About

In partnership with the SBA, VBOC of the Dakotas equips Veterans, active duty service members, and their families with the resources needed to help them start, purchase, or grow their businesses. VBOC of the Dakotas serves the states of North Dakota and South Dakota. The main office is located in the Center for Innovation, Ina Mae Rude Entrepreneur Center on the University of North Dakota Campus. Advising sessions can be in person or virtually.

Meet the Staff

Michael Danielson is the Veteran Business Outreach Program Director which serves both North Dakota and South Dakota. He provides entrepreneurial focused training workshops both on and off installations that teach key concepts for starting, running, and operating a small business. Michael also provides no-cost business advising and resource connections to anyone interested in launching a business or anyone that has a pre-established business looking for new or innovative ideas. 

 

Douglas Sanzone is the Veteran Business Outreach Specialist for VBOC of the Dakotas. He provides training and advising services to veterans and their spouses on starting and operating a small business. These services are at no cost to any veteran interested in learning more through one of our workshops or by a one-on-one appointment with Doug. He has over 30 years of business experience, including running his chef/owned restaurant and an online institutional brokerage firm. Doug’s prior experience includes a wide range of business activities ranging from truck driving to building sophisticated technological products. Doug has a Mathematics and Economics degree from the University of Buffalo.

Network Partners

VBOC of the Dakotas is part of UND's Center for Business Engagement and Development which also hosts the ND SBDC and ND APEX programs through the Nistler College of Business and Public Administration. 

Funding through the SBA also brings in resource partners ND WBC and SCORE.