Become a certified veteran-owned small business and gain access to federal and state funding to help you grow.

We guarantee to get your business certified as a VOSB or SDVOSB with the federal government or your money back.

The federal government awarded 550,000 contracts worth $147 billion last year to veteran-owned small businesses, so being recognised and certified is paramount.

Starting a business can be daunting and while there are a number of revenue channels and support resources available to veteran-owned businesses it can be a challenge to identify exactly which opportunities are out there. Without the applicable certifications, a business will limit its ability to win certain bids and reduce its visibility in acquiring funds set aside specifically for veteran-owned businesses.

Become a certified veteran-owned small business with Squared Compass as your trusted advisor and make the most of the funding and support available to you now.

Get in touch

The path to becoming certified is easy with Squared Compass

Squared Compass is veteran founded and has assisted veteran owned companies in obtaining the applicable certifications since 2021. Our mission is to help you navigate the available channels and be your trusted advisors on the journey to becoming a successful business owner.

These certifications will grant businesses access to millions of dollars of federal spending set aside exclusively for Veteran certified entities

5% of exclusive access to annual federal contracts

Additional contracts and financing reserved in the private sector

Bidding preferences for open-bid contracts

Increased visibility and marketability

Decreased competitive landscape

Start your journey

Increased revenue and growth potential

Squared Compass helps identify for which certifications your business qualifies, informs you of other available opportunities, guides you through the process, and sets you up for growth.

Squared Compass veterans certification service helps veteran owned-companies gain access to the $147 billion worth of annual federal and state contracts, position themselves to win open bid contracts, increase revenue, growth and marketability all through a simple and hands off approach.

Benefits

Free consultation and business assessment.

Bespoke certification plan developed to give the business owner the best opportunity for growth.

A hands-off approach for the business owner. We handle the typically lengthy and cumbersome application process.

Direct access to a trusted advisor both during the application process and in future business development and guidance.

“As a past senior government official who led part of a Presidential Major Initiative, I am excited to offer my expertise and that of our team in an area that means a lot to me.”

  • Josh Lawton - Managing Partner at Squared Compass

  • "Loved working with the Squared Compass team, they did everything and got us SDVOSB certified. Two months later we won our first big contract with the VA."

    Jeremy Lowell | Managing Director | The KYO Group

  • "I have gained so much from the time I have spent with Josh and his team. His wealth of knowledge, kind and open nature, and ability to point me in the right direction at every turn has been invaluable."

    Esther Bertram | CMO | Mini Maestros

  • "Josh is one of the best people I've worked with throughout my career."

    Chad Burgess | Co-Founder and General Partner | Quake Capital

  • "Josh is an excellent mentor and a decent human being, both being scarce in the world of startups and entrepreneurship. I learned a great deal from him without even realizing it. He is as good of a teacher as the best professors I have had as colleagues."

    Dr. David Koepsell | CEO | EncrypGen

  • "Josh is a wealth of knowledge in many areas and has been a first-rate mentor but I think most importantly he's got the positive attitude and willingness to help that gets the job done."

    Derrick Dorner | CEO | Roosted

To work with Squared Compass, companies must meet the following qualifications:

The business must be 51% owned and controlled by a U.S. military veteran

A veteran must hold the highest officer position and receive the highest compensation in the company

The business must be appropriately licensed by the federal and state government

The veteran has no federal debts or obligations outstanding

Squared Compass is on a mission to help the veteran-owned business community realize their potential and position themselves for growth and success.

At Squared Compass we believe that the veteran-owned business community is one of the best and underutilized communities in the nation. With a team of practitioners in the start-up, business development, and federal and state contracting arenas Squared Compass has the tools and expertise to help other veterans achieve their business goals.

Squared Compass’ team members have helped businesses win millions of dollars on federal and state contracts and grants. Get in touch with our team today to start your journey to success.

Get in touch

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The SBA veteran-owned business certification is an official designation for companies owned and controlled by U.S. military veterans. It confirms that the business meets eligibility requirements and allows it to compete for contracts set aside specifically for Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSBs) and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs). As of January 2023, SBA took over responsibility for VOSB/SDVOSB certifications from the VA, and firms must apply through SBA’s certify.sba.gov portal.

  • Certification lasts three years from the date of approval, provided the business continues to meet eligibility criteria. Companies must maintain ownership and control by veterans (or service-disabled veterans) throughout that period. SBA requires a recertification at the end of three years to remain active in the program.

  • To qualify, a firm must:

    • Be a small business under SBA size standards.

    • Be at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more veterans.

    • Have veterans in charge of day-to-day management and long-term decisions.
      For SDVOSBs, at least one qualifying veteran must have a documented service-connected disability as verified by the VA.

  • Applications are submitted through the SBA’s online portal (certify.sba.gov). You’ll need to create an account, link your SAM.gov registration, and upload required documentation such as proof of veteran status (DD214), business ownership records, governing documents, and disability proof for SDVOSBs. SBA reviews each application and may request additional information before issuing a decision.

  • Certified businesses gain access to federal contract opportunities set aside specifically for veteran-owned firms, including sole-source awards when applicable. The Department of Veterans Affairs is required to prioritize contracting with VOSBs and SDVOSBs through the “Veterans First” program. Beyond contracts, certification enhances credibility, increases visibility in SBA’s searchable database, and strengthens a firm’s positioning when teaming with primes.

  • Applicants must typically provide:

    • DD214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to prove veteran status.

    • VA disability rating letter (for SDVOSBs).

    • Business ownership documentation (articles of incorporation, operating agreements, stock certificates).

    • Personal and business tax returns.

    • Evidence of control (resumes of veteran owners, board minutes, or management agreements).

  • Both designations recognize veteran-owned businesses, but SDVOSB certification specifically requires that at least 51% of the company is owned and controlled by one or more veterans with a service-connected disability. Federal agencies set aside billions in contracts annually for SDVOSBs, while VOSB certification opens opportunities in VA contracting and helps firms gain credibility in other markets.

  • Veterans do not get separate SBA loan programs, but they may receive more favorable terms. For example, SBA has waived upfront guarantee fees on certain 7(a) loans under programs like Veterans Advantage. Veterans may also access financing tools like the Patriot Express Loan (historically offered) and still benefit from lender outreach and reduced fees on select loans today.

  • Certified firms appear in SBA’s Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) and in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) with a VOSB or SDVOSB designation. This makes it easy for contracting officers and large prime contractors to confirm a business’s status when evaluating teaming or subcontracting opportunities.

  • The SBA generally takes about 90 days to process a complete VOSB or SDVOSB application. Incomplete documentation, missing proof of veteran status, or control/ownership concerns can extend the review timeline. The best way to ensure a smoother process is to prepare required documents—such as DD214 forms, disability rating letters (for SDVOSB), operating agreements, and tax returns—before submitting.

  • The SBA Veterans Advantage Program provides fee relief on SBA-guaranteed loans (such as 7(a) loans) for eligible veterans, active-duty service members transitioning to civilian life, reservists, National Guard members, and their spouses. It was designed to reduce barriers for veterans seeking capital and is one of SBA’s ongoing initiatives to support military-connected entrepreneurs.

  • Yes. If ownership or control shifts away from veterans (e.g., dropping below 51%), if the business outgrows SBA’s small business size standards, or if SBA determines that eligibility requirements are no longer met, the certification can be revoked. SBA also requires recertification every three years, so firms must be proactive in maintaining compliance and updating records.