An initiative of the American Rescue Plan, the SBA Community Navigator Pilot Program is designed to reduce barriers for underrepresented and underserved entrepreneurs and improve access to programs and resources they need to recover, grow, or start businesses. The program includes a “hub” organization at the center of a network of “spoke” organizations that engage trusted community advocates to support small businesses. Of the eight Tier One Community Navigator hubs funded, IVMF is the only hub providing dedicated support for military-connected small businesses.

Spoke organizations will partner with the IVMF to support veterans and military spouses with entrepreneurship education, technical assistance, loan preparation, capital readiness, and opportunities for corporate and federal contracting and networking.

Find All SBA Resources Near You!

The right information and resources can make all the difference in the success of your small business. The COE Veteran Entrepreneurship Resource Library offers original and curated content like articles, videos, data infographics and websites that deliver insights and advice to help you on your journey.

Explore The Digital Library!

We created a calendar featuring all our the CNPP spokes to make sure you don’t miss a single exciting event that’s happening across the country. Find events in your area you can attend in-person or online streams that you can join from anywhere.

View the Calendar

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

The IVMF at Syracuse University is the first national institute in higher education singularly focused on advancing the lives of the nation’s military, veterans, and their families. IVMF research regularly highlights how military-connected business owners face a range of unique barriers, including a fragmented ecosystem, capital readiness, and difficulty navigating networks and resources. IVMF will lead support for veterans and military spouses with entrepreneurship education, technical assistance, loan preparation, capital readiness, and opportunities for corporate and federal contracting and networking.

“We are honored to continue working with the SBA and our vast network of partners to ensure that veterans and military spouses to receive efficient, timely, and comprehensive access to services and resources they need for resilience and success where they are, and when they need them in their entrepreneurial journey.” – Michael Haynie, Ph.D., Vice chancellor for Strategic initiatives and Innovation, Barnes Professor of Entrepreneurship and IVMF Executive Director.