Grants for Veteran-Owned Businesses in New York (2026)
New York runs one of the strongest state-level programs for veteran entrepreneurs, including the NYS Division of Veterans' Services (DVS) Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (SDVOB) Certification program — one of the most recognized state SDVOB programs in the country, which unlocks state-level contract set-asides. Empire State Development and NY SBDC support veteran founders through technical assistance and grant application support. Federally, SDVOSB and VOSB certification provide access to federal set-aside contracts through SBA and the VA. NYC's Department of Small Business Services includes veteran-focused support in its small business programming. Bunker Labs NYC, Veterans in Residence by WeWork, and Patriot Boot Camp all operate programs in the state. NYC's corporate HQ density — Citi, JPMorgan, Verizon, IBM — also drives supplier diversity programs that prioritize veteran-owned businesses. Bootstrap Directory aggregates NY-eligible veteran founder grants across state, federal, and private sources for efficient prioritization. New York's combined state and city SDVOB and M/WBE eligibility pathways make it one of the few markets where a single veteran founder can pursue three distinct set-aside pools concurrently.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NYS SDVOB program?
New York State's Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (SDVOB) Certification program is administered by the NYS Division of Veterans' Services and grants certified businesses access to state contract set-asides with a legislated target of 6% of state contracting. Certification requires 51%+ ownership, service-connected disability documentation, and NY State business operations.
How does NYS SDVOB certification differ from federal SDVOSB?
NYS SDVOB is a state-level certification for New York contracting opportunities. Federal SDVOSB certification (through SBA) is for federal contracting. Many NY veteran founders pursue both since they unlock different pools of opportunities. The certification processes are separate but share similar eligibility criteria around veteran ownership and disability status.
When are NY veteran founder grants open?
State and federal contracting opportunities are ongoing. Bunker Labs NYC cohorts run multiple times annually. Empire State Development veteran-focused programming varies by fiscal year. Corporate supplier diversity programs typically accept applications year-round. Check Bootstrap Directory for current NY openings.