in response to Executive Order 14170, reforming federal recruitment with a focus on skills and performance rather than purely credential-based screening. The changes include tasks such as free-response questions assessing merit, competence and commitment, and a shift away from rigid education requireme

Florida-based Blue Cord Design & Construction, LLC, a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), secured an $8.4 million contract (FAIN 36C24825C0020) with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)’s VISN 8 Sunshine Health Care Network. The award covers architect, engineering, and construction services for facility renovations, reinforcing the VA’s ongoing commitment to engaging ve

The Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV) at the Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation announced its 2025 cohort of 23 participants made up of veterans and military spouses. ccei.uconn.edu The program delivers no-cost training in business fundamentals—feasibility analysis, marketing strategy, capital raising—through a three-phase format: online coursework, a week-long on-camp

The Semper Fi & America’s Fund launched its long‑running apprenticeship program designed for veteran entrepreneurs, providing education, mentorship and financial support for veterans launching businesses in fields from food trucks to online retail. The program, which has graduated roughly 250 veterans, positions its support as a “lifetime” network rather than a short‑term cohort.Program leadership

The U.S. Department of Defense announced expansion of its Military Spouse Career Accelerator Pilot (MSCAP) program into a permanent initiative starting January 1, 2026. The fellowship offers 12‑week placements and stipend support, with compensation increasing by roughly 50 % compared to the previous pilot period. More than 1,200 spouses have completed fellowships and ~86% received employment offer

The PenFed Foundation for Military Heroes kicked off its August 2025 cohort of the Veteran Entrepreneur Program, a six‑week, no‑cost accelerator for companies founded or led by veterans and military spouses. The program begins with a three‑day in‑person seminar in Bentonville, Arkansas, followed by virtual sessions and one‑on‑one mentorship focused on business development, marketing, brand strateg

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced the 12th annual National Veterans Small Business Week will take place November 3‑7, 2025, honoring the roughly 1.6 million veteran‑owned small businesses across the United States. With a theme of “Honoring Veteran‑Owned, American Made,” the week will feature events on manufacturing, capital access, government contracting and veteran‑entrepreneur sup

A new four‑week virtual course, “SDVET LaunchPoint,” created by Warrior Rising in partnership with U.S. Small Business Administration, gives service‑disabled veterans and their spouses a structured first step into entrepreneurship. The program helps participants clarify whether business ownership is right for them, identify skills and passions, and map those into viable market opportunities.The co

Anchor Innovation, a Service‑Disabled Veteran‑Owned Small Business headquartered in Virginia Beach, announced a $213,000 investment to expand its operations and create 86 new jobs. The expansion will bolster its capacity to serve both defense and commercial customers, underscoring the company’s dual role in military supply chains and regional economic growth.State incentives provided through the V

Baltimore will host the Mid‑Atlantic Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) and Small Business Development Center (SBDC) event on October 23 for veteran‑led manufacturing entrepreneurs, connecting them with lenders, procurement specialists and other resources. The showcase highlights regional veteran innovators and emphasizes veterans’ contribution to manufacturing, made‑in‑America supply chains

A proposed amendment to the Department of Defense‑led procurement rules would establish formal participation goals for veteran‑owned small businesses (VOSBs) within the FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Specifically, the amendment would align VOSB goals with existing targets for service‑disabled veteran‑owned small businesses (SDVOSBs), and introduce criteria governing sole‑source

The state-based nonprofit Veterans Florida has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for its FY 2025-26 Entrepreneurship Program, signaling an expansion of veteran-entrepreneur support across Florida. The RFQ invites qualified partner organizations to deliver cohort-based training, workshops, mentoring, business roundtables and networking sessions for veterans and military spouses, with a focu

U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship, led 62 bipartisan colleagues in passing a resolution recognizing November 3–7, 2025, as National Veterans Small Business Week. The resolution honors the 1.65 million veteran-owned small businesses across the country that collectively employ 3.3 million Americans and generate nearly $1 trillion in

Bank of America announced a $350,000 grant to American Corporate Partners (ACP) to fund 250 one-on-one mentorships for veterans and military spouses over the next year, in honor of the U.S. 250th anniversary. The partnership builds on the company’s long-standing veteran hiring initiatives, including a goal to bring on 10,000 more veterans and military-connected individuals in the next five years.

The Women Veterans Alliance is teaming up with Soldiers To Sidelines (STS) for the 5th year in a row to present the Military Women's Coaching Certification Seminar powered by Wounded Warrior Project.Soldiers To Sidelines empowers and educates veterans and service members to become coaches focused on character development. All that's needed is a willingness to learn, engage, and make a positive dif