Same Mission. Greater Impact. How NVBDC 3.0 is expanding opportunities for veteran-owned businesses and sharing its progress.
The National Veteran Business Development Council (NVBDC) has earned the Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid, the highest of Candid’s four transparency designations. The recognition comes as NVBDC 3.0 expands practical training, mentorship, corporate matchmaking, and export readiness support for veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses.
What Candid’s Platinum Seal of Transparency means
Candid’s Platinum Seal recognizes nonprofits that publicly share their goals, strategies, and recent measures of progress. The Platinum requirements build on earlier disclosures about programs, leadership, and finances. For NVBDC’s certified businesses, corporate members, and partners, this information makes it easier to see what we’re working toward and how we track progress.
How NVBDC 3.0 helps veteran-owned businesses compete
Introduced at the 2026 MISSION: POSSIBLE National Conference in Detroit, NVBDC 3.0 builds on our core work of verifying eligible veteran ownership and control. Certification gives procurement teams a way to identify qualified veteran-owned suppliers. Our services help owners prepare for the work that follows, from writing a capability statement to discussing sourcing needs in a one-on-one buyer meeting. Read about the launch of NVBDC 3.0.
Services Committee webinars and supplier readiness
- JumpStart Series. Get oriented to certification and hear directly from corporate presenters about their supplier programs and registration processes. Recorded sessions feature companies including Target, Pfizer, and Sysco. Explore JumpStart.
- Welcome Aboard. Newly certified owners can learn how to use their certification and find NVBDC resources that fit their business goals. Explore Welcome Aboard.
- Services Learning Forum. Learn what buyers want to know about your business, how to improve your capability statement, and how to prepare for networking and matchmaking. Watch Learning Forum webinars.
- Digital Readiness. Start with Marketing 101 or explore the AI Advantage 101 and 201 sessions, cybersecurity training, and workshops on private-sector capability statements. Explore Digital Readiness resources.
Mentorship and corporate matchmaking
Veteran-to-veteran mentorship gives owners a chance to learn from peers who have faced similar growth decisions, such as preparing to serve a larger customer or choosing which markets to pursue. Through NVBDC’s Supplier Mentoring Program, eligible certified businesses can also work with experienced corporate procurement leaders in a structured 12-month program. Corporate matchmaking offers another way to put that preparation to work by introducing your business, learning what buyers need, and identifying a next step after the meeting. Learn about the Supplier Mentoring Program.
International initiatives and export readiness
If your business is considering its first international customer or preparing to enter another market, NVBDC’s international initiatives can help you assess export readiness, identify potential markets, and find relevant trade resources. Export 101 starts with questions about your product or service, your capacity to serve customers abroad, and how you would reach them. Explore the Export 101 materials.
NVBDC collaborates with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the International Trade Administration (ITA), the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM), and Global Chamber. The Services Committee has also hosted EXIM export readiness training for businesses looking to understand the financing side of international sales. Depending on where you are in the process, these resources can help you find export counseling, explore trade events, connect with international business networks, or learn how export credit insurance and working capital support can help you manage the risks of selling overseas. Explore NVBDC’s global events and trade resources.
How corporate members can get involved
Corporate membership gives procurement teams opportunities to meet certified veteran-owned suppliers and learn how those businesses could meet their sourcing needs. Members can also help entrepreneurs prepare for procurement opportunities by speaking at a JumpStart webinar, participating in matchmaking, or serving as a supplier mentor. Explore NVBDC Corporate Membership.
Take the next step with NVBDC
If you own a veteran-owned or service-disabled veteran-owned business, start your NVBDC certification application. If you’re already certified, explore NVBDC Services webinars and programs. If you lead corporate sourcing or supplier development, learn how to become an NVBDC corporate member.
