VLF Launches Second Cohort of Veteran Business Accelerator
News related to:Veteran Loan Fund · 2 min read
AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 30, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- The Veteran Loan Fund (VLF) has reached a significant milestone in its mission to provide capital and business coaching to Veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs. The fund has deployed more than $120 million nationwide, with its latest initiative launching its second cohort of the Veteran and MilSpouse Business Accelerator (VLF Accelerator).
The inaugural cohort of the VLF Accelerator, which began in 2021, graduated 37 entrepreneurs from five states. These graduates received more than $3.2 million in loan capital and $150,000 in grants from participating Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). Collectively, these businesses are projected to create or retain more than 120 jobs.
The eight-week accelerator program combines practical business education with access to capital and ongoing technical assistance. It is delivered through a collaborative effort involving the University of Texas at Arlington Veterans Business Outreach Center (UTAVBOC), the Veteran Women's Enterprise Center (VWEC), member CDFIs, and other specialized partners.
Ray Pennie, a Veteran and Chief of Business Advisory Services for Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs, a Georgia-based CDFI and member of VLF, highlighted the importance of the VLF Accelerator.
Graduates of the VLF Accelerator shared their experiences. U.S. Army Reserve veteran and owner of Winford Financial LLC, Chandra Lamonica Winford, from Georgia, emphasized the importance of setting aside dedicated time to focus on the growth and strategy of her business.
Robert Dobynes Jr., a Veteran taking over his family's 40-year-old optical practice in Missouri, highlighted the importance of having a partner who understood both the legacy and the stakes of his business.
Since 2021, VLF has brought together a network of CDFIs and specialized partners to provide affordable capital, tailored business coaching, and technical assistance, helping Veterans and military spouses build stronger, more sustainable businesses. As of June 30, 2026, VLF members had deployed more than $118 million in loan capital to 1,537 Veterans and military spouses, helping create or retain more than 8,350 jobs across the country.
The VLF Accelerator represents an expansion of this model by connecting entrepreneurs with a coordinated curriculum while preserving the local relationships and individualized support provided by participating CDFIs. Applications for the second national cohort will open on October 7, 2026, with space limited and veterans and military spouses encouraged to visit www.veteranloanfund.com to learn more and connect with a participating CDFI.