Veteran Institute for Procurement

What Veteran Institute for Procurement does

Veteran Institute for Procurement (VIP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit training program established in 2009 and operated by the Montgomery County Chamber Community Foundation (MCCCF), headquartered in Rockville, Maryland. VIP delivers six specialized 27-hour in-person certification programs over three days — START, GROW, ADVANCE, INTERNATIONAL, AEROSPACE, and CORPORATE — to Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSBs) and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs) seeking to compete in federal, commercial, and international contracting markets. The curriculum is delivered by more than 250 volunteer instructors drawn from government and industry and has been designated by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as the official federal contracting training resource for VOSBs. Since 2009, VIP has trained over 3,500 Veteran-owned companies across all 50 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, and Guam, with graduates reporting over $50 billion in cumulative federal prime contract awards since 2010.

VIP's core non-training technology asset is the VIP Marketplace (marketplace.nationalvip.org), a searchable database connecting 1,400+ graduate companies with prime contractors and federal agencies for capability-to-requirement matching. Programs are provided at no cost to eligible Veteran-owned businesses (meals, training, and hotel are fully covered), and the organization is funded through SBA grants, State of Maryland public-private partnership funding, corporate sponsorships (Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, Dell, PNC, Bank of America, LiveOak Bank, Unanet, and others at tiers ranging from $3,000 to $25,000), Marketplace Sponsorships for prime contractors, and an annual golf tournament fundraiser. VIP operates a nine-member core staff supplemented by its volunteer instructor network and revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Revenue mechanics are donation- and grant-driven rather than transactional: VIP Marketplace Sponsorships from prime contractors and the paid annual corporate sponsor program (with associated recognition benefits) are the only quasi-recurring revenue streams. Customer acquisition is essentially zero-cost to VIP because SBA, VA OSDBU, Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs), and prime contractor diversity programs refer applicants directly. The operating model is community-driven, with 80% of graduates reporting that VIP changed the way they do business and 180% average growth within two years of program completion.

Name

Veteran Institute for Procurement

Legal name

Montgomery County Chamber Community Foundation

Website

https://nationalvip.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Veteran Institute for Procurement (VIP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free, expert-led federal contracting training to Veteran-Owned Small Businesses across six specialized programs, connecting graduates with prime contractors and government agencies through its VIP Marketplace platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Procurement Training

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Technical & Digital Skills Training (BPACANAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Professional & Applied Skills Noncredit Certificates (Non-licensure) (EDAAAEAD), Corporate Training Course Marketplaces (B2B Content Libraries) (EDAFAIAH)

Keywords

• Veteran business training
• Federal procurement training
• Government contracting education
• Small business certification
• Procurement marketplace

Headquarters

HQ city

Rockville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. SBA Grant Funding: Funded in part through a grant with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). This is the primary public funding source supporting VIP's training delivery at no cost to participants.
2. Corporate Sponsorship: VIP receives funding from corporate sponsors at various tiers (Homefront Hero: $25,000; Stars and Stripes: $10,000; Patriot: $5,000; Veteran Champion: $3,000; VIP Marketplace Sponsor: $5,000). Sponsors receive recognition benefits including logo placement, press release templates, and social media posts.
3. Golf Tournament Fundraiser: The annual VIP Golf Tournament is the organization's single primary fundraiser, raising vital funds so that VOSB/SDVOSBs can attend training at no cost.
4. State of Maryland Funding: Funded through public-private partnerships with the State of Maryland in addition to SBA grant and corporate sponsorship.
5. Marketplace Sponsorship (Primes Only): Prime contractors and government agencies can access the VIP Marketplace through annual Marketplace Sponsorships, which fund the platform connecting them with VIP graduate companies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

VIP provides free, market-based, in-person federal procurement training to Veteran-owned small businesses (VOSBs) and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs) through six specialized curricula (START, GROW, ADVANCE, INTERNATIONAL, AEROSPACE, CORPORATE), each delivering 27 hours of expert-led instruction over 3 days. Graduates gain lifelong access to the VIP Marketplace matchmaking platform connecting them with prime contractors and government agencies, plus continuing education webinars on topics such as CMMC, GSA, and proposal writing.

Product overview

The Veteran Institute for Procurement (VIP) offers a comprehensive suite of six specialized training programs designed for Veteran-owned small businesses at different stages of growth: VIP START (entry-level federal contracting), VIP GROW (contract winning and maintenance), VIP ADVANCE (sustained growth), VIP INTERNATIONAL (overseas expansion), VIP AEROSPACE (aerospace sector success), and VIP CORPORATE (commercial sector entry). These are supported by the VIP Marketplace platform connecting graduates with prime contractors and government agencies, plus continuing education webinars. All programs provide market-based, expert-led instruction with no cost to Veterans. The training focuses specifically on federal and corporate procurement opportunities, helping Veteran entrepreneurs compete for government and private-sector contracts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VIP START: Program for Veteran-owned small businesses looking to enter or expand in the federal market.
• VIP GROW
• VIP ADVANCE
• VIP INTERNATIONAL
• VIP AEROSPACE
• VIP CORPORATE
• VIP Marketplace

Products and services

• VIP START Entry-level 27-hour in-person training program over 3 days for Veteran-owned small businesses looking to enter or expand in the federal market. Covers foundational federal contracting concepts, SAM.gov registration, business development, and government buyer engagement. Requires one year in business, generated revenue, a full-time owner, a live website, and active SAM.gov registration. Provided at no cost to eligible participants, including meals, training, and hotel.
• VIP GROW 27-hour in-person training program over 3 days for procurement-ready Veteran-owned small businesses seeking to win and maintain federal contracts. Requires two years in business and active SAM.gov registration. Provided at no cost to eligible participants, including meals, training, and hotel.
• VIP ADVANCE 27-hour in-person training program over 3 days for Veteran entrepreneurs interested in sustained growth. Requires five years in business, $10M+ annual revenue, and prime contractor experience. Provided at no cost to eligible participants, including meals, training, and hotel.
• VIP INTERNATIONAL 27-hour in-person training program over 3 days for Veteran-owned small businesses considering entering or expanding overseas. Covers federal government, commercial, foreign government, and multilateral development bank opportunities; export regulations including EAR and ITAR; and international contracting negotiations. Provided at no cost to eligible participants, including meals, training, and hotel.
• VIP AEROSPACE 27-hour in-person training program over 3 days for Veteran-owned small businesses pursuing the federal aerospace market. Covers aerospace certifications, vendor portals, security clearances, and SBIR/STTR/OTA processes. Requires four years in business, three full-time employees, and federal contracting experience. Provided at no cost to eligible participants, including meals, training, and hotel.
• VIP CORPORATE 27-hour in-person training program over 3 days for Veteran-owned small businesses targeting the commercial/private sector contracting market. Includes a full-day NaVOBA-powered forum for direct networking with Fortune 1000 corporate procurement teams. Requires three years in business and $3M+ annual revenue. Provided at no cost to eligible participants, including meals, training, and hotel (with a $1,000 cancellation fee for non-attendance).
• VIP Marketplace Searchable online database platform for matching graduate company capabilities to procurement requirements. Connects 1,400+ VIP graduate companies with prime contractors and government agencies. Prime representatives can post procurement needs and search using custom filters, view capability statements, and save search criteria; graduates can customize search results, receive opportunity email alerts, and find teaming partners. Federal acquisition personnel and small business offices access at no cost; prime contractors access via annual Marketplace Sponsorships.
• VIP Continuing Education Webinars Ongoing webinar-based education program for VIP graduates covering topics including CMMC compliance, GSA schedules, proposal writing, accounting, policy, legal matters, AI in federal procurement, and fireside chats with government agency OSDBU directors. Provided to graduates at no cost.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $50 billion in federal prime contract awards to VIP Graduates since 2010
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• International Trade Administration (ITA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 January 2024ITA, a U.S. Department of Commerce agency, partnered with VIP in January 2024 to increase global competitiveness for Service-Disabled and Veteran-Owned Businesses. The partnership promotes ITA's VetsGoGlobal program alongside VIP's no-cost training programs, combining federal contracting expertise with international trade resources for Veteran entrepreneurs.
• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSBA provides grant funding to VIP and designates it as an Official SBA Federal Contracting Training Resource. SBA's OVBD (Office of Veterans Business Development), led by Larry Stubblefield, oversees VIP's alignment with SBA programs including the 8(a), HUBZone, and VetCert certification programs.
• Lockheed Martin CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLockheed Martin is a founding and continuing corporate sponsor of VIP and partnered with VIP to develop and launch the VIP AEROSPACE program. The partnership facilitates a pathway for VIP Grads to enter the aerospace market. VIP graduates can participate in weekly aeronautic webinars hosted by Lockheed Martin to showcase their abilities for open contracting opportunities. Lockheed Martin supplier diversity team actively engages with VIP.
• NaVOBA (National Veteran-Owned Business Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNaVOBA is VIP's partner for the VIP CORPORATE program, providing the full-day forum component of the training that offers networking opportunities with Fortune 1000 corporations. NaVOBA's VBE/SDVBE certifications mirror MBE and WBE certifications.
• State of Maryland / Maryland Department of CommercemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaryland Department of Commerce is a Sustaining Partner of VIP, providing funding through public-private partnerships as part of the organization's mission to support Veteran entrepreneurship in Maryland.
• Montgomery County Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVIP is powered by the Montgomery County Chamber Community Foundation (MCCCF), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. MCCC provides organizational infrastructure, governance, and program support. MCCCF's Board of Directors oversees VIP's strategic direction.
• International Trade Administration (ITA) - VetsGoGlobalmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerITA's VetsGoGlobal is a Veteran-led initiative of the U.S. Department of Commerce focused on educating and informing U.S. Veteran-owned businesses on the export process and international business opportunities. VIP INTERNATIONAL promotes VetsGoGlobal as a key resource for graduates pursuing international markets.
• Bank of AmericaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBank of America is listed as a Partner of VIP, providing support for Veteran-owned small business programs.
• Continuing to Serve FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Continuing to Serve Foundation aims to provide Veteran entrepreneurs with the tools they need to start and grow their businesses through a network of partners.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Bunker Labs: Bunker Labs is a national nonprofit dedicated to helping Veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs launch and grow businesses through cohort-based programs, workshops, and a national network. Like VIP, it provides free training and a community for Veteran entrepreneurs, but focuses on general business/startup skills rather than federal procurement specialization — making it a direct peer in the Veteran entrepreneur training category.
• Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs): PTACs are DoD-funded centers providing no-cost government contracting assistance to businesses, including training, bid matching, and proposal support. They directly overlap with VIP's federal procurement training mission and serve a similar VOSB-eligible audience, but are geographically distributed and federally administered rather than concentrated in Maryland.
• Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University: IVMF is a university-based research and program center providing entrepreneurship education and training programs for Veterans and military families, including the EBV (Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans) program. It directly overlaps with VIP's Veteran entrepreneur training mission, has similar SBA/government backing, and offers cohort-based programming.
• National Veteran Small Business Coalition (NVSBC): NVSBC is a nonprofit organization that advocates for Veteran-owned small businesses in federal contracting, including training, networking events, and policy advocacy. Like VIP, it focuses on federal procurement access for VOSBs and is referenced in VIP's own graduate recognition (Dobbs Defense Solutions won NVSBC's Veteran-Owned Company of the Year) — making it a direct peer.

Broad incumbents

• America's SBDC (Small Business Development Centers): The SBDC network is an SBA-funded national system providing free business consulting, training, and government contracting assistance to all small businesses. SBDCs offer federal contracting training that overlaps directly with VIP's curriculum, but serve all entrepreneurs rather than specializing in Veterans, and operate as a broader government-funded incumbent.
• Boots to Business (SBA Program): Boots to Business is an SBA-administered entrepreneurship training program for transitioning service members, delivered in partnership with the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF). It is directly sponsored by VIP's own primary funder (SBA) and overlaps with VIP's Veteran entrepreneur training mission at the entry-level stage.
• SCORE Association: SCORE is a national nonprofit network providing free mentoring, workshops, and training to small businesses, with significant federal funding and a similar in-person + virtual delivery model. It overlaps with VIP's mission of business training but serves all small businesses rather than specializing in Veteran-owned federal contracting — making it a broad incumbent in the small business training space.

Emerging players

• VetBiz / StreetShares Foundation: VetBiz (associated with StreetShares) connects Veteran-owned small businesses with resources including training, networking, and access to capital. It overlaps with VIP's VOSB focus and community-building mission but operates more in the capital/funding access space rather than direct federal procurement training.
• Service2CEO: Service2CEO is a Veteran-focused entrepreneurship training organization providing education and mentorship for transitioning service members and Veteran entrepreneurs. It overlaps with VIP's VOSB training mission but is more focused on general business launch rather than federal procurement specialization.

Others

• National Association of Veteran-Serving Organizations (NAVSO): NAVSO is an alliance of Veteran-serving organizations working to strengthen the VOSB ecosystem through collaboration and policy advocacy. It is a thematic peer rather than direct competitor — operating as an ecosystem convener that includes VIP-aligned organizations and may indirectly compete for sponsorship and member attention.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@NationalVIP
• Facebookfacebook.com/winningvets
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/veteran-institute-for-procurement
• Xx.com/winningvets

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Veteran Institute for Procurement