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Some 2.5 million military veterans in the U.S. own businesses, according to the Small Business Administration. Are you a veteran who owns a business or hopes to start one in the near future?

Here are some resources to help vets get started on their journey.

Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs) are one-stop-shops for veterans, service members transitioning out of the military, and military spouses who want to launch, buy or grow their businesses. There are VBOCs across the country providing business training, counseling and mentoring services.

VBOCs also offer two programs, Boots to Business and Boots to Business Reboot, to help transitioning service members and veterans of all eras learn more about entrepreneurship, explore the feasibility of their business ideas, write a business plan and gain a foundation in business concepts. The programs also introduce participants to a wide range of SBA resources to help them find start up capital, get technical assistance and identify contracting opportunities. Find the VBOC near you.

The Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) has a Veteran Entrepreneur Portal (VEP) to help veterans learn more about starting a business, access federal government services to help, and learn best practices. This (VA) resource assists businesses in accessing federal services and connecting to relevant “best practices” and information.

Are you a female military veteran or a female spouse of an active service member or veteran? Then check out V-WISE, an entrepreneurship training program that helps women veterans and military spouses find their entrepreneurial passion and gain the skills to successfully start and grow their businesses. The program includes an online training course and intensive three-day training event, as well as ongoing mentorship and support.

Compete for Government Contracts

Government contracting is a huge area of opportunity for veteran-owned businesses. The federal government has special set-asides for veteran-owned small businesses (VOSBs) and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSBs).

If you want to be eligible for special opportunities to do business with the federal government, start by getting your business verified through the

Vets First Verification Program. Verified businesses can get priority in competing for federal government contracts. For example, the Veterans Administration gives SDVOSBs the highest priority as small business contractors for the VA.  Look for  VA-certified business counselors in your state who can help you with the Vets First verification process and more.

The OSDBU has a wide range of resources and information to help veteran-owned businesses compete for government contracts. Eligible SDVOSBs can also apply for the  SBA’s Mentor/Protégé program to get help finding, competing for and fulfilling government contracts.

Once you are ready to put your business out there in the government contracting world, attending networking events and conferences for veteran business owners can help. The VA’s National Veteran Small Business Engagement (NVSBE), held in St. Louis, Missouri, December 5-7 this year, is the largest procurement event for veteran business owners. Attendees have the opportunity to meet with procurement officials from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), other federal agencies, state governments and private-sector firms with procurement needs.

The Disabled Veteran Business Alliance also hosts a range of events where SDVOSBs can network with government contracting officials and access business matchmaking opportunities.

With so many resources out there for veterans and transitioning military members, it can be a bit overwhelming to know where to start. That’s where SCORE can help. Get matched with a SCORE mentor online or to find your closest SCORE office, where you can get free, personalized help making your business goals come true.