A Bold New Vision for Supporting Veteran Entrepreneurs: National Invest in Veterans Week® vs. NVSBW

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.

National Invest in Veterans Week®: A Transformative Alternative to Strengthen VetBiz Communities

While National Veterans Small Business Week (NVSBW) highlights the entrepreneurial spirit of veterans through SBA-led events and resources, National Invest in Veterans Week® (NIVW) takes a more transformative and comprehensive approach to empower veteran-owned businesses. By offering global reach, targeted mentorship, and legislative advocacy, NIVW addresses systemic barriers in ways that NVSBW's localized initiatives do not fully encompass.

This deeper dive contrasts the approaches of NVSBW and NIVW, advocating for a model that not only celebrates veteran entrepreneurship but also drives long-term economic and social impact.

From Celebration to Transformation: Why NIVW Stands Out

1. Global Reach vs. Local Events

NVSBW focuses on nationwide SBA events that connect veterans to resources like VBOCs and funding programs. While helpful, these are often limited to one week and depend on regional partnerships.

In contrast, NIVW extends across 62 global markets, leveraging hyper-localized domains like FloridaVeterans.com and GermanyVeterans.com to provide year-round support. This international reach ensures that veteran entrepreneurs can access resources tailored to their local and global needs, fostering opportunities in diverse industries such as technology, green energy, and logistics.

2. Comprehensive Legislative Advocacy

NVSBW emphasizes SBA-backed resources such as 7(a) loans, VetCert, and federal contracting certifications like SDVOSB. These tools are essential but insufficient to address the larger structural challenges facing veteran entrepreneurs.

NIVW goes further by championing legislative efforts like the Invest in Veterans Stimulus Act, which proposes:

• Startup Tax Credits to offset initial business costs.

• Low-Interest Loans to make capital more accessible.

• Streamlined Federal Contracting to simplify the process for securing government contracts.

Learn more about these initiatives at Championing the Complete the Mission Act of 2024.

FeMil℠ and FeMil Lead℠: Targeted Support for Women Veterans

One of NIVW’s standout features is its dedication to underserved veteran groups, particularly women veterans. Through programs like FeMil℠ and FeMil Lead℠, NIVW empowers female entrepreneurs with tools such as:

• Funding Education to overcome systemic biases in capital access.

• Leadership Training to enhance their impact in business and community roles.

• Tailored Mentorship for scalable and sustainable growth.

NVSBW provides general resources for women through programs like the Women Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Program, but NIVW’s year-round approach ensures a more sustained impact.

Economic and Social Impact: A Broader Vision

Economic Growth

While NVSBW focuses on immediate resources for individual businesses, NIVW drives systemic change by fostering collaborative networks and international opportunities. Veteran-owned businesses already contribute over $1.2 trillion annually to the U.S. economy; NIVW’s global model has the potential to scale this impact exponentially.

Social Empowerment

NIVW recognizes that veteran entrepreneurship is not just about profit—it’s about creating jobs, fostering innovation, and giving back to communities. By promoting initiatives like Kevin D. Shoun’s transformational leadership (read more here), NIVW builds a culture of resilience and community-driven success.

A Call to Elevate Veteran Advocacy

While NVSBW provides essential tools for veterans to navigate entrepreneurship, National Invest in Veterans Week® redefines what it means to support VetBiz communities. Its global reach, legislative advocacy, and focus on underrepresented groups make it a more impactful alternative for strengthening veteran entrepreneurship.

Get Involved:

• Explore global platforms like FloridaVeterans.com or EUVeterans.com to connect with opportunities tailored to your region.

• Support legislative efforts like the Invest in Veterans Stimulus Act to break systemic barriers.

• Join the conversation and learn more at National Invest in Veterans Week®.

Together, we can move beyond celebration and build a future where veteran entrepreneurs thrive as leaders, innovators, and community builders.