Gateway by ICN - VCBC

Character, Courage & commitment

Veteran Community Business Chamber (VCBC)

Courage, commitment, character - is this what you want from your chosen business partners? Veteran community business owners have taken their world class military training and applied these skills into enterprise and entrepreneurship. Armed with training, veteran community business owners are here to deliver with excellence into your supply chain.

Veteran Community Businesses in Supply Chains

Veteran community businesses (VCB's) are an untapped resource for the Australian economy. Supporting VCB's into both government and corporate supply chains has a multiplier effect in several ways:

continues to reap from the nation's investment in training
drives employment initiatives as veterans continue to hire veterans, and
most importantly, it continues to empower a community that is built on character, commitment and service.

The legacy and spirit of Veteran entrepreneurship in Australia is alive and well.

Just over 100 years ago in WW1, a couple of diggers, Hudson Fysh and Paul McGuiness survived Gallipoli.

In Palestine, they were offered cutting edge military training and learned how to fly. On return to Australia, having won the Distinguished Flying Cross, the two lads moved to Winton in outback QLD.

They took these military skills, backed themselves, bought a plane and flew it west. Qantas is a Veteran founded business and a modern-day Australian icon. VCBC is here to support the dreams of the next Veteran entrepreneurs and turn them into reality.

Other iconic Veteran founded businesses in Australia include Coles Supermarkets, John Holland and Dan Murphy's. All started by Veterans who chose entrepreneurship and enterprise post their military life.

How it works for Suppliers

VCBC certification process: All Veteran Community Businesses (VCB's) on Gateway are badged with the VCBC certification chevrons. To be granted the right to display these chevrons, the business must go through a simple compliance check with the VCBC team. All ex-servicing personnel are welcome to apply for VCBC certification regardless of rank, service, time served or Regular / Reserves status.

VCBC chevrons and badge

Veteran Community Status

The first principle is to recognise the service of the person through endorsing their status as a current or former serving military member, or partner or spouse of either.

Veteran Owned Chevron - A person, or persons with veteran community status must own no less than 50% of a business.

Veteran Operated Chevron - A Veteran community member must be in control of the business from the position of CEO, Managing Director, sole trader or be able to demonstrate a controlling position.

Veteran Employer Chevron - A certified Veteran community business that has demonstrated recruitment and employment of others in the Veteran community.

Learn more about VCBC membership and certification

How it works for Project Owners

The partnership between ICN and VCBC supports the growth of Veteran entrepreneurship, enterprise and innovation. The best way to support this initiative is to choose one of our community members to be a part of your supply chain on your next project. You can also support the Veteran community business movement directly through VCBC. Options include co-branded sponsorship through ICN or sign up to be a Gold, Silver or Bronze supporter of VCBC directly.

Gateway by ICN and Veteran Community Business Chamber (VCBC) partnership

ICN and VCBC have partnered to bridge the gap between project owners and Veteran community businesses.

ICN helps Defence Primes and project owners identify suitable Australian suppliers with the capabilities to assist in delivering Australian defence projects. Our core platform, Gateway by ICN makes it easy for companies to submit EOIs for projects and showcase their capabilities.