Collaborative Shared Technologies earns Veteran Institute Procurement certification

Collaborative Shared Technologies LLC has completed the Veteran Institute Procurement VIP START Program, a 27-hour certification designed to help veteran-owned firms win and keep government contracts. The Upper Marlboro, Maryland company joined 48 other businesses from 17 states and Washington, D.C., in the October 22 graduation class.

Why it matters: - VIP START is built to help veteran-owned businesses compete for government work across military and civilian agencies. - The program is designed to improve participants' chances of winning and maintaining contracts, which can expand revenue and long-term growth. - For Collaborative Shared Technologies LLC, the certification supports its federal market strategy and its work with government customers.

What happened: - Collaborative Shared Technologies LLC completed the Veteran Institute Procurement VIP START Program. - The company graduated on October 22, 2026, as part of a class of 49 businesses. - The graduating businesses came from 17 states plus Washington, D.C. - CEO and Founder Asha Peterson said the program provided practical insight into the federal contracting environment and opportunities to learn from experienced professionals and fellow veteran business owners.

The details: - VIP START is a three-day certification program that spans 27 hours. - The program is intended for C-level leaders of veteran-owned small businesses that have operated for at least one year and generated revenue during that time. - Participants must be W-2 employees or work full time in the company. - More than 20 topics are covered, including law, accounting, insurance, human resources, marketing and proposals. - The Montgomery County Chamber Community Foundation fully funds the program. - VIP START is offered at no cost to participants. - The program works with partners and supporters including the SBA, Lockheed Martin, the State of Maryland, corporate sponsors and alumni donors. - Barbara Ashe, president of the Montgomery County Chamber Community Foundation, said the organization wants to give veteran entrepreneurs tools to succeed as government contractors. - Collaborative Shared Technologies LLC is based in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. - The company provides knowledge management, enterprise intelligence, AI readiness, Microsoft 365 and SharePoint modernization, governance, process improvement, training and organizational transformation services. - Peterson leads the company with 24 years of knowledge management experience since 2002.

Between the lines: - VIP START combines classroom-style instruction with practical contracting guidance, which can be especially useful for smaller firms trying to break into federal procurement. - The certification can also serve as a credibility signal when veteran-owned firms pursue agency and prime-contractor relationships. - Collaborative Shared Technologies is positioning its services around government and enterprise modernization, so procurement training fits its business mix.

What's next: - Collaborative Shared Technologies is expected to use the certification to strengthen its federal contracting pipeline. - Peterson said the company will continue building strategic partnerships and expanding its capacity to support government customers. - The company directs VIP-related inquiries to Barbara Ashe at nationalvip.org. - More information about VIP is available at nationalvip.org.