Official Report: National Invest in Veterans Week® Domains and Strategic Initiatives for Veteran Empowerment

Introduction

National Invest in Veterans Week® (NIVW) is an innovative national initiative focused on advancing veteran entrepreneurship. NIVW achieves this by creating state-specific domains aligned with the unique economic and social characteristics of various regions in the U.S. These 14 domains provide veterans with tailored resources, business mentorship, funding opportunities, and pathways to industry networks. This report deep-dives into the alignment, opportunities, and challenges faced by these domains while leveraging the 2024 PenFed Top Cities for Veteran Entrepreneurs Report as a key reference.

I. Overview of National Invest in Veterans Week Domains

The 14 domains reflect a highly localized approach to fostering veteran entrepreneurship, addressing regional economic strengths, and creating opportunities. By bridging the gap between veterans and essential resources, the domains empower veteran-owned businesses to flourish in diverse ecosystems. The domains not only enhance individual success but also stimulate broader regional economic development.

II. The 14 Domains: Strategic Analysis and Regional Impacts

1. LouisianaVeterans.com

• Regions Served: New Orleans, Baton Rouge

• Key Strengths:

  • Growing renewable energy sector.

  • Low costs for startups and small businesses.

  • Strategic location for logistics and maritime industries.

• Opportunities:

  • Build collaborations with military bases and shipping industries.

  • Expand renewable energy initiatives and veteran-led sustainability projects.

  • Leverage New Orleans’ growing tourism economy for service-based businesses.

2. KansasVeterans.com

• Regions Served: Kansas City

• Key Strengths:

  • High livability and veteran-friendly policies.

  • Thriving agricultural and logistics economy.

• Opportunities:

  • Promote agritech innovation led by veterans.

  • Establish incubators to connect veteran entrepreneurs with logistics hubs.

  • Leverage the region’s central U.S. location for supply chain optimization.

3. RhodeIslandVeterans.com

• Regions Served: Providence

• Key Strengths:

  • Strong financial services sector.

  • High government contracting opportunities.

• Opportunities:

  • Develop fintech startups through partnerships with state resources.

  • Expand veteran roles in advanced manufacturing and biomedical sectors.

  • Promote government contracting initiatives tailored to veterans.

4. NewHampshireVeterans.com

• Regions Served: Manchester

• Key Strengths:

  • Low taxes and an educated workforce.

  • Proximity to Boston's economic hubs.

• Opportunities:

  • Develop startups focused on clean energy and advanced engineering.

  • Foster cross-border collaboration with Boston’s venture capital ecosystem.

  • Improve veteran access to technical training programs.

5. DelawareVeterans.com

• Regions Served: Wilmington

• Key Strengths:

  • Strategic corporate and legal hubs.

  • Strong presence of financial networks.

• Opportunities:

  • Expand into fintech and cybersecurity sectors.

  • Build stronger partnerships with corporations in Wilmington.

  • Support veteran-led innovation in banking and healthcare tech.

6. PennsylvaniaVeterans.com

• Regions Served: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh

• Key Strengths:

  • Diverse industrial and economic base.

  • Strong access to federal contracting opportunities.

• Opportunities:

  • Enhance partnerships in defense and aerospace manufacturing.

  • Leverage tech hubs in Pittsburgh for veteran-led startups.

  • Increase funding access for veterans in underserved areas.

7. SouthCarolinaVeterans.com

• Regions Served: Charleston

• Key Strengths:

  • Thriving tourism and hospitality sectors.

  • Proximity to key military installations.

• Opportunities:

  • Encourage veteran involvement in defense contracting.

  • Build tourism-focused startups tailored to Charleston's economy.

  • Strengthen small business growth through state-specific grants.

8. MississippiVeterans.com

• Regions Served: Jackson

• Key Strengths:

  • Strong manufacturing and agriculture sectors.

• Opportunities:

  • Develop innovation hubs focused on ag-tech and energy.

  • Create platforms to connect veterans with underserved rural markets.

  • Increase veteran participation in regional infrastructure development.

9. WyomingVeterans.com

• Regions Served: Cheyenne

• Key Strengths:

  • Stable economy and energy-sector innovations.

• Opportunities:

  • Promote renewable energy startups by veterans.

  • Leverage the state’s natural resources to develop rural economic hubs.

  • Encourage veteran-owned small businesses in tourism and outdoor industries.

10. WestVirginiaVeterans.com

• Regions Served: Charleston

• Key Strengths:

  • Emerging renewable energy and infrastructure development opportunities.

• Opportunities:

  • Develop entrepreneurship programs in renewables and energy transitions.

  • Strengthen regional economic development through veteran-led enterprises.

  • Build business incubators tailored for rural and semi-urban veterans.

11. TennesseeVeterans.com

• Regions Served: Nashville, Memphis

• Key Strengths:

  • Thriving healthcare and music economies.

  • Strategic logistics and transportation hubs.

• Opportunities:

  • Expand logistics startups in Memphis.

  • Promote veteran innovation in Nashville’s entertainment industries.

  • Strengthen healthcare-focused veteran entrepreneurship.

12. NewJerseyVeterans.com

• Regions Served: Newark

• Key Strengths:

  • Access to New York’s vast markets.

  • Robust logistics and tech sectors.

• Opportunities:

  • Promote veteran-owned urban logistics businesses.

  • Leverage Newark’s role as a major port city for exports.

  • Expand veteran roles in financial and legal services.

13. NorthDakotaVeterans.com

• Regions Served: Fargo

• Key Strengths:

  • Energy production and agricultural hubs.

• Opportunities:

  • Strengthen veteran-led innovation in farming technologies.

  • Promote data centers and rural tech initiatives.

  • Encourage public-private partnerships for small business incubation.

14. FloridaVeterans.com

• Regions Served: Miami, Tampa, Orlando

• Key Strengths:

  • Diverse economy with aerospace and tourism industries.

  • Veteran-friendly population.

• Opportunities:

  • Strengthen veteran involvement in defense and aerospace contracting.

  • Expand retail and service-oriented startups.

  • Leverage Florida’s tech ecosystem to grow veteran-led ventures.

III. Trends and Challenges in Veteran Entrepreneurship

Trends Identified in the 2024 PenFed Report

• Growing Metro Areas: Cities like Austin, Raleigh, and Denver lead in job growth and business start-up success.

• Emerging Small Cities: Rapid City, Sioux Falls, and Cheyenne show strong support for veterans, despite smaller populations.

• Venture Capital Expansion: Metro regions like Washington, Atlanta, and Dallas exhibit increasing VC opportunities for veteran-owned businesses.

Key Challenges:

• Housing Costs: High housing costs in major metro areas constrain entrepreneurial growth.

• Access to Capital: Small cities face limited venture capital availability compared to larger regions.

• Infrastructure Needs: Public transit and childcare support remain inadequate in emerging cities.

IV. Recommendations for Strengthening Domains

1. Increase Funding Opportunities:

   • Advocate for public-private partnerships to expand venture capital availability.

   • Enhance funding access for underserved veteran entrepreneurs.

2. Strengthen Regional Networks:

   • Create statewide business incubators and accelerators focused on veterans.

   • Promote mentorship programs with successful veteran entrepreneurs.

3. Advocate for Policy Improvements:

   • Push for tax credits for veteran-owned businesses.

   • Improve housing affordability through targeted policy interventions.

4. Expand National Awareness:

   • Develop comprehensive marketing campaigns to raise awareness of the domains.

   • Highlight successful veteran-owned businesses as role models.

Conclusion

The National Invest in Veterans Week® domains represent a transformative framework for driving veteran entrepreneurship. By addressing unique regional challenges and opportunities, NIVW is poised to create a lasting economic impact. These domains, supported by state-specific strategies, will continue to serve as a guiding light for empowering veterans and fostering a robust national ecosystem for veteran-owned businesses.

The full study results can be found here.

Flashback: The Rise of National Invest In Veterans Week®

It’s 2019, and Jeff Shuford, an Iraq War veteran with a vision, stands at the crossroads of purpose and potential. After returning from military service, Shuford is struck by the untapped entrepreneurial spirit of veterans like himself—leaders shaped by discipline, innovation, and resilience but often left without the resources to thrive in civilian life. In response, he takes a bold step and establishes National Invest In Veterans Week® (NIVW), a movement destined to change the landscape of veteran advocacy and entrepreneurship.

A Movement Rooted in Purpose

The idea for NIVW isn’t born in isolation—it stems from a lifetime of observing the challenges faced by veterans transitioning into civilian life. Shuford knows the barriers well: access to funding, the need for mentorship, and the struggle to connect with opportunities. In founding NIVW, his goal is simple yet profound: to empower veterans to achieve entrepreneurial success and, in turn, create a ripple effect of economic growth.

Fast forward to 2022, and National Invest In Veterans Week® achieves a milestone that many initiatives aspire to but rarely reach. It is officially recognized in Chase’s Calendar of Events, the ultimate global guide to special observances. This inclusion not only validates NIVW’s mission but amplifies its voice on an international stage.

“Veterans are the backbone of economic innovation,” says Angel Shuford, Jeff’s wife and Vice President of NIVW. Together, they expand the organization’s reach, pushing its influence to new heights.

Building an Ecosystem for Success

As the flashback continues, the narrative deepens: Shuford’s vision takes root in a growing ecosystem of platforms and initiatives. By 2023, NIVW operates in 62 global markets, featuring country-specific platforms like AustraliaVeterans.com and GermanyVeterans.com.

The global expansion is no accident. Recognizing the unique challenges veterans face in different regions—from navigating regulatory landscapes in Europe to exploring tech opportunities in Asia—NIVW develops tailored resources for every market. Each platform becomes a beacon, connecting veterans with funding opportunities, mentorship networks, and government support.

A Year of Validation

The inclusion in Chase’s Calendar of Events 2022 is a watershed moment for NIVW. This globally respected guidebook, known for its exhaustive catalog of holidays, events, and observances, solidifies March 1–7 as a week dedicated to honoring veteran entrepreneurs.

The entry reads: “National Invest In Veterans Week. Mar 1–7. Established in 2019, this week honors aspiring and established veteran business owners and their contributions to the economy. According to the Small Business Administration, businesses formed by veterans employ more than 5 million people and have an annual payroll of $195 billion with receipts of $1.14 trillion.”

For Jeff and Angel, this recognition is more than just a line in a book—it is a symbol of the movement’s success and a validation of their relentless efforts to champion veterans.

The Invest in Veterans Stimulus Act: A Bold Proposal

As the flashback shifts, we revisit the turning point in 2025 when the Invest in Veterans Stimulus Act emerges as a legislative proposal aimed at cementing NIVW’s mission in policy. The Act, envisioned by the leadership team of NIVW, promises groundbreaking measures to empower veteran-owned businesses.

The proposed legislation features:

• Startup Tax Credits to offset initial costs for veterans starting businesses.

• Employment Incentives, encouraging veteran-owned companies to hire fellow veterans.

• Public-Private Partnership Grants for innovation in tech, green energy, and infrastructure.

• Priority Federal Contracting for veteran businesses.

• Veterans’ Business Development Centers to provide workshops, networking opportunities, and resources nationwide.

The narrative swells with excitement as lawmakers and supporters rally behind the Act, recognizing the economic potential of empowering veterans. By 2030, the Act is projected to create 1 million new jobs, generate $150 billion in annual revenue, and expand opportunities for veterans in underserved regions.

Technology and Global Integration

The flashback weaves through the evolution of technology as a cornerstone of NIVW’s strategy. At the heart of this transformation is the suite of π Domains:

• π.guru, a mentorship network connecting veterans with industry leaders.

• π.digital, an educational hub offering business toolkits and resources.

• π.directory, a global listing platform that boosts visibility for veteran-owned businesses.

By 2024, the π Domains drive measurable economic growth, connecting thousands of veterans to partners, sponsors, and collaborators worldwide. The platforms become a rallying point for the organization’s mission: using innovation to drive veteran success.

Moments of Recognition

The flashback slows to highlight the steady climb of National Invest In Veterans Week® in the public consciousness. In its early days, the movement relied on grassroots support and a vision of empowerment. By 2025, NIVW’s brand is synonymous with advocacy, progress, and transformation.

NIVW’s intellectual property, including its 62 domains, is valued at $20-$25 million, while its global initiatives drive an annual economic impact of $10-$12 billion. The movement’s inclusion in prestigious platforms like Chase’s Calendar of Events cements its status as a transformative force in the lives of veterans.

A Call to Action

As the flashback concludes, the focus returns to the present. Jeff Shuford, now reflecting on the legacy of NIVW, reiterates the core of the movement: “When veterans succeed, the world prospers.”

National Invest In Veterans Week® invites policymakers, businesses, and individuals to join the mission. Whether it’s through supporting veteran-owned businesses, advocating for the Invest in Veterans Stimulus Act, or simply celebrating veterans during March 1–7, there is a role for everyone in shaping a future driven by resilience, innovation, and shared success.

Recognized in Chase's Calendar of Events, NIVW has cemented its place in history, honoring veterans from March 1–7 every year. With the proposed Invest in Veterans Stimulus Act, the initiative is poised to expand its impact, creating 1 million jobs and driving $150 billion in economic activity by 2030.

Learn more about this transformative movement:

• Chase's Calendar of Events 2022

• Invest in Veterans Stimulus Act Proposal

• Driving Economic Innovation - Kellum Corporation

Join the movement during March 1–7 and be a part of honoring our nation’s veteran entrepreneurs.