VetsGoGlobal

Connecting Veterans to Global Markets

Every year, the U.S. Commercial Service (the trade promotion arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration) helps thousands of U.S. companies export goods and services worth billions of dollars. As part of our outreach, the VetsGoGlobal initiative can work with veteran-owned businesses like yours to identify and take advantage of export opportunities. Our global network is located throughout the United States and in U.S. Embassies and Consulates in more than 70 countries.

Why Export?

Over 90% of all consumers live outside the U.S. borders; foreign consumers hold 75% of global purchasing power.

Should I Export?

Veteran-owned businesses thrive at international business due to their effective decision-making, perseverance, sound ethics and compliance, and most of all having a global understanding.

How do I Start?

Developing an international business strategy can be labor-intensive for any company. Whether you are looking to make your first export sale or expand to additional markets we can help you jump-start your efforts through our trade counseling, business matchmaking, market intelligence, and commercial diplomacy.

VetsGoGlobal

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Minnesota Company Improves Website For International Success

ATEK Distribution is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Read ATEK Distribution Story

Veteran-Owned Company Expands Health Tech Worldwide

ShireWire Global Sales and Distribution is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) headquartered in Easthampton, Massachusetts.

Read ShireWire GS&D Story

Army Veteran Follows Own Marching Orders

Based in Atlanta, Rotorcorp is a supplier of replacement parts for Robinson-made helicopters. As an authorized Robinson company, Rotorcorp sources its parts from Robinson parts manufacturers in Indiana and Pennsylvania.

Read Rotorcorp Strory

Veteran-Owned Company Provides Life Saving Technology Around the Globe

SpecOps aimed for a global reach from the start. With help from the U.S. Commercial Service, they expanded internationally, building relationships with foreign representatives and enhancing their ability to provide aid in disaster areas.

Read SpecOps Story

Veteran-Owned Company Increases Exports to Allied Nations

Headquartered in Vine Grove, Kentucky, Universal Spartan is a service-disabled veteran-owned small business specializing in tactical, IT, electrical, industrial, and medical equipment for the federal government and the global defense industry.

Read Universal Spartan Story

Global Logistics Service Provider Supports U.S. Manufacturers Export

In 2024, R.L. Swearer was recognized with a President’s “E” Award for Export Service. The President’s “E” Award is the highest distinction for U.S. exporters and those who serve them and is a testament to the work R.L. Swearer has done to support U.S. manufacturers and exporters’ growth through increased international sales.

Read R.L. Swearer Story

Veteran-Owned Company’s Technology “Protecting those who Protect us” Globally

Founded in 2006 and based in Crofton, Maryland, IR Tools is a family and veteran-owned company that manufactures infrared identification products compatible with night vision and thermal imaging devices. Tom Boyer, CEO of IR Tools, started to explore expanding internationally and reached out to the U.S. Commercial Service in Baltimore, Maryland. To help develop an export strategy. IR Tools used the matchmaking resources of the U.S. Commercial Service to identify and meet vetted foreign partners at International Trade Shows. Additionally, IR Tools leverages the expertise of the commercial staff at the U.S. Embassies to evaluate the suitability of foreign firms to serve as their resellers. Today IR Tools serves customers in over 20 countries protecting those who protect us globally!
Read IR Tools’ Export Story

Contiem Rapidly Expands Global Footprint

Contiem, Inc. has fully integrated exporting into its corporate culture to establish itself as an international full-service content management company. Contiem used a wide range of U.S. Commercial Service export programs to help it achieve international success.

Read Contiem’s Story

Carroll International Pivots to Gain Market Diversity

As a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business, Carroll International has utilized U.S. government resources to create pathways to diversify its sales channels.

Read Carroll International’s Story

First Export Lands Veteran-Owned Company in Greece

By using CS counseling, export education, and overseas trade missions combined with the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) small business loan and grant programs, NVTS made its first export sale to the Greek Coast Guard in 2015.

Read NVTS’ Story

Cincinnati Crane & Hoist Sees Exports Rise

Cincinnati Crane & Hoist, a locally owned, veteran small business, is one of the fastest growing companies in the Cincinnati area. The firm is now expanding internationally with the help of the U.S. Commercial Service and other federal government resources.

Download Video: Cincinnati Crane Raises Its Global Sales

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The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) helps small business owners and entrepreneurs pursue the American dream. The mission of SBA’s Office of International Trade (OIT) is to enable small business expansion into the global economy. OIT helps businesses in three main ways:

Grants: The State Trade Expansion Program provides grants to small businesses though State trade offices to help business begin or expand exporting. Click on the link to find your State or Territory.
Counseling: A trade hotline and Fast Track Service for small businesses to discuss unique challenges with going global and identify potential resource solutions. To schedule a consultation, call 1-855-722-4877 or email international@sba.gov. Find more information on www.sba.gov/tradetools.
Loans: Access to capital to support global sales growth through a nationwide network of Export Finance Managers housed in U.S. Export Assistance Centers (USEACs) around the country. Click on the link to find the Center closest to you.

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The Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) program is designed to provide entrepreneurial development services such as business training, counseling and resource partner referrals to transitioning service members, veterans, National Guard & Reserve members and military spouses interested in starting or growing a small business. The SBA has 22 organizations participating in this cooperative agreement and serving as Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC).

For more information visit https://www.sba.gov/page/veterans-business-outreach-center-vboc-program

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The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) is the official export credit agency of the United States. EXIM is an independent Executive Branch agency with a mission of supporting American jobs by facilitating the export of U.S. goods and services.

When private sector lenders are unable or unwilling to provide financing, EXIM fills in the gap for American businesses by equipping them with the financing tools necessary to compete for global sales. In doing so, the agency levels the playing field for U.S. goods and services going up against foreign competition in overseas markets, so that American companies can create more good-paying American jobs.

Because it is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, EXIM assumes credit and country risks that the private sector is unable or unwilling to accept. The agency’s charter requires that all transactions it authorizes demonstrate a reasonable assurance of repayment; EXIM consistently maintains a low default rate, and closely monitors credit and other risks in its portfolio.

For more information visit EXIM.gov

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National Veteran Business Development Council (NVBDC) is the original veteran-owned business certification organization developed by veterans for veterans. The purpose is to provide a credible and reliable certifying authority for all-size businesses ensuring that valid documentation exists of Veteran ownership and control. Through various initiatives and partnerships, NVBDC plays a pivotal role in enhancing opportunities for veterans in the business world by opening a $122 Billion Supplier Diversity Marketplace, ensuring that their valuable contributions are recognized and valued. We are the only accepted Veteran Business Certification body by the members of the Billion Dollar Roundtable who have spent over $4.3 Billion with NVBDC Certified Veteran Owned Businesses in 2023.

The Veteran Institute for Procurement (VIP) offers an exclusive (no cost) training program for Veteran-owned small business owners or C-level executives. Since its establishment in 2009, VIP’s training approach has been grounded on exchanging real-world government contracting knowledge. Led by industry leaders and federal government experts, the in-person sessions deliver hands-on instruction tailored to current market demands across five (5) distinct curriculums. Each class covers over 20 critical topics during a comprehensive three-day, 27-hour classroom instruction period. The objective is straightforward: provide invaluable insights and strategies to empower Veteran entrepreneurs to thrive in every stage of their federal contracting journey. The VIP Program is more than just an educational opportunity - it’s a vibrant support community. Graduates have access to an extensive knowledge network of more than 2,300 alums. Additionally, they can engage with a forum of instructors and supporters who offer ongoing guidance and are crucial resources to support continued growth.

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Locations

Companies can find assistance locally in more than 100 U.S. Commercial Service offices nationwide and in more than 70 international offices.

U.S. Locations - U.S. Commercial Service

Find the U.S. office closest to your location.

Find U.S. Locations

International Locations - U.S. Embassies and Consulates

Find an international office or partner post website.

International Offices

Industry Teams

Find the latest market intelligence, trade events, and trade leads for your industry.

Industry Teams

Anthony Sargis, Senior International Trade Specialist
Anthony.Sargis@trade.gov

Brian Beams, Senior International Trade Specialist
U.S. Commercial Service
Brian.Beams@trade.gov

Global Business Navigator Chatbot ^Beta

Welcome to the Global Business Navigator, an artificial intelligence (AI) Chatbot from the International Trade Administration (ITA). This tool, currently in beta version testing, is designed to provide general information on the exporting process and the resources available to assist new and experienced U.S. exporters. The Chatbot, developed using Microsoft’s Azure AI services, is trained on ITA’s export-related content and aims to quickly get users the information they need. The Chatbot is intended to make the benefits of exporting more accessible by understanding non-expert language, idiomatic expressions, and foreign languages.

Limitations

As a beta product, the Chatbot is currently being tested and its responses may occasionally produce inaccurate or incomplete information. The Chatbot is trained to decline out of scope or inappropriate requests. The Chatbot’s knowledge is limited to the public information on the Export Solutions web pages of Trade.gov, which covers a wide range of topics on exporting. While it cannot provide responses specific to a company’s product or a specific foreign market, its reference pages will guide you to other relevant government resources and market research. Always double-check the Chatbot’s responses using the provided references or by visiting the Export Solutions web pages on Trade.gov. Do not use its responses as legal or professional advice. Inaccurate advice from the Chatbot would not be a defense to violating any export rules or regulations.

Privacy

The Chatbot does not collect information about users and does not use the contents of users’ chat history to learn new information. All feedback is anonymous. Please do not enter personally identifiable information (PII), sensitive, or proprietary information into the Chatbot. Your conversations will not be connected to other interactions or accounts with ITA. Conversations with the Chatbot may be reviewed to help ITA improve the tool and address harmful, illegal, or otherwise inappropriate questions.

Translation

The Chatbot supports a wide range of languages. Because the Chatbot is trained in English and responses are translated, you should verify the translation. For example, the Chatbot may have difficulty with acronyms, abbreviations, and nuances in a language other than English.

Privacy Program | Information Quality Guidelines | Accessibility

VetsGoGlobal

Connecting Veterans to Global Markets

Why Export?

Should I Export?

How do I Start?

VetsGoGlobal

Locations

Questions About the Program?

Global Business Navigator Chatbot Beta

Limitations

Privacy

Translation

Global Business Navigator Chatbot Beta

Limitations

Privacy

Translation

Global Business Navigator Chatbot ^Beta

Global Business Navigator Chatbot ^Beta