ALBUQUERQUE, NM — The Veteran Loan Fund (VLF) has launched the Veteran and Military Spouse Business Accelerator, a new program designed to expand access to capital, training, and business support for veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs across the country. VLF is a national network of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) advancing economic opportunity for military-connected entrepreneurs. DreamSpring, a founding member of VLF since 2021, is proud to participate and connect eligible entrepreneurs across its 27-state footprint with the program.
The Accelerator is a free, eight-week program combining weekly instruction, structured assignments, and one-on-one business coaching. Participants who complete all program requirements receive ongoing technical assistance for up to three years, access to up to $350,000 in loan capital, a grant of $3,000 to $5,000, and complimentary access to the Business Beyond Battlefield Conference at the National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas, in October 2026.
The program is supported by Truist Foundation, a longtime presence in the CDFI ecosystem. Truist Foundation's focus on strengthening small businesses and building pathways to economic mobility runs parallel to the work VLF members do every day.
"At Truist Foundation, we believe small businesses are powerful engines of economic mobility. And within our communities, veterans and military spouses bring extraordinary leadership, resilience, and ingenuity as they bring their entrepreneurial ideas to the table," says Lynette Bell, Head of Philanthropy and President of Truist Foundation.
Since launching in 2021, VFL member CDFIs have leveraged approximately $30 million raised by the fund to deploy more than $110 million in small business loans to over 1,500 veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs, supporting approximately 8,000 jobs nationwide. The Accelerator builds on that momentum, aiming to deploy an additional $15 million in loans and up to $1.5 million in grants to support approximately 300 veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs and help create or retain 1,500 jobs within the next year.
"Veterans and military spouses bring remarkable discipline and resourcefulness to everything they do, including building businesses," says Amber Kani, Chief Engagement Officer of DreamSpring. "The Accelerator pairs capital with hands-on coaching in a way that gives entrepreneurs a real shot at growth — and for the veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs in the communities we serve, that's an opportunity we're determined to help them take."
Veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs can learn more and apply at veteranloanfund.com.
About Veteran Loan Fund
The Veteran Loan Fund is a national effort of a growing number of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and specialized technical assistance partners dedicated to helping veterans and military spouses start and grow small businesses. Member CDFIs include Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (GA), Ascendus (NY), Appalachian Community Capital (VA), BBIF (FL), Business Impact Northwest (WA), Colorado Enterprise Fund (CO), DreamSpring (NM), Economic and Community Development Institute (OH), Justine Petersen (MO), Pathway Lending (TN), PeopleFund (TX), Pursuit (NJ), Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corporation (WI), and members of African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs. Learn more at veteranloanfund.com.
About DreamSpring
DreamSpring is a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) lender dedicated to propelling individual and family economic mobility and community wealth-building by helping people start and grow small businesses. Founded in 1994, the organization provides rapid access to capital and customized wrap-around support to entrepreneurs and nonprofits in 27 states. To date, DreamSpring has issued more than 50,000 loans totaling over $585 million to small businesses that support an estimated 68,000 jobs. Learn more at DreamSpring.org.
For media inquiries, contact:
Laura Marrich
DreamSpring Senior Communications Specialist
+1 505-456-0104
lmarrich@dreamspring.org