Veteran-owned small businesses got a $2 million cash infusion in the form of a federal grant to a small business training program based in Montgomery County that helps retired United States military members launch businesses in their second acts and secure lucrative government contracts.
U.S. Sens. Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks visited a group of veteran small business owners Thursday evening in Potomac to officially award the funding to the Veteran Institute for Procurement (VIP) at their annual two-day training program. The senators secured the money as part of their fiscal year 2026 appropriations.
The VIP program was founded in 2009 in Montgomery County with a group of 50 participating veterans. It has since expanded to all 50 states and boasts more then 3,500 alums, according to Barbara Ashe, president of the Montgomery County Chamber Community Foundation, which operates VIP.
“We will be able to train more veterans, provide more resources to veteran-owned small businesses in Maryland and across the country,” said Ashe.
Montgomery County veterans who are graduates of the VIP small business program enjoy a photo opp with U.S. Sens. Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks. Photo credit: Markette Sheppard
Ashe and Van Hollen were involved in the creation of VIP 17 years go.
“And the idea at that time was to provide Montgomery County veteran-owned businesses with the tools and opportunity to succeed, to be able to navigate the process — the procurement process — the contract process and really to say to our veterans that ‘we appreciate you and we want to make sure that you are successful when you return from serving our country,’” said Van Hollen.
The VIP program had previously received a $2 million grant in 2023, which Ashe said helped them “cut a four-year long waiting list” for participants wanting to enter the program. Van Hollen said the U.S. Small Business Association has also provided $8 million in grants for the program since 2014.
“That speaks to the success of this program,” Van Hollen noted. “You’re not able to access that kind of money if you don’t have a winning argument and you don’t have graduates who are succeeding and how you can show that they’re succeeding.”
For Bethesda resident and Army veteran Deirdre L. Windsor, programs like VIP helped her translate military leadership skills into a successful business that has secured more than $90 million in contracts since she launched the Windsor Group 10 years ago.
“I used to jump out of planes for a living,” said Windsor, who retired as an Army Air Defense Officer. “Veterans know how to lead, solve problems and execute. Programs like VIP help bridge the gap between military service and business ownership.”
Windsor said veteran entrepreneurs often possess the discipline, adaptability and mission-focused mindset needed to succeed in business but that navigating federal procurement systems is the most challenging part.
“One thing about VIP is you meet a lot of other veteran-owned founders and business owners who you end up partnering with,” Windsor added.
And the extra money will help.
“This most recent round of funding will allow VIP to expand training opportunities, strengthen workforce development initiatives and provide additional resources for veteran entrepreneurs,” said Ashe.
Alsobrooks said veteran-owned businesses play a critical role in Maryland’s economy and job creation efforts.
“It’s no secret that here in Maryland, the federal … procurement [process] is a major part of our economy and since 2000, our state has consistently, if you don’t know, ranked in the top five among states in per capita federal procurement spending,” said Alsobrooks. “It’s also true that we have a strong population of veterans who call Maryland and Montgomery County home. But what’s more is that we’ve been included in a recent survey that found that Maryland is among the top 10 states in our country for veteran entrepreneurs — and so Maryland is doing it well.”
Graduates of the VIP program have secured more than $50 billion in prime federal contracts and $15 billion in subcontract awards, added Alsobrooks.
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