As we take a moment this long weekend to remember our soldiers who paid the ultimate price for our freedoms, we can’t help but to also commemorate our Veterans of all eras and active service members. They are an integral part of our communities, our collective conscious and our economy.

Veteran entrepreneurs or “vetrepreneurs” are increasing in number. According to the Small Business Association, Veteran-Owned Businesses comprise nearly 10 percent of all small businesses. Veteran Woman-Owned Businesses, which make up only about four percent of the new businesses, earn almost $16 billion in receipts annually, which translates into nearly 70,000 jobs, according to the National Women’s Business Council. The numbers will continue to grow as more vets become aware of financing through SBA programs like Veterans Advantage or the Veterans Entrepreneurship Act of 2015, which allows for fee-free loans, up to $350,000.

Let’s take a look at a few of the top veteran-owned businesses:

Rhumbix
Founders: Drew Dewalt and Zach Scheel

Both Zach and Drew served in the United States Navy. Sharing a few beers together one night while working on a construction project, the two realized with their combined backgrounds they could create, “mobile tools that help workers build smarter and safer.” When they got back stateside, they launched their company, ran a successful capital raise campaign and Rhumbix was born.

Black Rifle Coffee Company
Founder: Evan Hafer

Evan served as a Green Beret in the United States Army. Roasting Coffee beans 10 years ago for his fellow soldiers, Evan developed a passion for freshly roasted coffee beans, ground to perfection for the ultimate cup of Joe. Once out of the Service, he combined his two passions: coffee and guns. With military-grade kitsch and coffee names like AK-47, Black Rifle is on a mission to hire over 10,000 veterans.

GoDaddy – Hosting, Domain Names
Founder: Bob Parsons

Bob Parsons served in the United States Marine Corps. Bob is a serial vetrepreneur, having founded Parsons Technology (Tax Software) and then GoDaddy, which became extremely successfuland a household name if you’re in tech. Bob takes pride in his military service and in 2016 spoke at a Veterans’ Day commemoration in Scottsdale, Arizona.

If you know of any veterans or spouses of veterans considering entrepreneurship, let them know about the resources available through the SBA and Breakaway Funding’s new membership section.