This program seeks to develop strong protégé enterprises through mentor-provided business development assistance and to help them successfully compete for government contracts. Rather than creating separate programs for each constituency (Service Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses, Women-Owned Small Businesses, Historically Underutilized Business Zones), the SBA created one all-inclusive program.

This program was modeled after the successful SBA 8(a) Mentor-Protégé Program. The Department of Defense has its own Mentor – Protégé Program, so compare and contrast the two programs to determine which is best suited for your business.