A guide to business resources for veterans in New Mexico, including local programs, national organizations, and funding opportunities for veteran entrepreneurs and military spouses.
Starting or growing a business after military service comes with a particular set of challenges — and a particular set of strengths. The discipline, leadership, and resilience that come from service are real assets in business. What’s often harder to find is the right support: capital, training, networks, and people who understand where you’re coming from.
New Mexico has resources built specifically for veteran entrepreneurs, and there are national programs available to you too. Here’s where to start.
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“Whenever I hit a roadblock, I tell myself: This isn’t as hard as basic training. It’s not as hard as weapons school. It’s not as hard as spending 24 years in the military or graduating from the Air Force Academy.” Dave Jesurun, Air Force veteran and owner of High Country Air Service in Albuquerque, used a DreamSpring SBA loan to expand his commercial aviation business after the pandemic. Read his story. |
New Mexico Resources for Veteran Entrepreneurs
New Mexico APEX Accelerator
For veteran entrepreneurs interested in selling to the government, the New Mexico APEX Accelerator is the place to start. Funded by the Department of Defense and administered through NM State University, it helps small businesses navigate the government marketplace from local contracts to federal procurement. Advisors work one-on-one with business owners at no cost, helping them get contract-ready and competitive.
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🎖️Core offerings: free one-on-one counseling and procurement training, SAM registration and compliance guidance, proposal development and bid strategy, federal accounting and invoicing, and post-award contract management support. |
New Mexico Department of Veterans Services (NMDVS)
NMDVS is the state’s central hub for veteran support, and while it isn’t focused exclusively on entrepreneurship, it’s often the best first call for veterans trying to navigate available resources. Staff can connect you to the right programs, partners, and services across the state. NMDVS also runs the Women Veterans Program, which advocates specifically for women veterans’ access to benefits and services, a useful connection point for women veteran entrepreneurs.
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🎖️Core offerings: statewide program coordination, referrals to business and workforce services, the Women Veterans Program, outreach events, and updates on available resources. |
New Mexico Veterans Chamber of Commerce
Launched in November 2025, the New Mexico Veterans Chamber of Commerce is a new nonprofit dedicated to veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs through advocacy, mentorship, and connection. It’s still in its early stages, building leadership, membership, and programming, but it represents a growing voice for the roughly 13,000 veteran-owned small businesses in New Mexico.
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🎖️Core offerings: networking and partnership opportunities, advocacy for veteran entrepreneurs in local economies, and visibility for veteran-owned businesses. |
New Mexico Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC)
Funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the New Mexico VBOC is among the most comprehensive entrepreneurship resources available to veterans in the state. It serves veterans and transitioning service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and military spouses at any stage of business, from idea to growth.
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🎖️Core offerings: one-on-one business counseling, training workshops, business planning and market research support, growth strategy, industry research tools, and a statewide Veteran and Military Spouse Business Registry. |
New Mexico Veteran Owned Business Directory
A searchable directory where veteran entrepreneurs can list and promote their businesses to customers and partners who want to support veteran-owned companies. Free to join.
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🎖️Core offerings: free business listing, discoverability among veteran-supportive customers and buyers, and connection to a broader national network of veteran-owned enterprises. |
Women Veterans of New Mexico
A peer-led nonprofit serving women veterans across all branches and eras of service. For women veteran entrepreneurs, this community offers a trusted network, peer support, and connections to other women navigating both military transition and business ownership. Membership is free.
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🎖️Core offerings: a statewide peer network, events and programming for women veterans, leadership opportunities, and connection to benefits and support resources. |
National Organizations Available to New Mexico Veterans
Veteran Loan Fund (VLF)
The Veteran Loan Fund is a national network of CDFIs — including DreamSpring, a founding member since 2021 — that has collectively deployed more than $100 million in small business loans to veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs. The network recently launched the Veteran and Military Spouse Business Accelerator, a free eight-week program with weekly instruction, one-on-one coaching, and up to three years of follow-on technical assistance. Participants who complete the program are eligible for $3,000 to $5,000 in grants and access to up to $350,000 in loan capital.
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🎖️Core offerings: the Veteran and Military Spouse Business Accelerator, one-on-one business coaching, access to CDFI loan capital, grants for program completers, and an online assessment to match veterans with the right lender or partner. |
Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC)
The SBA funds a national network of Veterans Business Outreach Centers, of which the New Mexico VBOC (above) is one. If you’re based in New Mexico but operate or expand across state lines, or if you’re relocating, the national VBOC network gives you access to the same quality of support in most states.
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🎖️Core offerings: business counseling, training, and transition assistance for veterans, service-disabled veterans, National Guard and Reserve members, and military spouses, available through regional centers nationwide. |
Veteran Owned Business Directory
The national version of the NM directory above. If your business serves customers beyond New Mexico, a listing here extends your visibility to buyers and partners across the country who actively seek out veteran-owned companies.
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🎖️Core offerings: free national business listing, customer discoverability, and connection to a network of veteran-owned enterprises across the U.S. |
Building Your Business After Service
The skills you brought home from service are real business assets. DreamSpring is proud to work alongside veteran and military-connected entrepreneurs — we’ve loaned more than $35 million in veteran small business loans across New Mexico and beyond, reaching over 1,500 veteran-owned businesses, and we’d welcome the chance to work with yours. Explore what we have to offer at DreamSpring.org.
