Testimonials

VIP is a program by veterans for veterans to equip veterans to win in the government contracting marketplace… If you really want to know what you’re doing when you get into business, and how specifically to grow and win a part of the $4 trillion worth of government business, sign up for VIP.

These successes are definitely the result of a team effort, including the very important role VIP played in helping the federal government exceed the SDVOSB goal. SBA is proud of its partnership with VIP and all the organization does for the Veteran entrepreneurial community. VIP is clearly making a difference.

The knowledge, networks, and ongoing support gained through VIP directly contributed to many of our company’s achievements, including being named SBA Maryland Veteran-Owned Company of the Year, NVSBC Veteran-Owned Company of the Year, and our recognition on both the Vet100 and the Inc. 5000 lists. These milestones are a testament to the program’s impact on veteran-owned businesses striving for excellence in the federal marketplace.

VIP is the most comprehensive program I have attended to date, geared to aid veteran small business owners grow their businesses. The core curriculum is extremely flexible with multiple sessions for an owner at any stage in the business’s growth cycle.  I found the program challenged my leadership skills, aided in professional development and was a resource on how to continue to scale in our ever-changing market.  I currently employ several metrics in my day-to-day operations.

The VIP START program delivered one of the most poignant and critical experiences I’ve ever had as a veteran entrepreneur. This program is truly a game-changer, equipping veterans with the knowledge, resources, and community needed to navigate federal procurement and government contracting.

I finally had the incredible opportunity to attend the VIP START Program—and every single moment was worth it. The experience was nothing short of transformative, equipping me with invaluable insights, connections, and a renewed sense of purpose. The impact of this program extends far beyond the sessions—it builds a lasting community of leaders, innovators, and changemakers.

I just completed my second Veteran Institute of Procurement (VIP) program and am once again blown away by the content, speakers, and collaboration! Since attending VIP GROW in 2018, my company has achieved a tenfold increase in revenue. That program provided me with the foundational strategies and insights necessary to scale effectively in the federal contracting space. Returning for VIP ADVANCE deepened my understanding of M&A strategies, teaming, accounting and other practical tools for strategic deal-making. The combination of expert-led sessions and peer collaboration has been instrumental in my continued success. For any veteran-owned business aiming to elevate their federal contracting game, the VIP programs are an invaluable resource - highly recommend!!

Fellow Veteran Entrepreneurs, when you are able to attend the VIP START Certification Program, don't walk, RUN! I am forever indebted to the scores of presenters and panel members who shared their candid, insightful, and wisdom-filled perspectives. Prior to the event, I approached RFP/RFI submission efforts like a sporadic ping-pong match. VIP START provided information that will guide my strategic development, save time and, I am confident, produce successful results! Thank you for providing world-class content, mentors, subject matter experts, post-program support (VIP Marketplace), and your vote of confidence for each of us!

I walked away after the three days of VIP GROW training with renewed energy and motivation to excel and do better. I will be relooking at our SOP and processes to maximize our resources so we can provide the best value to our customers.

The VIP GROW training program has been an invaluable experience, providing actionable insights and strategic guidance for scaling my company. The networking opportunities, mentorship, and deep dive into federal contracting have expanded my perspective on business growth and sustainability.

I now know how to find new business within the federal government and 'close the deal.' Before VIP, finding out this information was impossible, no matter what I tried to do. The VIP Program opens doors and unlocks secrets!

The VIP GROW program was one of the most informative, resourceful and remarkable procurement training that I’ve had the honor and opportunity to attend in years. I found the VIP program to be in the top 1% of government procurement trainings. I highly recommend that all veterans in the federal procurement business attend VIP. This program was invaluable to my procurement development and knowledge base, future growth and business success.

The VIP GROW training was magnificent. All classes were outstanding with creditable instructors who all spoke with conviction. It was a “Harvard MBA” in federal marketing and running a small business. No amount of money could have bought me the concise, expertly presented and real-world business knowledge I gained from VIP.

The VIP GROW program was a fantastic experience! The business training provided will be invaluable to the growth of our company. Training side-by-side with other company leaders, who were also military veterans, reminded me of the camaraderie and teamwork I experienced during my career in uniform. Truly a “must do” experience for any veteran who owns their own business.

Participating in each session was a powerful experience, allowing me to connect with fellow veteran business owners, share lessons learned, and build lasting friendships. Hearing from guest speakers representing successful companies provided valuable insights into their paths to success. Each session offered new perspectives and actionable knowledge, enriching the overall learning experience.“

It was energizing to reconnect with other Veteran business owners. There's an element among us that isn't as prevalent in a random group of entrepreneurs - possibly because of shared experience and training. I thought the makeup of the group/attendees was fabulous and diverse.

What I liked most about this program is the real-world lessons learned by other businesses. The breadth and depth covered in such a short timeframe is priceless and can't be learned from a book.

This program never disappoints. From the content, the subject matter expertise, the care in which everyone enters their contributions, and the organization of the program-it was beyond expectations. Thank you for the experience and thank you to the sponsors that helped make it happen. The level of expertise provided in this program must be unparallelled by any program that can offer similar content. Many of our businesses could not begin to explore this arena without this type of support and access to experts and information. For many of us, access would have been cost prohibitive as well.

VIP is an exceptional world-class program. The instructors and panelists possessed the relevant experience and knowledge in their areas. The program does an outstanding job of setting the environment for these veteran business leaders to interact and learn from each other as well. These interactions continue beyond the VIP classroom.

Veteran-owned small businesses have always been essential business partners in helping Lockheed Martin meet the evolving needs of our customers. We are delighted to support this program, to help veteran-owned businesses increase their federal aerospace revenue and learn what it takes to be competitive in this complex market.

I want to thank the Veteran Institute for Procurement for helping me achieve The Kentucky Veteran Small Business of the Year Award. I could not have done it without you and the VIP program.

Hands -down this is the best business training class designed specifically for veterans that I have ever taken.

The quality of the presenters is always extremely impressive. It is great to learn from business professionals who have been in my shoes before and come out the other side extremely successfully. The networking and ability to converse with cohort members is very valuable as well.

The recent VIP course I attended was hands down the best course I have ever attended, thank you for the opportunity to attend. The quality of the instructors, the course material and the facility were all topnotch. I may not become the next Catapult but you have certainly given me the tools to do it. I hope one day I will be in a position to pay it forward. Thanks.

The amount of information in the VIP Program is intense! In 3 days I was given 30 hours of training that was invaluable to my business. It gave me the knowledge to understand the complexity of Government Contracting and what I needed to do to successfully bid on jobs. It helped me to create relationships with other Veteran Owned Companies with different skills enabling all of us to work together to improve our companies.

Tell and I will forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I will learn. This is the latter.

At first it’s like drinking from a fire-hose! VIP offers so much good information and you just want to take it all in. The courses really focus on teaching organizations how to prioritize efforts, and VIP provides top subject matter experts to teach us how to do this most effectively.

I was told by my mentors, both graduates of the VIP program, that I had to attend this program. The information, the contacts, and students shared information freely which contributed to me winning my first government contract before the course ended. The best way to describe the VIP program is like going to school. I consider this course to be the Ph.D. of other courses. Why? The instructors and guest speakers are the owner, CEO, or director. So you are getting real information and not theory. They held nothing back in their response and they shared their contact information to keep the lines of communication open to build business relationships.

The Veteran Institute for Procurement is a phenomenal program that is a win-win for the federal government and prime contractors, and for the small veteran-owned businesses that it serves. Companies that participate in VIP emerge well-positioned for greater success in Federal contracting, and, ultimately, help to ensure that we have more qualified veteran-owned businesses competing for contract opportunities.