Veterans Tell Congress They Need More Than Praise — Real Support to Start and Grow Businesses

Clear message from the Hill: veteran entrepreneurs want funding, training and fair access

At a Capitol Hill hearing convened by the House Committee on Small Business, leaders of the Veterans in Business (VIB) network pressed lawmakers for concrete steps to help service members launch and scale companies. The testimony, delivered by VIB chief executive Rebecca Aguilera-Gardiner, framed the question simply: if America wants veteran-run firms to thrive, Congress needs to match words with money and clearer rules. Lawmakers from both parties listened, asked questions and signaled they could move on small, targeted changes.

Aguilera-Gardiner lays out practical fixes and specific asks

Rebecca Aguilera-Gardiner told the committee that many veterans arrive with strong leadership and technical skills but face common roadblocks when they try to start businesses. She urged Congress to expand funding for local technical assistance, boost programs that teach business basics to transitioning service members, and streamline the veteran small-business certification process that affects access to government contracts.

In her testimony, Aguilera-Gardiner highlighted three priorities: more grants and stable funding for veteran-focused business incubators, a faster and more transparent verification system for veteran-owned status in federal procurement, and sustained investment in mentorship programs that pair veterans with seasoned entrepreneurs. “Veterans bring discipline and mission focus to entrepreneurship,” she said. “What they need is reliable access to capital, clear pathways to contracts, and mentors who can translate military experience into business success.”

She also called for better data tracking so policymakers can see which programs actually help veterans build viable firms rather than just creating short, one-off workshops. Aguilera-Gardiner argued that modest, targeted investments would produce far better outcomes than one-time publicity campaigns.

Policy backdrop: what already exists and where the gaps are

The House Small Business Committee oversees programs meant to help new firms get off the ground, and several federal efforts already aim to support veteran entrepreneurs. Programs run through the Small Business Administration and other agencies offer training, loan guarantees and preferential contracting set-asides for certified veteran-owned businesses.

But witnesses at the hearing said the current system can be slow and confusing. Certification for veteran-owned status is often paper-heavy and time-consuming, and small non-profit incubators that deliver real help operate on thin budgets. Lawmakers discussed proposals that would increase appropriations for in-person technical assistance and speed up the federal verification process so veteran firms can compete for set-aside contracts sooner.

The hearing also touched on procurement rules that give preference to veteran-owned suppliers. While such rules exist, witnesses said they do not always translate into actual contracts because larger procurement systems favor incumbent vendors who already have established relationships with agencies.

Bipartisan interest and what the hearing could mean next

Reaction in the room was broadly sympathetic. Members of the committee from both parties praised veterans for their service and said they wanted to remove barriers to entrepreneurship. Several lawmakers suggested administrative fixes — such as dedicating staff to speed certification — that could be enacted without major new legislation.

Nonprofit groups and small-business advocates who testified alongside VIB echoed Aguilera-Gardiner’s main point: help that is local, ongoing and practical does more than single seminars or recognition events. The immediate implication is that the committee may push for modest policy changes and funding increases in the next appropriations cycle rather than waiting for a big, standalone bill.

How veterans and supporters can follow up and stay engaged

Veterans interested in entrepreneurship can connect with the Veterans in Business network to learn about training, mentorship and local incubator programs. Aguilera-Gardiner encouraged veterans to register for hands-on workshops and to seek certification early so they are ready when contracting opportunities arise.

For allies and local organizations, the path forward is practical: support stable funding for veteran-focused technical assistance, volunteer as mentors, and help entrepreneurs navigate the paperwork for federal procurement. The House committee has signaled it will hold follow-up briefings and may invite testimony from government agencies about how quickly they can act — a chance for advocates to press for concrete timelines and funding commitments.

In short, the hearing made a clear point: lawmakers want to help, but veteran entrepreneurs need predictable programs and faster access to contracts if they are to turn military experience into lasting companies.