IVMF Celebrates National Veterans Small Business Week

Every November, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) celebrates National Veterans Small Business Week, honoring the veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and military spouses who own and grow small businesses across the country. Now in its 13th year, the 2026 observance runs November 9 to 13, with in-person and virtual events hosted by the SBA and its partner network to connect military-connected entrepreneurs with the resources, training, and opportunities available to them.

We’re proud to stand with the SBA to celebrate National Veterans Small Business Week and the founders that it honors.

Syracuse University’s D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families’ (IVMF) work with the founder community can be traced back to 2007, when we launched our first Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV). Since then, IVMF has impacted more than 100,000 veterans and military family members, providing them with the education, community, and contacts to launch, grow, and scale their businesses. Many are founders we’ve known from their first business plan through their fastest years of growth. 

The Impact of Veteran-Owned Businesses

Veteran-owned businesses are a major force in the American economy. According to the SBA Office of Advocacy, veterans were the majority owners of more than 1.6 million U.S. firms in 2022, and those firms employed nearly 3.2 million workers. In 2021, veteran-owned firms generated nearly $1 trillion in sales and paid nearly $180 billion in payroll.

Behind those numbers are founders who bring the skills they built on military installations to every company they lead. They plan for contingencies, lead teams under pressure, and follow through until the job is done. Military spouses build businesses that move with them from one duty station to the next, often creating flexible work for other spouses along the way.

Growth doesn’t usually happen in isolation. When we ask IVMF alumni what moved their businesses forward, they point again and again to the people around them—mentors who had been there before, peers who understood their challenges, and introductions that came at the right moment. 

Join us in celebrating these military-connected entrepreneurs during National Veterans Small Business Week. 

NVSBW at the IVMF

Monday, November 9th

A Seat at the Table

IVMF begins National Veterans Small Business Week in Washington, D.C., working with the U.S. Small Business Administration to advocate for veteran entrepreneurs. We’ll also look at how IVMF, the SBA, and partner organizations can better serve veteran and military-connected business owners
Find Your Local NVSBW Event
Tuesday, November 10th

The D'Aniello IVMF Holiday Gift Guide

There’s a founder behind every gift in this year’s Holiday Gift Guide, launching Tuesday. Inside, you’ll meet 72 veterans, military spouses, and military family members from across the IVMF community, with gifts ranging from small-batch coffee to leather bags, and even treats for the family dog. Spend some of your holiday shopping dollars in the military community with IVMF’s Holiday Gift Guide.

Happy 251st Birthday, Marine Corps

For 251 years, the Marine Corps has served with honor in combat theaters around the world. To celebrate, we’re sharing an interview with a Marine Corps veteran who is also one of this year’s ‘CUSE50 Honorees. 
2026 Holiday Gift Guide Ramos
Wednesday, November 11th

Happy Veterans Day From IVMF

Veterans Day is an opportunity to recognize not only the service of our nation’s veterans, but also the many ways they continue to lead, contribute, and create impact in their lives after service.

IVMF is marking the occasion with a special message celebrating veterans and the contributions they make to businesses, workplaces, and communities across the country.

Watch the message on IVMF’s LinkedIn or YouTube channels.
Thursday, November 12th

IVMF’s ‘CUSE50 Honorees

Syracuse University’s ’CUSE50 Alumni Entrepreneur Award recognizes the 50 fastest-growing businesses owned or led by Syracuse alumni anywhere in the world. This year, 11 of those businesses belong to IVMF program alumni, veteran and military-connected founders, whose companies competed with the entire Orange alumni network to earn their place
Meet The 'CUSE50
Friday, November 13th

The Vet 100 & IVMF’s Veteran Entrepreneurship Resources

We close the week with two things every growing business can use, practical guidance and proof of what’s possible. 

Our Veteran Entrepreneur Resources page gathers a curated selection of IVMF’s most useful tools and guides in one place.

 We’re also announcing this year’s Vet100, the list of the nation’s fastest-growing veteran-owned businesses created in partnership with Inc. from their Inc. 5000 list.
Vet100 Entrepreneur Resources

Building a Business?

Whether you’re a veteran or military spouse running an established company, launching something new, or obsessed with a new business idea, IVMF has a program built for where you are. Our entrepreneurship programs give you the training, tools, and community to move your business forward with confidence, alongside fellow veteran and military spouse founders. 

IVMF Programs

Join Our Mission

Every IVMF program is made possible by partners and supporters who believe every veteran deserves the opportunity to live their very best life following their service. Your gift helps them get the training, connections, and resources to grow their business. With your help, IVMF can do even more. 

Support IVMF