Supporting Veteran Entrepreneurs: Teaching Proposal Management at VIP AEROSPACE 2026

Last week, Marina Goren, President/CEO of Smart BD Consulting, had the privilege of serving as an instructor for the Veteran Institute for Procurement (VIP) AEROSPACE 2026 program—an intensive three-day training designed to help veteran-owned small businesses grow and succeed in the federal marketplace.

The VIP AEROSPACE program brings together veteran entrepreneurs from across the country for hands-on training and expert-led sessions focused on critical areas of business growth. Over the course of the program, participants engaged in discussions on growth strategies, supply chain management, compliance, aerospace business development, and proposal management—all essential components for companies pursuing opportunities in the government and aerospace sectors.

Marina's session focused on Managing Proposals in Response to Government Solicitations, with a particular emphasis on emerging 2025–2026 trends in federal procurement and proposal development. During the session, Marina explored practical strategies for navigating complex solicitations, strengthening proposal processes, and positioning companies more competitively for federal contracts.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the experience was the opportunity to engage with more than 50 veteran entrepreneurs who are actively building and leading small businesses. The discussion was interactive and candid, covering the real challenges companies face when pursuing government work—from limited resources and tight proposal timelines to scaling operations and maintaining compliance.

Equally important, they discussed practical ways to overcome these obstacles, including building repeatable proposal processes, leveraging strategic partnerships, and focusing on opportunities that align with a company’s strengths.

Programs like VIP play an important role in helping veteran-owned businesses gain the knowledge, tools, and networks they need to compete and grow. We are grateful for the opportunity to work with such a motivated and accomplished group and look forward to seeing the continued success of the companies that participated in VIP AEROSPACE 2026.