National Invest in Veterans Week 2024: Honoring New Jersey’s Veteran Entrepreneurs
A special thanks to NJ.gov | Department of Military and Veterans Affairs | Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB)
In March 2024, National Invest in Veterans Week (March 1–7) was prominently featured on the New Jersey DEIB Calendar, reflecting the state’s commitment to honoring the service and entrepreneurial spirit of its veterans. As a nationally recognized observance, the inclusion of National Invest in Veterans Week on New Jersey’s prestigious DEIB calendar highlighted the value of veterans as innovators, business leaders, and community builders.
Elevating Veteran Contributions in New Jersey
National Invest in Veterans Week celebrated the impact of veteran-owned businesses across industries. While the week did not feature direct events, its presence on the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Calendar provided an opportunity for New Jersey to spotlight the resilience and contributions of its veteran entrepreneurs. This inclusion aligns with the state’s long-standing efforts to create opportunities for veterans to thrive economically and socially.
Key Highlights from the March 2024 DEIB Calendar
March 1–7: National Invest in Veterans Week
Recognizing the economic and social contributions of veteran entrepreneurs.March 6: Day of Memorial and Respect for Veterans
Honoring veterans and emphasizing their role as leaders in their communities.March 13: National K9 Veterans Day
Highlighting the service and sacrifices of military working dogs and their handlers.
These observances allowed New Jersey to reflect on its veteran population's achievements and their role in driving innovation and inclusion across the state.
NewJerseyVeterans.com: A Year-Round Resource for Veterans
While National Invest in Veterans Week brought attention to veteran entrepreneurship, NewJerseyVeterans.com continued to serve as a vital resource for veterans seeking to grow their businesses. This platform remained central to the state’s efforts to empower veterans, providing tools and connections to help them succeed.
Key Features of NewJerseyVeterans.com
Resource Directory: A centralized hub for grants, loans, and government contracting opportunities.
Networking Tools: Directories of veteran-owned businesses to foster collaboration and community.
Educational Content: Guides on entrepreneurship, business planning, and funding access.
The inclusion of National Invest in Veterans Week on the DEIB calendar further reinforced the importance of these resources, driving increased engagement and awareness.
Celebrating New Jersey’s Veteran Entrepreneurs
National Invest in Veterans Week created a platform to highlight success stories of New Jersey veterans who are redefining leadership in their respective industries. These stories inspired not only the veteran community but also the broader public to recognize the unique strengths that veterans bring to business and innovation.
Veteran-Led Successes
Cybersecurity Growth in Hoboken: A veteran entrepreneur leveraged resources from NewJerseyVeterans.com to secure funding for a tech startup specializing in digital defense.
Food Innovation in Atlantic City: A Navy veteran launched a thriving culinary venture after learning about state grant opportunities during National Invest in Veterans Week.
Logistics Leadership in Newark: A logistics startup founded by a veteran received recognition for employing fellow veterans, bolstering the local economy.
The DEIB Calendar: A Platform for Inclusion and Opportunity
By including National Invest in Veterans Week on its March 2024 DEIB Calendar, New Jersey reinforced its reputation as a leader in supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion. The calendar served as a tool to connect veterans with opportunities for recognition, collaboration, and growth.
Broader Impacts of Inclusion
Visibility: The calendar brought greater attention to the contributions of veterans in both public and private sectors.
Engagement: Stakeholders, businesses, and organizations were encouraged to collaborate with veterans, creating new partnerships.
Legacy: The addition of this week laid the foundation for future veteran-focused initiatives in New Jersey.
Looking Ahead: Building on 2024’s Legacy
The success of National Invest in Veterans Week 2024 on New Jersey’s DEIB Calendar signals the potential for expanded efforts in the future. Plans are already underway to broaden the reach of NewJerseyVeterans.com, with initiatives such as:
Enhanced Grant Programs: New funding streams to support veteran-led startups.
Mentorship Expansion: Increased opportunities for veterans to connect with business leaders.
Statewide Outreach: New tools to ensure underserved veteran populations have access to resources.
For more information on veteran-specific resources and opportunities, visit NewJerseyVeterans.com.
Explore the full March 2024 DEIB Calendar here.
By spotlighting National Invest in Veterans Week, New Jersey reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a culture of belonging and inclusion for those who have served. Through recognition and opportunity, the state continues to honor its veterans as leaders, innovators, and vital contributors to its economic and social fabric.
