Patriot Express Initiative

Entrepreneurship can be the key to owning your future. The U.S. Small Business Administration and its resource partners have that covered with everything from counseling and training to loans, contracting and disaster recovery.

SBA’s Patriot Express Initiative has new and enhanced programs and services for veterans and members of the military community wanting to establish or expand small businesses. Eligible military community members include: 

• Veterans
• Service-disabled veterans
• Active-duty service members eligible for the military’s Transition Assistance Program
• Reservists and National Guard members
• Current spouses of any of the above
• The widowed spouse of a service member or veteran who died during service or of a service-connected disability

The new Patriot Express loan is offered by SBA’s network of participating lenders nationwide and features our fastest turnaround time for loan approvals. Loans are available up to $500,000 and qualify for SBA’s maximum guaranty of up to 85 percent for loans of $150,000 or less and up to 75 percent for loans over $150,000 up to $500,000. For loans above $350,000, lenders are required to take all available collateral.

The Patriot Express loan can be used for most business purposes, including startup, expansion, equipment purchases, working capital, inventory or business-occupied real estate purchases.

Patriot Express loans feature SBA’s lowest interest rates for business loans, generally 2.25 percent to 4.75 percent over prime depending upon the size and maturity of the loan. Your local SBA district office will have a listing of Patriot Express lenders in your area.

SBA has veterans business development officers in district offices in every state and territory able to provide military community members full access to the SBA’s range of programs and services. What’s more, there are five Veterans Business Outreach Centers located in:

• Albany, NY
• Pittsburgh, PA
• Lynn Haven, FL
• Edinburg, TX
• Sacramento, CA

Financing options to start or grow your business:

1. Managing the business
2. Expanding the business
3. Selling goods and services to the government