The City of Chicago VBE certification can be awarded to small and local business that are owned and operated by veterans who have been generally or honorably discharged. To take advantage of City of Chicago veteran programs/incentives, veteran-owned businesses must be VBE certified by the City of Chicago.

Veteran Certification Requirement: Cook County certifies firms that are at least 51% owned and operated by veterans. Firms must be 1) a small business; 2) at least 51 percent owned, controlled, and managed by one or more Eligible Veterans; and, 3) has its home office in Illinois.

Veterans Business Program (VBP): VBP assists businesses owned by qualified service disabled and veteran-owned business gain access to State of Illinois contracting opportunities and participation in the competitive procurement process.

The Office of Veterans Business Development's mission is to maximize the availability, applicability and usability of all administration small business programs for Veterans, Service-Disabled Veterans, Reserve Component Members, and their Dependents or Survivors.

With a nod to military history, the Elite Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Network (SDVOB) Network was named in recognition of veterans who have been disabled in connection with their military service and seek to contribute to this country’s business enterprise.

RTW Veteran Center’s vision is to Remake the World (RTW) into a paradise, beginning with the community we are in and then spreading to other communities and neighborhoods. RTW Veteran Center’s mission is to connect and rally dedicated veterans and others in our community to provide basic services and support to the hungry, homeless, and veteran populations in the South Side of Chicago.

The Women’s Business Development Center’s Women Vetrepreneurship Program (WVP) in partnership with the Illinois Department of Veteran Affairs (IDVA) offers services and program for women veterans looking to launch a new business and grow their business for economic security and independence.

Bunker Labs – a 501(c)(3) non-profit – is a national network of veteran and milspouse entrepreneurs dedicated to helping the military connected community start their own business. We are committed to seeing that every entrepreneur in the military connected community has the network, tools, and resources they need to start their own business.

Our Mission is to Empower military Veterans to take control of their transition throughout life.”

We define empower as sharing information and building meaningful relationships to help take control of one’s transition throughout life and their overall well-being. The concept of empower consists of three core components – Camaraderie, Employment and Education.

Federal approved apprenticeship training programs come at no cost to the veteran. No prior experience required. The three to five year apprenticeship programs teaches you everything you need to work in a specialized skilled craft.

Because these are federally approved programs, you can use your Montgomery G.I. Bill benefits to supplement your income.