SBA Awards $75,000 to Dog Tag Inc.

The  U.S. Small Business Administration announced $75,000 in grant funding to Dog Tag Inc. to empower service-disabled veterans, military spouses, and caregivers through our innovative business and entrepreneurship-focused fellowship program. 

The funding opportunity, offered by SBA’s Office of Veterans Business Development, supports each organization’s programs for service-disabled veterans planning to start a new business or expand and diversify existing small businesses. Each awardee was chosen based on their demonstrated history of and commitment to providing training programs and resources to service-disabled veterans.

“Service-disabled veteran small business owners bring a unique and valued skill set to entrepreneurship,” said SBA Acting Administrator Chris Pilkerton. “Funding these organizations involved in helping service-disabled veterans establish successful businesses will go a long way toward securing the future for these veterans and their families.” 

In addition to Dog Tag Inc., the three other awardees include:

• Riata Center for Entrepreneurship, Spears School of Business at Oklahoma State University (Stillwater, Oklahoma): Veterans Entrepreneurship Program (VEP) - $75,000. VEP opens the door to small business ownership by developing skills needed to create and sustaining a business, while coordinating the offering of additional programs and services for service-disabled veterans.

• Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University (Syracuse, New York): Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities (EBV) - $100,000. The Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities at Syracuse University combines entrepreneurial education with hands-on experience. The program curriculum is designed to take service-disabled veterans through the stages of venture creation, while providing the training, professional networks and support necessary to successfully launch a business. 

• Saint Joseph’s University (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania): Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities (EBV) – $50,000. Saint Joseph’s University’s program is designed to provide the tools, education and mentoring necessary for post-9/11 disabled veterans to start or grow their businesses.

The SBA will celebrate service-disabled veterans, as well as all-era veterans, service members, and military spouses during National Veterans Small Business Week from November 4 to 8, 2019.

SBA district offices and resource partners will host events nationwide connecting current and aspiring veteran business owners to entrepreneurship resources.  Celebrate NVSBW by visiting www.sba.gov/vetbiz.

To learn more about the SBA’s small business startup and expansion resources for veterans, visit www.sba.gov/veterans.