While National Veterans Small Business Week (NVSBW) has established itself as a platform to celebrate veteran entrepreneurs, National Invest in Veterans Week® (NIVW) offers a comprehensive, year-round approach that addresses systemic barriers, drives innovation, and expands the scope of veteran entrepreneurship globally. With NVSBW’s 2024 theme, "Strengthening #VetBiz Communities," focusing on the role of veteran-owned businesses in local economies, NIVW takes this concept further by fostering a global ecosystem of veteran entrepreneurs through strategic initiatives, legislative advocacy, and cutting-edge technology.

National Invest in Veterans Week®: Redefining Veteran Advocacy

1. Moving Beyond Recognition to Transformation

While NVSBW’s primary goal is to recognize and support veteran-owned businesses for one week in November, NIVW provides continuous resources, mentorship, and advocacy for veteran entrepreneurs year-round. Held annually from March 1-7, NIVW offers initiatives like FeMil℠ and FeMil Lead℠, which specifically address the challenges faced by female veterans, providing leadership training, funding education, and business development tools.

Explore more about FeMil℠: National Invest in Veterans Week: FeMil℠ and Leadership Programs.

2. Expanding the Scope with Global Outreach

NVSBW centers its efforts on nationwide events and workshops, focusing on localized SBA initiatives such as VBOCs, SCORE mentoring, and contracting opportunities. NIVW, on the other hand, spans 62 global markets, connecting veterans to resources tailored to both local and international business landscapes through platforms like FloridaVeterans.com and GermanyVeterans.com.

Learn more about global outreach: National Invest in Veterans Week: Driving Innovation Across 62 Global Markets.

Key Differences Between NIVW and NVSBW

Aspect National Veterans Small Business Week (NVSBW) National Invest in Veterans Week® (NIVW) Duration One week in November Year-round programming, observed annually March 1-7 Global Reach U.S.-focused events 62 global markets connecting veterans locally and internationally Programs for Women General support through SBA FeMil℠ and FeMil Lead℠ targeted at female veterans Legislative Advocacy Limited to SBA-backed policies Advocates for the Invest in Veterans Stimulus Act and systemic change

Legislative Advocacy: Closing the Gap

NVSBW provides training on government contracting and programs like SDVOSB certification, which is critical for federal contracts. However, NIVW goes beyond training by advocating for systemic changes through the Invest in Veterans Stimulus Act and supporting legislation like the Complete the Mission Act of 2024. These efforts aim to address gaps in funding, simplify contracting processes, and ensure equitable access to resources.

Read more about legislative advocacy: Championing the Complete the Mission Act of 2024.

Technology-Driven Innovation: The π Domains

NIVW’s π (Pledge to Invest) = Veteran Businesses℠ domains represent a groundbreaking approach to leveraging technology for entrepreneurial success. These platforms provide:

• π.guru: Mentorship networks connecting veterans with industry leaders.

• π.directory: A global directory of veteran-owned businesses.

• π.solutions: Strategies to overcome entrepreneurial challenges.

These tools transform how veterans access resources, making NIVW an innovation leader in veteran advocacy.

Economic and Social Impact of Veteran-Owned Businesses

Veteran-owned businesses contribute over $1.2 trillion annually to the U.S. economy. NIVW amplifies this impact by:

• Expanding access to funding and contracting opportunities globally.

• Fostering job creation through scalable veteran-led enterprises.

• Promoting innovation across industries like technology, green energy, and healthcare.

For more on NIVW’s economic contributions: Kevin D. Shoun: Transformational Leadership.

The Call for a More Comprehensive Approach

NVSBW is an important initiative for celebrating veteran entrepreneurs, but its scope is limited. National Invest in Veterans Week® fills this gap by providing sustained support, advocating for policy changes, and connecting veterans across borders to opportunities that NVSBW cannot.

Get Involved with NIVW

• Join the movement to empower veterans at National Invest in Veterans Week®.

• Advocate for systemic change by supporting the Invest in Veterans Stimulus Act.

• Explore innovative platforms like π.guru and π.directory to connect with global resources.

By supporting NIVW, we move beyond celebrating veteran entrepreneurs and begin transforming the landscape of veteran-owned businesses, ensuring they lead with resilience, innovation, and purpose.