National Veterans Small Business Week 2026: Fueling American Manufacturing Through Capital, Growth, and Grit
From Nov. 9–13, 2026, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will celebrate National Veterans Small Business Week (NVSBW). This year’s theme, “Honoring Veteran-Owned, American Made,” highlights the excellence…
From Nov. 9–13, 2026, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will celebrate National Veterans Small Business Week (NVSBW). This year’s theme, “Honoring Veteran-Owned, American Made,” highlights the excellence, quality, and strength that define veteran entrepreneurs across all industries, especially those in manufacturing, technology, and the supply chains that keep America strong.
NVSBW is an opportunity for the SBA and its partners to unite in recognizing and supporting the nation’s military-connected entrepreneurs. America’s more than 1.8 million veteran-owned small businesses generate $1.3 trillion in annual sales, contribute $258 billion in payroll, and employ approximately four million workers, demonstrating that the leadership, discipline, and mission focus developed in uniform continue to strengthen communities and power the American economy.
Military Leadership Meets the Manufacturing Floor
When you look at the engine powering American industry, you will find small businesses at its core. Small manufacturers account for 98 percent of all manufacturing firms in the United States, and they play a central role in producing the goods, technologies, and components that strengthen domestic supply chains and sustain communities nationwide.
Across shop floors, technology labs, and distribution hubs, a transformation is underway. Veteran entrepreneurs are at the forefront, turning military precision into industrial excellence. The transition from military service to modern manufacturing is a natural fit. In uniform, servicemembers master complex equipment, navigate tight supply chains, solve challenges under pressure, and lead teams through high-stakes missions. When those same skills are applied to commercial production, engineering, logistics, and technology, veteran-led businesses bring a culture of quality, discipline, innovation, and mission-first problem-solving to American industry.
Veterans also have an important opportunity to contribute to the defense industrial base, the network of companies that develops, produces, repairs, supplies, and innovates for America’s warfighters. Veteran-owned manufacturers, suppliers, technology firms, and contractors can help expand domestic production capacity, diversify supply chains, develop defense-critical capabilities, and compete for procurement and subcontracting opportunities.
Building the Arsenal of Freedom
In August, the SBA and Department of War established the Smaller War Plants Commission, a historic initiative to strengthen the defense industrial base by coordinating federal resources for small-business suppliers. Small businesses comprise more than 70 percent of the defense industrial base, and their ability to innovate, scale, and deliver is essential to national security.
The Commission will help small firms expand production capacity, identify supply-chain and capability gaps, accelerate innovation, reduce burdensome regulations, and connect businesses with targeted capital, lending, investment, contracting, and technical-assistance resources. Its work will prioritize defense-critical areas including munitions and components, drones and one-way attack systems, microelectronics, strategic and critical minerals, shipbuilding and repair components, sensors, batteries, castings and forgings, and textiles.
For veteran entrepreneurs, this effort represents an opportunity to continue serving the nation by helping build the Arsenal of Freedom. Under Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s initiative, America must be able to outproduce, out-innovate, and outlast its adversaries. Veteran business owners can help meet that mission by bringing their expertise, commitment to quality, and firsthand understanding of military readiness to the companies that will shape America’s industrial future.
The SBA is also helping manufacturers access the capital needed to grow. Eligible firms can use the Made in America Loan Guarantee, which provides a 90 percent federal guarantee through the International Trade Loan Program to support reshoring, equipment modernization, inventory, acquisitions, and domestic capacity expansion. The agency also launched Manufacturers’ Access to Revolving Credit, or MARC, its first loan program dedicated to expanding working-capital access for small manufacturers.
Honoring Veteran-Owned, American Made
Many veterans embark on a new mission when they enter entrepreneurship and carry forward the values they honed during service. The SBA is proud to provide resources and assistance to veteran business owners, helping them turn leadership and resilience into successful, sustainable businesses that spark innovation, create jobs, and strengthen communities.
“American-made” is not just a label, it is a commitment to quality, patriotism, resilience, and national strength. During NVSBW, we acknowledge the veterans who continue to serve their nation through innovation, leadership, and entrepreneurship, while encouraging the next generation of veteran-owned businesses to help rebuild American manufacturing and contribute to a stronger, more secure industrial base.
Learn more about NVSBW. You can also join the conversation on social media using #NVSBW26 or discover NVSBW events near you. This blog was originally written by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Veterans Business Development (OVBD). To learn more about OVBD and its offerings, visit sba.gov/veterans.
