Veterans have long been an entrepreneurial force in the U.S. But these days, the number of veteran-owned businesses is declining.

Only 4.5 percent of post-9/11 military veterans have gone on to open a business, compared to 49.7 percent of WWII veterans and 40 percent of Korean War veterans.

This sharp decline in veteran business ownership isn’t for a lack of drive: 26 percent of veterans say they’re interested in starting a business of their own. However, veterans face significant obstacles in their quest to start a business, from knowledge gaps to financing challenges.