# Penn State Awarded Grant to Launch Veterans Business Outreach Center

**UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.** — In a significant move to support entrepreneur veterans and military spouses, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has recently announced a grant award to Penn State University. This funding will facilitate the establishment of a Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) aimed at enhancing training and counseling services tailored specifically for small-business owners who are veterans or military spouses, both for new ventures and existing businesses throughout the commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

## The Importance of Supporting Veteran Entrepreneurs

“Veterans currently own nearly 55,000 businesses in Pennsylvania, and every month, we see more service members who are contemplating entrepreneurship leaving military service and transitioning into civilian life,” highlighted Robert Yannuzzi, the SBA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Veterans Business Development. “We selected Penn State as a host for this Veterans Business Outreach Center due to their strong existing ties to the veteran community and their extensive entrepreneurial support system throughout the state. The VBOC at Penn State will play a vital role in the overarching mission of all SBA VBOCs: to serve as a comprehensive resource for veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs, irrespective of where they are in their business journey.”

With the announcement of over $1 million in awards for multiple organizations—including those in Puerto Rico and Ohio—to establish similar VBOCs, the commitment to support veteran entrepreneurship is clear and wide-reaching.

## Services Offered by the Veterans Business Outreach Center

VBOCs provide an array of essential business support services that are particularly crucial for the unique challenges faced by service members, veterans, and military spouses. These services encompass business planning, guidance on accessing capital, advice on government contracts, marketing strategies, and outreach initiatives. Training programs designed to empower military-affiliated entrepreneurs serve as foundational elements of the VBOC.

Penn State’s President Neeli Bendapudi expressed pride in the institution for recognizing the invaluable contributions of veterans to the nation. “We honor their service and sacrifice by supporting their education and continuing success. The establishment of this new Veterans Business Outreach Center underscores our long-standing commitment to nurturing entrepreneurs and serving our veterans. After all, as I say frequently, we are the land of the free only because we are the home of the brave,” said Bendapudi.

### Key Entrepreneurship Programs

Prominent programs housed under the VBOC umbrella include the Boots to Business (B2B) initiative, a crucial segment of the Department of Defense’s Transition Assistance Program. This encompasses the Boots to Business Reboot and the Military Spouse Pathway to Business program. Penn State’s VBOC will actively participate in all B2B offerings in Pennsylvania, reinforcing support through quarterly B2B classes hosted at locations such as U.S. Army Carlisle Barracks.

It’s worth noting that the formation of this center was made possible through the advocacy and support of U.S. Representatives GT Thompson and Chrissy Houlahan, as well as Senators Bob Casey and John Fetterman.

“Pennsylvania is home to over 720,000 veterans, ranking fifth in the nation for veterans’ population, indicating a tremendous demand for entrepreneurial development services,” Thompson and Houlahan stressed in their supportive correspondence. They further emphasized that “[…] a Penn State VBOC will provide essential resources and expertise necessary to successfully transition our service members into business ownership, ultimately increasing new venture success rates throughout Pennsylvania.”

### An Integrated Support Ecosystem

Senators Fetterman and Casey pointed out a strategic advantage: “With 96% of Pennsylvanians living within 30 miles of one of 21 Invent Penn State LaunchBox hubs, the University is uniquely situated to engage with veteran entrepreneurs and military families across all regions of the commonwealth.”

Annie Hughes, serving as the statewide coordinator of the Invent Penn State LaunchBox & Innovation Network, will act as the interim director for the VBOC until a permanent candidate is appointed. The center will be situated within the Penn State Office of Entrepreneurship and Commercialization and will be centrally located at Innovation Park on the Penn State campus. The VBOC is poised to seamlessly integrate into Pennsylvania’s rich ecosystem of entrepreneurial resources, which includes Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers, SCORE, and various services coordinated through the Invent Penn State initiative.

“We are eager to launch this center and tap into our extensive network of valued resource partners. By leveraging our LaunchBox & Innovation Network locations already embedded within communities throughout the state, we aim to ensure that these vital VBOC resources reach the areas where they are most needed,” said James Delattre, the associate vice president for research and director of the Office of Entrepreneurship and Commercialization. “We are excited to provide an additional layer of business support specifically tailored for the veteran community in Pennsylvania.”

## Upcoming Events and the Path Forward

Details about the official opening of the new center will be forthcoming. To celebrate National Veteran Small Business Week, the Penn State Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will host the Boots to Business Reboot program as part of the Global Entrepreneurship Week-Penn State initiative. This one-day course is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 15, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in room 612 of the Eric J. Barron Innovation Hub. Those interested can learn more and register through the provided channels.

## Understanding Veterans Business Outreach Centers

### Overview of VBOCs

The Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) program is a flagship initiative by the U.S. Small Business Administration aimed at fostering entrepreneurship among veterans. Managed through the SBA’s Office of Veterans Business Development, this program features 31 VBOC locations across the country, boasting numerous success stories. The centers offer invaluable services including business plan workshops, concept assessments, mentorship, and comprehensive training for eligible veterans. Interested individuals can find their nearest center through the SBA’s network.

## About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration plays an integral role in making the American dream of business ownership a reality. Serving as a solitary resource and advocate for small businesses, bolstered by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs by providing essential support and resources needed to establish, grow, or expand their ventures, including assistance during declared disasters. This support is delivered through a robust network of SBA field offices alongside strategic partnerships with both public and private organizations. For further details, visit [www.sba.gov](http://www.sba.gov).

## The Role of AI legalese decoder

In navigating the complexities of starting and running a business, legal documentation can be an overwhelming hurdle for many veteran entrepreneurs. This is where AI legalese decoder comes into play. It simplifies intricate legal jargon into plain language, making it accessible and understandable for small business owners. Thus, veteran entrepreneurs utilizing the VBOC will not only benefit from traditional business support services but can also leverage AI legalese decoder to demystify contracts, agreements, and legal requirements. This crucial tool allows service members and veterans to focus on growing their ventures rather than getting lost in legalese, ultimately increasing their chances for success in the business landscape.