SoCal VBOC

SoCal VBOC Helping to start or grow veteran-owned businesses in Southern California! Services include workshops and one on one consulting at no cost to the veteran.

The Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) Program opened in 2016 and is funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Veteran Business Development and is directed by the Small Business Act (Title 15 U.S.C. sec 637 (b)) to participate in the Defense Department’s Transition Assistance Program (TAP). The SoCal VBOC coordinates and facilitates the Boots to Business program held at Ca

mp Pendleton, Naval Station San Diego and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar military bases. These programs are taught by staff members of SoCal VBOC and the SBA District Offices along with staff from SBA Resource Partners (SDBC, SCORE, WBC). The SoCal VBOC serves transitioning service members, Guard, Reserve, Veterans of all eras and military-connected family members in San Diego and Imperial Counties. There are 28 VBOCs around the country, with three locations in California – NorCal VBOC in Sacramento, Los Angeles VBOC in Long Beach, and SoCal in Cardiff, California.

Today, we remember and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. Their courage, dedication, ...
05/25/2026

Today, we remember and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. Their courage, dedication, and selflessness will never be forgotten.

05/10/2026

The energy was unmatched at our first-ever Networking Event!

A massive thank you to everyone who joined us at to connect, share stories, and grow together. It was incredible to see local veteran entrepreneurs building such a strong community!

Special thanks to:
🍔 Host:
🙌 Grant Sponsor:

Missed this one? Don’t worry—we’re just getting started. Stay tuned for an announcement about our next networking event later this year!

05/08/2026



Now accepting nominations for the Service-Disabled Veteran’s Business Enterprise® of the Year Award.

This award honors a Service-Disabled Veteran-owned business that demonstrates exceptional leadership, strong business performance and meaningful impact in their industry and community.

Know a business that deserves recognition? Submit a nomination today and help us celebrate their success.

Nomination Deadline: May 21, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. EDT

Nominate here 👉️ NaVOBA.org/vbeoy

We had an incredible time at “STRONG BUSINESS, STRONG OWNER” — SoCal VBOC’s very first networking event for veteran entr...
05/08/2026

We had an incredible time at “STRONG BUSINESS, STRONG OWNER” — SoCal VBOC’s very first networking event for veteran entrepreneurs! We had a packed house and the energy was phenomenal.

A special thank you to Kaiser Permanente for providing the grant that made this event possible, and a massive shoutout to Bonehead Burger Co. for being such fantastic hosts. We couldn’t have asked for a better venue or a more engaged group of local veteran business owners connecting and sharing their journeys.

If you missed it, don’t worry! Stay tuned for an announcement about our next networking event coming later this year.

Did you snap any great photos at the event? Tag us —we’d love to see them!

And if you know a fellow veteran business owner who would benefit from joining our community, tag them or share this post with them.

We can’t wait to see you all at the next one!

Are you a Veteran or military spouse running a business in Southern California? 🇺🇸The SoCal VBOC invites you to STRONG B...
04/14/2026

Are you a Veteran or military spouse running a business in Southern California? 🇺🇸

The SoCal VBOC invites you to STRONG BUSINESS, STRONG OWNER: A Networking Event for Veteran Entrepreneurs.

Running a business can be a solo mission, but it doesn't have to be. Join us on Wednesday, May 6th to meet local business owners who share your background and values. Gain insights, find new partners, and learn about the free resources available to help your business thrive.

⏰ Time: 4:00 PM - 7:30 PM
📍 Place: Bonehead Burger Co., Old Town, San Diego
✅ Cost: Free with RSVP

Tag a fellow veteran entrepreneur who needs to be there! 👇

RSVP today: (https://socalvboc.org/networking-event-for-veteran-entrepreneurs/)

This event is made possible with generous support from Kaiser Permanente.

TURN YOUR AI IDEA INTO A REAL, ACTIONABLE PLAN​The VBOC and nClouds AI Services Challenge, powered by Amazon Web Service...
03/19/2026

TURN YOUR AI IDEA INTO A REAL, ACTIONABLE PLAN

​The VBOC and nClouds AI Services Challenge, powered by Amazon Web Services (AWS), is a modern, hands-on experience designed to help California businesses transform AI and analytics ideas into clearly scoped, ex*****on-ready solutions.

This is NOT a traditional pitch contest. Instead, selected veteran-led companies participate in private, closed door, NDA-protected working sessions with AWS and nClouds experts to drive rapid discovery and strategic alignment to move ideas into ex*****on. Participants will be eligible to receive up to $50,000 in services to turn their vision to reality.

This event is built for founders and leaders—technical or non-technical—who are looking to leverage AI and analytics to move their business forward with help from experts who can make it happen.

If you have an AI or analytics idea and want expert help turning it into something real, this challenge is built for you.

Apply now to be considered for the VBOC, AWS, and nClouds AI Services Challenge.

Applications are limited. Finalists will be notified directly with next steps.

How does funding work?
This is not a cash prize or AWS credits. Funding is AWS Partner funding allocated toward technical resources, architecture support, and solution development services delivered by nClouds in collaboration with AWS (subject to program eligibility and scope).

​📅 When: April 6th and 7th
📍 Where: MiraCosta College, 3333 Manchester Ave. Room 1131 Cardiff, CA 92007
👤 Participants: 6-8 selected teams
🤝 Partners: VBOC, nClouds, and Amazon Web Services (AWS)

​HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS

​HOW TO APPLY & GET ACCEPTED

​Businesses across California are invited to apply by submitting a 300–500 word synopsis describing:
• How AI could improve efficiency, customer experience, or growth in your business
• The AI, data, or analytics challenge or opportunity you want to explore
• Your current level of technology maturity

​Clear, well-defined use cases will strengthen your application.

Applications are reviewed jointly by the partners and sponsors. A limited number of companies will be selected to participate in two in-person on-site deep-dive sessions over the course of two days (Monday-Tuesday, Apr. 6-7).

Selected finalists receive a detailed preparation guide including:
• Event agenda and exact session times
• Evaluation criteria and expectations
• Preparation suggestions
• NDA, logistics, and submission details

​
​Questions to consider beforehand:
• What problem are you trying to solve, and why is it worth solving now?
• What data does your business have today, and where does it live?
• Where could AI or analytics create the most business impact—growth, efficiency, decision-making, or customer experience?
• What would success look like in the next 6–12 months if this idea moved forward?

The objective is to deeply understand your business and define what a real solution could look like, and to articulate how you would improve your company utilizing AI and Analytics.

01/15/2026

Are you interested in learning government contracting?

The SoCal VBOC is hosting a virtual training session on January 27 to teach and the requirements and certifications needed to grow a business through federal contracting.

Sign up here: bit.ly/44C8p3V

On November 11, the U.S.A. honors our brave men and women who served their country with courage and strength. Thank you ...
11/11/2025

On November 11, the U.S.A. honors our brave men and women who served their country with courage and strength. Thank you to the outstanding who fought to safeguard our nation, our people, and our freedom.

SoCal VBOC Client Spotlight: Denise Garcia-Barham, Founder of Highway Adulting Highway After 20 years in the U.S. Navy,...
10/10/2025

SoCal VBOC Client Spotlight: Denise Garcia-Barham, Founder of Highway Adulting Highway

After 20 years in the U.S. Navy, Denise turned her passion for mentoring into Adulting Highway — a program helping teens and young adults build real-world skills for independence. From finances to professionalism and communication, her workshops make “adulting” easier to navigate.

“Becoming an adult isn’t a straight road — it’s a winding journey.”

Read the full article online at SD Voyager Magazine:

https://sdvoyager.com/interview/hidden-gems-meet-denise-garcia-barham-of-adulting-highway

We’re proud to support Denise and Adulting Highway as they empower the next generation to thrive!

Feeling the "lonely road" of entrepreneurship? You're not alone.Owning a business is rewarding, but it can be tough to f...
10/07/2025

Feeling the "lonely road" of entrepreneurship? You're not alone.

Owning a business is rewarding, but it can be tough to find people who truly understand the journey. What if you had an hour to just talk shop, share what's working (and what's not), and learn from your peers?

That's why we host SHOP TALK!

This month, the SoCal VBOC and LA Regional VBOC are honored to have special guest Nathalie K. from the incredible Bunker Labs join the conversation!

Here's the plan:
1️⃣ A quick 15-minute deep dive into a relevant business topic.
2️⃣ The rest of the hour is YOURS for open discussion, Q&A, and networking.

Ready to trade insights and inspiration?

Event Details:
When: Tuesday, October 7, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM PT

Save your spot for this empowering conversation!

Address

3333 Manchester Avenue, Bldg 800
Cardiff, CA
920007

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+17607958739

Website

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