Coforma Received Veteran Institute for Procurement International Certification
Coforma recently completed the Veteran Institute Procurement (VIP) INTERNATIONAL Program, a comprehensive training and certification program teaching veteran-owned small businesses how to expand their Federal and commercial contracting opportunities overseas.
On December 10, 2020, Coforma was one of 31 businesses from 9 states and the District of Columbia to graduate from the VIP INTERNATIONAL Program.
Alongside the Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) status granted to Coforma in 2017 and the 8(a) Certification from the US Small Business Administration received in 2019, the new certification will help the company bid on more proposals in a new market.
“We’re thrilled to be able to take on the impactful work that we do within the United States. We aim to use the position of privilege that comes with both being located in the US and the work expertise that we’ve built over time here to bring creative, human-centered design solutions and technologies to democracies and organizations around the world. The VIP International Training has been a remarkable investment in Coforma to help us do just that,” said Ashleigh Axios, Chief Experience Officer and partner at Coforma.
VIP INTERNATIONAL is a comprehensive, 27-hour program tailored to maximize veteran-owned small businesses’ success in winning, executing, and maintaining international contracts. Subject matter experts give participants hands-on, market-based instruction across more than 20 topics that help establish best business practices for Federal government contracting.
According to research by Bunker Labs, about 25% of transitioning veterans are interested in running their own business through entrepreneurship — an endeavor that has been harder in recent years. Programs like VIP create ecosystems of support, connecting participants with Federal and prime contracting executives and a national network of veteran-owned small businesses. Coforma will leverage new connections and new knowledge to thoughtfully pursue international contracting opportunities.
With funding from the Montgomery County Chamber Community Foundation, partnerships with the US Small Business Administration, Lockheed Martin, and the State of Maryland, VIP is the first free training program for veteran-owned small businesses across the US.
Since the program launched, 163 veteran-owned small businesses have graduated from VIP INTERNATIONAL. The Montgomery County Chamber Community Foundation reports that graduates increased their revenue by 63% and grew their international markets by 29% in the first year following graduation.
