FAQ | Startups by Vets

About the Directory

What is Startups By Vets?

Startups By Vets is a free, independently-run directory of companies founded or co-founded by U.S. military veterans. Our goal is to make it easy to discover, buy from, hire, and invest in veteran-led businesses — all in one searchable place.

Who can be listed?

Any company that is founded or co-founded by a U.S. military veteran — active duty, reserve, National Guard, or honorably discharged. Businesses of any size and stage are welcome, from pre-launch startups to established brands.

Is there a cost to list my company?

No. Listing your startup is completely free. There is no paid tier, no premium placement, and no fee to be featured.

How do I know the listings are legitimate?

Listings marked as Verified have gone through a manual confirmation process to validate military service before going live. Unverified listings are still real submissions from founders, but haven't completed the verification step yet.

For Founders

How do I list my startup?

Sign up for an account, then submit your company through the submission form. Include your company name, tagline, category, and a link to your website. Your listing goes live once it's approved.

What information should I include?

The more complete your listing, the more useful it is to visitors. We recommend including:

A clear tagline that explains what you do
A detailed description of your product or service
Your company website and social links
A logo or brand image
Your branch of service and location

Can I update my listing after it's live?

Yes. Log in to your account and edit your listing at any time. You can also post updates about milestones, launches, or news through the updates feature on your company page.

How do I get the "Verified" badge?

After submitting your listing, you'll be asked to complete a brief verification step to confirm your military service. Once confirmed, a Verified badge will appear on your listing.

Do you accept non-U.S. veterans?

At this time, the directory focuses specifically on U.S. military veterans and their companies.

For Browsers, Investors & Partners

How do I search for startups?

Browse the full directory at startups. You can filter by category, subcategory, branch of service, and location.

Can I contact a founder directly?

Yes. Each listing includes a link to the company's website and social profiles, where you can reach out directly.

Are you affiliated with the VA or DoD?

No. Startups By Vets is an independent platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, or any government agency.

How can I support veteran-owned businesses?

The easiest way is to browse the directory and buy from, hire, or partner with the businesses you find there. You can also share listings you like with your network — word of mouth is one of the most effective ways to help veteran founders grow.

For the Calendar & Events

What's on the calendar?

The calendar tracks military holidays, observances, and veteran-relevant events throughout the year — including defense and GovCon expos, founder conferences, demo days, and community events.

Can I submit an event?

Event submissions are handled by our team for now. If you'd like an event added, contact us with the details and we'll review it.

General

Who runs Startups By Vets?

Startups By Vets was built by Peter Sarll, a veteran software developer based in San Diego. You can read more on the About page.

How do I report a problem or suggest a feature?

We'd love to hear from you. Reach out through the contact page with any bugs, suggestions, or feedback.

I found an error in a listing. What should I do?

Please let us know with a link to the listing and a description of the issue. If you're the founder of the company in question, log in and edit the listing directly.