Veteran Entrepreneurship

Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs in partnership with the Illinois Department of Central Management Services provides training and outreach to aspiring, emerging and established entrepreneurs by connecting them to government agencies, educational institutions, trade associations and business sector experts to educate them on resources and opportunities available to veteran-owned and service disabled veteran-owned business.

Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs seeks to empower aspiring, emerging and established entrepreneurs by providing access to resources, capital and technical assistance.

IDVA and its partner organizations host a variety of trainings, seminars and informational sessions across the state to share pertinent information and resources to veterans, military families and returning servicemembers. Past events have included specialized training sessions with the Illinois Capital Investment Board, the Elite SDVOB Network, the Illinois Department of Commercial and Economic Opportunity, and the Illinois Department of Transportation, among many others. Participants who attend events have a unique opportunity to network and exchange best practices with industry experts, employers and like-minded professionals.

Event participants gain personalized assistance in a number of important areas, including:

• Procurement
• Federal, State, County, City Contracting
• Business Plan Development
• Veteran certification enterprise application assistance
• Strategic Growth Plan Development
• Access to Capital
• Marketing and Branding