Military Vets Finally Have a Launchpad for Their Business Dreams in SA

May 6, 2026 - 10:38

San Antonio is set to become the first city in the country to offer veterans and their families a direct path to owning their own business. District 9 Councilwoman Misty Spears is behind a new Small Business Accelerator Program that connects vets with mentors, funding resources, and even a pitch competition. The program has already received the green light from the city.

Army veteran Melanie McCoy knows firsthand how lonely and confusing starting a business can be without support. Now she is helping lead the charge with a new non-profit called Supply SA, designed so no veteran has to figure it out alone. With 75 percent of San Antonio's economy powered by small businesses, this program could be a game-changer for the whole city.

The accelerator aims to cut through the red tape and isolation that many veterans face when transitioning from military service to entrepreneurship. Participants will get hands-on guidance from experienced business owners, access to capital, and a chance to pitch their ideas in a competitive setting. For a city with a large military population, this initiative fills a gap that has long been overlooked. Spears and McCoy hope the model will be replicated across the country, proving that veterans bring the same discipline and leadership to the boardroom as they did to the battlefield.