Veteran-owned businesses are playing an increasingly visible role in Australia’s economy, bringing leadership, operational expertise and problem-solving capability into industries ranging from professional services to advanced manufacturing and logistics. As governments and major organisations place greater emphasis on supplier diversity, social procurement and sovereign capability, initiatives that strengthen commercial networks, build procurement readiness and expand market access are creating new opportunities for veteran entrepreneurs to grow sustainable businesses and contribute to national economic resilience.
Australia’s veteran business community gathered in Sydney on the 9th of July for the inaugural VetCon26, bringing together veteran entrepreneurs, procurement leaders, government representatives and industry experts for a day focused on one objective: strengthening veteran-owned businesses through practical knowledge, meaningful connections and greater commercial opportunity.
Hosted by the Veteran Business Community (VBC), the conference was built around three themes: Learn. Connect. Celebrate. Throughout the day, keynote presentations, workshops and networking sessions explored the opportunities available to veteran businesses while celebrating the leadership, resilience and capability that veterans continue to bring to Australia’s economy after military service.
Opening proceedings, master of ceremonies Rebecca Plant reflected on the way military service continues long after the uniform comes off.
“Veterans rarely stop serving,” she said. “They simply redirect that service, sometimes into businesses, into communities, mentoring, or creating opportunities for other people.”
Plant said the conference had been deliberately designed to recognise that contribution while creating opportunities for veterans to continue building successful businesses through shared knowledge and stronger professional networks.
“Today we’ll learn. We’ll connect. And tonight we’ll celebrate not just business success, but contribution, leadership and service.”
Building an industry around veteran business
VBC co-founder Peter Liston said VetCon26 had been created to address a significant gap within Australia’s veteran ecosystem. Rather than viewing veteran-owned businesses as isolated enterprises, he outlined a vision of a connected business community capable of creating opportunities for one another while becoming an increasingly recognised supplier base for government and industry.
“As a community, there are two things we can add value through: revenue and relationships,” Liston said. “How do we actually get revenue down to your business? And how do we create sincere relationships with people who can help you grow your business and journey together?”
That focus extended well beyond networking. Throughout the conference, speakers repeatedly encouraged businesses to collaborate, develop supply chain relationships and position themselves collectively for larger commercial opportunities.
Preparing for Australia’s biggest procurement opportunity
One of the strongest themes throughout the conference was procurement, particularly the opportunities emerging through the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Representatives involved in Brisbane 2032 procurement outlined the scale of the opportunity now opening to Australian businesses, explaining that preparations have begun earlier than for any previous Olympic Games, giving businesses more time to position themselves.
The organising committee highlighted that procurement extends far beyond stadium construction. Temporary venues, logistics, workforce, security, hospitality, technology, transport, event services, merchandise, accommodation and countless operational requirements will create opportunities across hundreds of categories over the coming years.
Businesses were encouraged to register early, complete detailed capability profiles and begin engaging with procurement processes well before contracts are released.
Importantly, Brisbane 2032 representatives also reinforced their commitment to recognising veteran-owned businesses within social procurement frameworks, encouraging businesses to identify themselves as veteran-owned so that capability can be more effectively recognised throughout the procurement process.
Understanding how buyers make decisions
Sessions delivered by procurement specialists from ICN Gateway unpacked the practical realities of competing for major contracts. Rather than focusing solely on pricing, presenters explained that buyers assess organisational capability, previous project experience, governance, financial strength, compliance, quality systems, cybersecurity, supplier diversity and evidence of reliable delivery.
Delegates were reminded that procurement is a structured, often lengthy process requiring preparation well before tenders are released, and that businesses should continually update their profiles, strengthen their credentials and build a documented record of capability.
Presenters also highlighted an emerging advantage for veteran-owned businesses, pointing to growing recognition of veterans within procurement policy and social procurement initiatives across government and major projects.
Service becomes business capability
Beyond procurement, speakers reflected on the qualities veterans carry into business. Advocates Online founder Kelleigh Jackson challenged attendees to recognise that many of the attributes developed during military service are also competitive business advantages.
“When the pressure comes, when it all goes sideways at once, the human being has two default settings: fight or flight,” she said. “We were trained to stand in the middle of the worst of it and still think, still choose, still move. That’s not a small thing. That is the single most valuable asset you brought out of service and into your business.”
Jackson encouraged business owners to continue evolving, letting go of strategies that had run their course while remaining focused on the next chapter of growth. “You took the pen back,” she told delegates. “You wrote the chapter you’re living now. This business, this room, that’s yours. Your hand. Your words. Your call.”
Learn. Connect. Celebrate.
Across keynote presentations, workshops and informal conversations, the conference consistently returned to its central themes. Delegates explored practical procurement pathways, shared lessons from building businesses after military service, connected with potential partners and suppliers, and celebrated the achievements of veteran-owned businesses through the evening awards program.
The conversations reflected a community increasingly focused on commercial growth alongside continued service, with veterans supporting one another through business, mentorship and collaboration.
Looking ahead, Liston outlined several priorities for the coming year, including Australia’s first veteran-owned pavilion at Land Forces, expanded networking events, a veteran procurement program focused on major Australian companies, and VetCon27 on the Gold Coast.
For the Veteran Business Community, the inaugural VetCon26 marked the beginning of an annual forum dedicated to helping veteran businesses learn, connect and grow together while strengthening their presence across Australia’s economy.
