Veterans Business Outreach Center at Pathway Lending

Pathway Lending’s Veteran’s Business Outreach Center provides focused entrepreneurship training and counseling to transitioning service members, veterans, National Guard and Reserve members, and military spouses or survivors living in Tennessee and Kentucky.

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Next Level Brewing, Knoxville TN - Client since 2020

Veterans supported

$0MM+

Loans to Veteran-owned small businesses

0

Boots to Business Participants

0

Veteran Businesses opened

Training Events

Boots to Business

Request Free Business Counseling

Training Materials

What Is A Veteran's Business Outreach Center?

Pathway Lending's Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) is a specialized program designed to empower and support veterans, active-duty service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and military spouses in launching and growing successful businesses. Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the VBOC provides no-cost entrepreneurial development services tailored specifically to the unique needs of the military community.

Our Service Area

Outlines of states: Kentucky and Tennessee

The VBOC at Pathway Lending serves Veterans in Tennessee and Kentucky

Not in Tennessee or Kentucky? Find your local VBOC here.

Team at your service

Rob Corrigan

Director
Veterans Business Outreach Center
Pathway Lending

Jacque Collins

Advisor/Trainer
Veterans Business Outreach Center
Pathway Lending

Contact VBOC

Common Questions

The Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) is designed to provide entrepreneurial development services such as business training, counseling and mentoring, and referrals for eligible veterans owning or considering starting a small business. The SBA has 31 organizations participating in this cooperative agreement and serving as Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC). VBOCs conduct entrepreneurial development workshops dealing specifically with the common pitfalls of entrepreneurship and how to best mitigate risk through the entrepreneurial process.

If you are:
• U.S. military veteran
• Active duty members
• Guard & Reserves
• Spouses
• Survivors
• Resident of Tennessee and Kentucky

You can receive technical assistance from the VBOC at Pathway Lending. The Office of Veterans Business Development’s mission is to maximize the availability, applicability and usability of all administration small business programs for Veterans and their spouses. Therefore, if you are in another state, please consult the list of VBOC locations to determine which regional office to contact.

No. The Veterans Business Outreach Center provides technical assistance at no cost.

The Veterans Business Outreach Centers were created by U.S. Congress to enable men and women who have served in the Armed Forces to take full advantage of the opportunities presented by owning and operating their own business. Funding for the VBOC at Pathway Lending is provided by the Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Veterans Business Development (OVBD).
The OVBD was established to help Veterans become full partners in the economic development through small business ownership.

No. The VBOC is not a lending institution and therefore, does not lend money to small businesses. A veteran will have to obtain financing through a bank, other financial institution, or other means. Financing options will be discussed during consulting. This will include Small Business Administration loan guarantees and microloans.

Pathway Lending is a Community Development Financial Institution, and focuses their efforts on mission driven lending and entrepreneurial education. The VBOC fits within the realm of entrepreneurial education for VBOC Members. In addition, Pathway Lending also has a Women’s Business Center, and works closely with the VBOC, offering special rates and tuition discounts.

The VBOC will analyze what stage of business you are in. Your stage of business will determine the type of technical assistance provided. Different stages require different assistance, but all point towards developing or revisiting a viable and realistic business plan. We have a network built in our entrepreneurial ecosystem and will connect you to the right resource for your stage, or we assist you with the technical aspects of your business plan.

The United States Small Business Administration (SBA), established in 1953, provides technical, financial, and management assistance to help Americans start, run, and expand their businesses. With a portfolio of business loans, loan guarantees, and disaster loans, the SBA is the nation’s largest single financial backer of small businesses. The SBA does not give loans to start businesses; they only guarantee a percentage of the loan to the bank (if you qualify). You must first apply to a bank that provides SBA guarantees. To find SBA Lenders, click here.

VBOC Resources

Office of Veterans Business Development

Programs and services to assist aspiring and existing Veteran entrepreneurs.

Boots To Business

An overview of business ownership that is open to transitioning service members (including National Guard and Reserve.)

Boots To Business Reboot

An entrepreneurial training program designed for Veterans and their dependents that have transitioned back to civilian life.

Other Veterans Business Outreach Centers

If you are an active duty service member or veteran outside of Kentucky and Tennessee, please click through to find a VBOC serving your area.

The Veterans Business Outreach Center at Pathway Lending is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if at least two weeks in advance, call (615) 425-7171 to make arrangements.