Transition Skills Training, an Austin-based nonprofit, will host VetBizWeek 2026, a virtual small business conference, from November 10 to 12, 2026, running daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Central Time. The event is designed for veterans, active-duty service members, military families, and first responders nationwide, and all sessions and resources are provided at no cost. Registration is available at https://vetbizweek.com.
The conference aims to help aspiring and existing business owners start, strengthen, and grow their businesses while navigating the challenges of ownership. CJ Niehoff, Executive Director of Transition Skills Training, explained the need for practical support: "Starting a business is often the easy part. It's navigating everything that comes afterward that can be really challenging. Business owners need more than information. They need practical tools, experienced people they can turn to, and a network of others who understand what they're managing day-to-day."
VetBizWeek offers expert-led sessions covering essential topics such as starting or rebuilding a business, small business funding options, artificial intelligence for beginners and advanced users, marketing and brand building, government procurement, business planning, and bookkeeping. The event features military-connected business owners and industry specialists, including Maria Duron of Grow With Google, Marc Boudria of Better Engineer, Vicky Valdez of LoneStar Foundation, procurement specialist Kayla S. Bey, and Joana Linares of Enumerista. Air Force veteran and entrepreneur Mike Johnson will share his journey on Day 3, focusing on resilience and reinvention.
Unlike traditional webinars, VetBizWeek emphasizes practical, actionable information with no sales presentations. Each topic includes a toolkit with templates, guides, and resources for post-conference use. Daily morning briefings highlight success stories, and afternoon Office Hours allow participants to connect with coaches and experts for personalized guidance. The interactive virtual environment enables networking through profiles, a virtual lobby, and private rooms. "One of the most powerful parts of our classes is the networking that happens between participants," Niehoff added. "People come for training, but they also find encouragement, new perspectives, potential collaborators, and people who can help them solve problems down the road."
On Veterans Day, November 11, the conference will feature a special presentation introducing the Legacy Project, a new online initiative to preserve stories of World War II veterans. Alex Freeman, a project founder and past participant, will present during the morning briefing.
The program is supported by a grant from the Texas Veterans Commission Fund for Veterans' Assistance. For more information, visit www.tvc.texas.gov. Transition Skills Training is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing practical education and entrepreneurial training to veterans, military families, and first responders. Learn more at https://transitionskillstraining.org.
This event matters because it offers free, accessible business education to underserved communities, helping veterans transition to civilian entrepreneurship and fostering economic independence. With flexible attendance and a focus on networking, VetBizWeek can create lasting impacts by equipping participants with tools and connections to thrive in business.
