Supplier procurement is shifting. What once began as a compliance-driven initiative has evolved into a strategic imperative, reshaping the way corporations strengthen supply chains, drive innovation, and create economic impact. Today, one of the fastest-growing segments in this evolution is the increase in corporate spending with Service-Disabled and Veteran-Owned Businesses (SD/VOBs).
Across every major industry, corporate America is expanding its veteran inclusion strategies — and the National Veteran Business Development Council (NVBDC) is at the center of this transformation.
As the original third-party veteran business certification recognized by the Billion Dollar Roundtable (BDR), NVBDC plays a critical role in helping corporations confidently increase and track their veteran spend. And as corporations look toward the future of supplier procurement, veterans are becoming an essential part of long-term sourcing strategy.
Here’s why.
Veteran-Owned Businesses Bring Skills Corporate America Needs
Corporations are operating in an increasingly complex environment — global disruptions, supply chain risks, workforce shortages, and shifting customer expectations are now the norm. Veteran-owned businesses provide a stabilizing force.
Veterans bring strengths that directly align with modern business needs:
- operational discipline
- logistical excellence
- leadership under pressure
- strong risk management
- adaptability and resilience
- mission-focused execution
For corporations seeking reliable, high-performing suppliers, the veteran business community offers a compelling advantage.
NVBDC Certification Gives Corporations Confidence
One of the biggest challenges historically slowing veteran spend was certification. Before NVBDC, corporations lacked a trusted, independent process to validate whether a supplier was truly veteran-owned and operated.
NVBDC changed that.
As the nation’s premier third-party certifier of VOBs/SDVOBs, NVBDC provides:
- rigorous certification
- transparent review processes
- military-grade certification standards
- confidence for procurement teams
This credibility is why the Billion Dollar Roundtable exclusively accepts NVBDC certification for tracking veteran spend — a milestone that fundamentally reshaped the future of corporate veteran inclusion.
Supplier Procurement Is Expanding Beyond Traditional Categories
For decades, supplier procurement focused primarily on minority and women-owned businesses. Today, corporations are expanding these programs to include additional segments that bring measurable value — especially veteran-owned businesses.
Corporations are increasing veteran spend because:
- companies need more competitive suppliers
- veteran businesses fill critical gaps in supply chains
- ESG and corporate responsibility goals now emphasize veterans
- internal veterans’ resource groups advocate for veteran inclusion
- the public expects companies to support those who served
Veteran-owned businesses are no longer optional partners — they are strategic assets.
The Push for Tier I, Tier II, and Tier III Accountability
Another major driver in veteran spend growth is the increased emphasis on Tier II and Tier III supplier procurement reporting.
Prime suppliers and major subcontractors are now encouraged, and sometimes required, to source from NVBDC-certified SD/VOBs. This expands veteran inclusion well beyond direct contracts and strengthens entire supply chain ecosystems.
NVBDC supports this shift by:
- educating corporates and primes
- providing certification verification
- matching SD/VOBs with Tier II opportunities
- offering Task Force networks to connect partners
As corporations strengthen accountability, veteran spend naturally increases across all tiers.
Veteran Inclusion Supports ESG, Community Impact & Workforce Alignment
Supplier procurement has become a critical component of corporate ESG strategy. Supporting veteran-owned businesses aligns directly with:
- community investment
- economic empowerment
- workforce and hiring pipelines
- corporate social responsibility goals
Consumers and stakeholders increasingly expect companies to demonstrate real, measurable support for veterans. Increasing veteran spend is one of the most impactful ways to deliver that commitment.
Global Expansion Is Opening New Avenues for Veteran Suppliers
As corporations expand globally, they need suppliers who can operate across international markets. NVBDC’s global business initiatives — including partnerships with the International Trade Administration (ITA) and Global Chamber — prepare veteran-owned companies to compete on a worldwide stage.
Veteran businesses with global readiness are in higher demand, further increasing corporate veteran spend.
Veteran Spend Is Becoming a Corporate Benchmark
Just as corporations once measured minority and women-owned spend as key indicators of supplier procurement maturity, veteran spend is increasingly recognized as a core metric of a world-class supplier procurement program.
Forward-thinking companies are already:
- establishing dedicated veteran spend goals
- integrating veteran inclusion into RFPs
- training procurement teams to source SD/VOBs
- highlighting veteran spend in ESG and impact reports
- building veteran-focused outreach strategies
NVBDC certification makes these goals auditable, credible, and measurable.
The Future Is Clear: Veteran Inclusion Is Becoming a Corporate Priority
The future of supplier procurement is strategic, data-driven, and deeply tied to social impact. Veteran-owned businesses bring unique value to corporate America — and corporations are responding by elevating veteran spend as a long-term priority.
With NVBDC certification, global initiatives, and the MVO Task Force, the veteran business community is stronger and more connected than ever.
The next era of supplier procurement will be defined by those corporations that recognize the power of veteran-owned suppliers — and act on it.
The future of supplier procurement is veteran inclusion and NVBDC is leading the way.
