How Kingdom Ware Helps Veteran Businesses to Get Started

Andrew P. Doro

July 18, 2022

Andrew P. Doro

How Kingdom Ware helps veteran businesses to get started? Veteran-owned businesses are increasingly sought after for their unique qualities and unique abilities. While there are a variety of funding opportunities available to veteran-owned businesses, many are not aware of all of their eligibility requirements. In this article, we will discuss the Veteran Entrepreneurship Program and Veterans First Contracting Program to help veteran businesses get the start they need. We will also discuss how the VA can help veteran-owned businesses get started with these programs.

Funding options for veteran-owned businesses

Veterans can apply for funding through many sources. For starters, there are the Veteran Business Fund (VBF) and VetFran programs. The latter offers loans with favorable terms to vets. While they require veterans to make up half of the necessary equity, the VBF will cover the rest. Other sources of financing for veteran-owned businesses include family members, angel investors, and venture capitalists.

Veterans can also turn to small business incubators to find financing. They provide business education and training, as well as networking opportunities. Some incubators also provide office space and low-cost manufacturing facilities. Some offer business education classes and help entrepreneurs prepare a business plan and financial forecast. Veteran-owned businesses can also use the facilities of nonprofit organizations. They can also seek funding from angel investors or venture capitalists who invest in established private companies. However, many people seeking funding for their new ventures should seek legal and tax advisors before finalizing any business deals.

Veterans First Contracting Program

A recent court case held that the Veterans First Contracting Program at Kingdom Ware complies with the law. This rule requires the government to prioritize veteran-owned small businesses in its contracting decisions. In Kingdomware Technologies, Inc. v. the United States, No. 14-916 (2016), the Supreme Court ruled that the Veterans First Contracting Program must comply with the law. Because of this case, the VA should implement the Veterans First Contracting Program in the future.

The rule applies to most VA procurement cases, and the rule of two was applied. According to Kingdomware, the Rule of Two applies when the small business has reached the goal of submitting proposals. The law does not require that the VA apply the Rule of Two to every contract, though. Instead, VA must determine if the small business meets the “rule of two” and whether it is eligible to submit a proposal.

Veterans Entrepreneurship Program

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs created the Center for Veteran Enterprise to support the entrepreneurial efforts of military personnel and their families. The Center for Veteran Enterprise (CVE) administers programs that assist veterans in starting a business by identifying them as a Veteran-Owned Business (VOB) or a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (SDVoB). Those who qualify can access government and private resources and benefits for small businesses. The US Small Business Administration also offers informational tools to assist veteran business owners.

The National Veterans Entrepreneurship Program provides intensive training and support for eligible disabled veteran business owners. The program combines self-study materials, an eight-day residency program, and five months of ongoing support. The program covers all costs for the Veteran-owned small business. This program is especially beneficial to veterans who have a service-connected disability or want to start a new business to gain financial independence.

Veterans First Contracting

Veteran-owned small businesses can take advantage of the Federal government’s Veterans First Contracting program by offering their services at discounted rates. Kingdomware Technologies is a small business certified by the Department of Veteran Affairs as a disabled veteran-owned business. The company submitted a bid for the project but was unsuccessful when the VA awarded the contract to a non-veteran-owned firm. As a result, Kingdomware filed a protest with the Government Accountability Office, which determined that the award was unlawful and recommended the VA cancel the contract.

The Supreme Court ruled in a recent case that the “rule of two” is mandatory and applies to all VA procurements and GSA Schedule orders. This ruling has implications for the procurement practices of many companies, tiny businesses, and veterans. The government must ensure that its contracting processes put veterans first and do business with SDVOSBs. But this ruling is not yet final. There is a way to resolve this conflict in the future.

Boots to Business

The SBA’s “Boots to Business” program provides small-business training to active-duty and retired military personnel. This program aims to combat the high unemployment rate among veterans. As of September 2017, the rate for veteran unemployment was nine percent, down nearly a full percent from the previous year. However, that figure is 1.6 percentage points higher than the average civilian unemployment rate. This free training program can give veterans the confidence they need to succeed in their new careers.

The SBA offers various programs for veterans. These programs are based on customized curriculums. Those interested in launching their business will learn the basics of small-business management, access to small-business loans, and other resources. Additionally, the SBA connects veteran-owned businesses with small-business leaders and mentors who can help them get their feet wet in the business world. The Boots to Business program helps military veterans get their start-up off to a great start.