The National Veteran Business Development Council (NVBDC) has been named one of the Global Best Companies to Watch in 2025 by The Silicon Review, a leading global business and technology publication. This distinction celebrates NVBDC’s transformative impact on the national economy, its groundbreaking work in veteran business certification, and its rapid expansion into international trade support.
As the original gold standard in third-party certification for Service-Disabled and Veteran-Owned Businesses (SD/VOBs), NVBDC has revolutionized how veteran entrepreneurs access corporate and government procurement opportunities. The organization’s inclusion in this prestigious list affirms its role as a powerhouse in supplier diversity, economic inclusion, and veteran empowerment.
“This recognition from The Silicon Review validates more than a decade of commitment to elevating veteran-owned businesses,” said Keith King, NVBDC Founder and CEO. “We’re building more than a certification process—we’re building a movement of economic opportunity, access, and growth for our nation’s heroes.”
Certified. Trusted. Proven.
NVBDC is the original and only veteran business certification recognized by the Billion Dollar Roundtable (BDR)—an elite group of U.S. corporations each spending over $1 billion annually with diverse suppliers. This exclusive recognition has driven measurable results:
- $4.3 billion in corporate contracts and expenditures with NVBDC-certified businesses in 2023 alone
- A cumulative $6.7 billion economic impact, as reported by BDR’s 2023 Economic Impact Report
- More than 4,000 certified veteran-owned businesses, connected with 200+ major corporations
These figures represent more than statistics—they reflect lives changed, businesses scaled, and opportunities realized for veterans across the U.S.
NVBDC’s certification process doesn’t just serve veterans; it serves a diverse, multicultural community of veteran entrepreneurs. The organization subsidizes certification fees for those in financial need, ensuring that no qualified veteran is turned away due to cost.
Through this commitment, NVBDC supports veteran business owners of all ethnicities, backgrounds, industries, and experiences, building a nationwide ecosystem rooted in access, opportunitiy, and real economic mobility.
Led by Veterans, Driven by Purpose
Behind NVBDC’s success is a powerhouse leadership team:
- Keith King, Founder and CEO, is a Vietnam veteran and former media executive (ABC, CBS, Viacom) who also helped author Michigan’s SDVOB legislation (Act No. 91 of 2005), which has since driven over $90 million in state-level contracts.
- Brigadier General (Ret) Dick Miller, NVBDC President, has overseen the certification of over 3,000 businesses. A decorated combat veteran and former senior military advisor in Afghanistan, General Miller also leads the Association of the United States Army’s 2nd Region.
- John Taylor, board member and global supply chain expert, has leveraged international experience at Delphi and extensive knowledge of supplier diversity to guide veteran entrepreneurs into Fortune 500 procurement channels.
- Annette Stevenson, Army veteran and supplier diversity consultant, brings over 25 years of procurement leadership, including long-standing contributions to the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) and SBA.
- Tammi Hart, of Tenneco and the NVBDC Certification Committee, adds global sourcing expertise, ensuring VOBs are procurement-ready and compliant with major corporate standards.
Together, this veteran-led team has created a rigorous, effective, and deeply human certification process—delivering measurable results while honoring the service and sacrifices of America’s veterans.
The Power of NVBDC’s Staff and Systems
At NVBDC’s core is a dedicated team that supports veterans beyond paperwork—helping businesses understand supplier diversity requirements, write capability statements, prepare for matchmaking, and win contracts. Through their daily efforts, NVBDC staff have helped thousands of VOBs achieve visibility and success in the supply chain.
The recently upgraded Veteran-Owned Certification System (VOCS) represents a leap forward in functionality and empowerment. Key enhancements include:
- Success Story Integration
- Introductory Video Uploads
- Expanded Certification and Award Listings
- Enhanced Search Tools for Buyers
- Supplier Profile Optimization with Personal Coaching
This technology isn’t just a back-end upgrade—it’s a front-end game changer that ensures veterans can compete with confidence.
Bold International Vision: Expanding Veteran-Owned Businesses Globally
In 2024, NVBDC signed a historic partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA)—becoming the first veteran-focused certification body in the nation to do so. This alliance has opened the door for SD/VOBs to access global markets through export assistance, trade finance education, and direct matchmaking.
In May 2025, NVBDC convened top leaders from the Export-Import Bank (EXIM) and Small Business Administration (SBA) to build a roadmap for global expansion. Veteran-owned businesses now benefit from:
- Exporting education webinars (offered twice for wider access)
- Custom trade finance support
- Global Commerce Symposiums launching in 2025
- Strategic partnerships with USTDA, USCS, ITCF, and Export Assistance Centers
- Strategic partnerships with SBA and EXIM Bank
“We’re here to level the playing field—at home and around the world,” said Keith King. “The global economy is no longer out of reach for certified veteran entrepreneurs.”
Building a National Movement: The MVO Task Force
NVBDC’s Military & Veteran Organization (MVO) Task Force hit a new milestone in 2025, welcoming its 80th member organization. This coalition unites military nonprofits, veteran service organizations, and business networks to educate, certify, and empower SD/VOBs across the country.
These 80+ organizations serve as boots-on-the-ground champions for certification—providing mentorship, access, and advocacy. Through new partnerships with ITA, the Task Force is now extending its reach internationally, reinforcing the message that veteran-owned businesses belong in every market and every supply chain.
What’s Ahead in 2025
NVBDC’s strategic vision for the remainder of 2025 includes:
- National Veteran Business Matchmaking Event (Oct. 29–30, Spartanburg, SC)
Featuring a Veteran Marketplace, Vets Night Out, and direct corporate-veteran procurement engagements. - Scholarship Expansion for JROTC Cadets
Following a successful 2024 in partnership with Denny’s HFE, NVBDC plans to grow its scholarship footprint and cultivate the next generation of veteran leaders. - AI Tools & Training for Veteran Businesses
A new online course teaching certified SD/VOBs how to leverage artificial intelligence for marketing, outreach, and proposal writing. - Ongoing VOCS Platform Expansion
Including even deeper customization, analytics, and matchmaking integrations.
NVBDC’s inclusion in The Silicon Review’s Global Best Companies to Watch in 2025 affirms its leadership on the national and global stage. With a powerful mission, world-class leadership, scalable systems, and a growing network of corporate partners, NVBDC is defining the future of supplier diversity—where veterans lead, innovate, and thrive.
