NaVOBA

What NaVOBA does

NaVOBA (National Veteran-Owned Business Association) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2007 and headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky. It operates as the exclusive third-party certifier of Veteran-Owned Business Enterprises (VBE) and Service-Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises (SDVBE) in the private sector, verifying that businesses are at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by U.S. military veterans through document review and on-site interviews. The organization maintains a small professional team of 8-10 staff led by President & CEO Matthew Pavelek.

The core product portfolio comprises VBE/SDVBE certification (3-year validity, $350-$2,000 revenue-tiered fees), a secure VBE Database accessible to Corporate Allies and certified members, and a Certified Shared Database that aggregates diverse supplier data across NGLCC, WBENC, NMSDC, and NaVOBA certifications. Supporting programs include the annual Joint Forces Forum (Potomac, MD), quarterly Operation Matchmaker matchmaking events, VIP Corporate Training (in-person and virtual), the Catapult 14 accelerator with Capital One sponsorship, the Marching Forward Mondays webinar series, the Veteran-Owned Shop marketplace, and the Stephen L. Tadlock $25,000 grant program administered with Founders First Capital. The Registered trademarks (Certified VBE, SDVBE, VBEOY, BCVBE) reinforce brand identity.

The business model combines four revenue streams: certification fees, Corporate Ally membership (tiered 1-4 star sponsorship levels), VIP Corporate Training registration fees and event sponsorships ($5,000-$25,000 packages), and grants from the SBA, State of Maryland, and corporate partners. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors with two-thirds corporate representation, aligning strategic direction with corporate ally needs. NaVOBA serves two primary customer segments: Fortune 500 and large corporations seeking verified veteran-owned suppliers for supplier diversity programs, and veteran-owned businesses seeking certification credibility and access to corporate procurement opportunities.

Name

NaVOBA

Legal name

The National Veteran-Owned Business Association

Website

https://navoba.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

NaVOBA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2007 that certifies Veteran-Owned Business Enterprises (VBE/SDVBE) and connects them with 135+ Corporate Allies for corporate contracting opportunities through certification, networking events, training programs, and a verified supplier database.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Lexington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. VBE/SDVBE Certification Fees: Application and processing fees based on company revenue tiers, ranging from $350 to $2,000 depending on annual revenue
2. Corporate Ally Memberships: Annual membership fees for corporations committing to veteran business inclusion, with various sponsorship levels providing different benefits and visibility
3. VIP Corporate Sponsorship: Sponsorship packages supporting the VIP Corporate training program - Patriot ($5,000), Stars and Stripes ($10,000), and Homefront Hero ($25,000)
4. Exit Strategy Program: Succession planning and entrepreneurship-through-acquisition program helping Veteran businesses transition ownership while preserving veteran-owned status

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

NaVOBA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides third-party certification for Veteran-Owned Business Enterprises (VBE) and Service-Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises (SDVBE), verifying that applicants are at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by U.S. military veterans. The organization sells annual Corporate Ally memberships to corporations committed to including veteran-owned suppliers in their procurement, and operates proprietary VBE and Certified Shared Databases that connect certified businesses with corporate procurement teams.

Product overview

NaVOBA (National Veteran-Owned Business Association) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operating as a certification and advocacy body for veteran-owned businesses in the private sector. The core offering consists of VBE and SDVBE certification programs, which set the national benchmark for verifying veteran ownership. These certifications feed into a proprietary VBE Database platform accessible to Corporate Allies. The portfolio includes networking events (Joint Forces Forum, Operation Matchmaker), training programs (VIP Corporate Training), online marketplaces (Veteran-Owned Shop), recognition awards (VBEOY, WVBEOY, BCVBE), grant programs (Stephen L. Tadlock), and the Catapult 14 accelerator. The Marching Forward Mondays series provides ongoing webinar-based education and corporate engagement. All offerings center on connecting certified veteran businesses with corporate procurement opportunities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• VBE Certification (Veteran's Business Enterprise) Third-party certification program verifying businesses are at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by U.S. military veterans. Includes document review and on-site interviews; valid for 3 years. Priced from $350 to $2,000 based on company revenue. Designed for veteran-owned businesses seeking corporate contracting opportunities.
• SDVBE Certification (Service-Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise) Certification program for businesses owned by service-disabled veterans, meeting the same 51% ownership, operation, and control standards as VBE certification. Valid for 3 years with revenue-tiered pricing from $350 to $2,000.
• Corporate Ally Membership Program Annual membership program for corporations committing to include Veteran-Owned businesses in their supply chains. Includes tiered sponsorship levels (1-4 star ratings), VBE Database access, networking events, and recognition for veteran business inclusion.
• VBE Database Secure centralized directory of Certified VBEs for protected and reliable access to the NaVOBA network. Access is limited to Corporate Allies and Certified VBEs.
• Certified Shared Database Custom aggregation of diverse supplier data from NGLCC, WBENC, NaVOBA, and NMSDC, searchable across multiple fields with export and saved search capabilities, refreshed monthly.
• Joint Forces Forum Annual curated corporate connection forum bringing Certified VBEs together with corporate decision-makers and industry leaders, held annually in Potomac, MD. Includes facilitated roundtables, executive-level discussions, and structured strategic conversations to extend beyond a single meeting.
• VIP Corporate Training In-person 3-day training program designed to prepare Certified VBEs to navigate and compete in corporate contracting. Includes hands-on instruction on procurement processes, corporate expectations, and includes registration fees of $299 (corporations), $199 (non-certified VBEs), $99 (certified VBEs).
• Operation Matchmaker Quarterly matchmaking session connecting procurement-ready VBEs directly with Corporate Allies through curated 1:1 meetings, virtual and in-person formats.
• Veteran-Owned Shop Online marketplace featuring products from Certified VBEs and SDVBEs, organized by category including Baby & Kids, Beauty & Spa, Clothing & Accessories, Food & Beverage, Home & Office, and more.
• Catapult 14 Accelerator Intensive transformational learning journey and mentorship program for veteran business owners designed to enable innovation and disruption through developing technology-driven solutions to business challenges. Sponsored by Capital One.
• Exit Strategy Program Succession planning and entrepreneurship-through-acquisition program helping Veteran-Owned businesses protect their legacy, ensure continuity, and create opportunities for future Veteran entrepreneurs. Includes both selling and purchasing pathways.
• VIP Corporate Sponsorship Sponsorship packages supporting the VIP Corporate training program with three tiers: Patriot ($5,000, supports 1 VBE), Stars and Stripes ($10,000, supports 2 VBEs), Homefront Hero ($25,000, supports 5 VBEs).
• Stephen L. Tadlock Veteran Grant $25,000 grant program administered in partnership with Founders First Capital for veteran-owned businesses with up to $5M revenue and 2-100 employees.
• Marching Forward Mondays - Education & Development Expert-led virtual webinar sessions under the Marching Forward Mondays program covering corporate contracting, procurement guidance, relationship-building strategies, and practical steps to pursue opportunities.
• Marching Forward Mondays - Corporate Engagement One-hour virtual sessions where corporate representatives provide overviews on how to contract with their company and current/future opportunities, part of the Marching Forward Mondays series.
• Veteran-Owned Logo Program Distinction logo program allowing Certified VBEs and SDVBEs to display Veteran-Owned branding on products and marketing materials to attract customers who prefer supporting veteran-owned businesses.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% re-certification rate among VBEs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Corporate Allies (135+ corporations)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerNaVOBA's core partnership network includes 135+ of the world's largest corporations committed to veteran business inclusion. These Corporate Allies span multiple industries including finance, retail, energy, manufacturing, and technology, and include founding partners like Wells Fargo, Anheuser-Busch, FedEx, USAA, ADM, Shell, Vistra, Amazon, Lowe's, JPMorgan Chase, Capital One, and Walmart.
• Founding PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding Partners are companies providing vital guidance, resources, expertise, and funding to NaVOBA's development. Includes American Airlines, Barclays, Bristol Myers Squibb, Hilton, JPMorgan Chase, Lowe's, Shell, USAA, and Vistra. These partners have made significant contributions to veterans' entrepreneurship community.
• Veterans Institute for Procurement (VIP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational training center established in 2011 offering 3-day, 27-hour in-residence programs. VIP Corporate expansion program trains veterans for commercial sector contracting. Since 2010, VIP grads have won $16.9 billion in federal prime contract awards.
• Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaunched in June 2011 at Syracuse University to serve all 25 million U.S. military Veterans. JPMorgan Chase serves as founding partner. Offers programs including Military Founders Lab - a 10-week virtual program for veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs.
• National Business Inclusion Consortium (NBIC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNaVOBA joined NBIC in 2019, collaborating with National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), Disability:IN, National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), and Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) to promote supplier development.
• Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides funding for the VIP program alongside corporate sponsorships from Lockheed Martin and grants from U.S. Small Business Administration and State of Maryland.
• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides grants supporting the VIP training program for veteran entrepreneurs.
• Founders First CapitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with NaVOBA to administer the $25,000 Stephen L. Tadlock Grant for veteran-owned businesses.
• Business Consortium Fund (BCF Capital)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner501(c)(3) nonprofit and CDFI certified by U.S. Department of Treasury. Partners with NaVOBA to provide VBEs access to financing options, and hosts educational webinars on capital raising and cash flow management.
• Capital One (Catapult Program)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCapital One sponsors the Catapult 14 program - an intensive innovation and mentorship program for veteran business owners. Applications due June 1, 2026.
• Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvide counseling and training to small businesses including business start-ups and expansion support.
• SCOREminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLargest network of free volunteer small business mentors in the nation offering mentorship for veterans at any business stage.
• APEX Accelerators (formerly PTAP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNow under DoD Office of Small Business Programs. Provides no-cost counseling and technical support for businesses competing for government contracts.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC): WBENC certifies women-owned businesses and runs a corporate member network plus supplier database—directly analogous to NaVOBA's VBE/SDVBE certification and Corporate Ally program. WBENC is also an NBIC partner, frequently sharing supplier data with NaVOBA via the Certified Shared Database.
• National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC): NGLCC is the certifying body for LGBT-owned businesses, sharing NaVOBA's third-party certification + corporate membership + supplier database model. NGLCC is an NBIC partner whose supplier data feeds NaVOBA's Certified Shared Database.
• Disability:IN: Disability:IN certifies disability-owned businesses and operates a corporate inclusion program mirroring NaVOBA's structure, including the Disability:IN Supplier Diversity program. Disability:IN is also an NBIC partner integrated with NaVOBA's Certified Shared Database.
• National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC): NMSDC is one of the leading third-party certifiers of minority-owned businesses in the U.S., operating a parallel model to NaVOBA (membership-based corporate development program, certification seal, certified supplier database, NBIC coalition partner). Both organizations certify diverse business enterprises and monetize corporate memberships for supplier inclusion.

Others

• SCORE: SCORE is the largest network of volunteer small business mentors in the U.S. and is a listed Resource Partner of NaVOBA. While not a direct competitor (it provides free mentorship rather than certification), SCORE serves overlapping veteran entrepreneur customers and influences the support ecosystem NaVOBA operates in.
• Founders First Capital Partners: Founders First Capital Partners administers the $25,000 Stephen L. Tadlock Veteran Grant with NaVOBA and focuses on funding underrepresented small businesses. It is a capital provider adjacent to NaVOBA's certification/membership business rather than a direct competitor.

Broad incumbents

• National Business Inclusion Consortium (NBIC): NBIC is the coalition of leading diverse-business certifying bodies (including NaVOBA) that jointly recognizes 'Best of the Best' corporations for inclusion. As a coordinating body for NaVOBA's peer certifiers, NBIC shapes the broader corporate supplier-diversity agenda NaVOBA participates in.
• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) - Office of Veterans Business Development: The SBA's Office of Veterans Business Development oversees VBOCs (Veterans Business Outreach Centers) and veteran small business programs and provides grants that support NaVOBA's VIP training. It is the federal-level peer operating in the same veteran business support mission.

Regional players

• Boots to Business (SBA): Boots to Business is the SBA's entrepreneurship training program for transitioning service members, operating inside the U.S. Department of Defense. It overlaps with NaVOBA's VIP and Marching Forward Mondays training offerings as a public-sector provider of veteran entrepreneurship education.

Emerging players

• Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University: IVMF is a national leader in veteran entrepreneurship programs (including Military Founders Lab) and was launched in 2011 in partnership with JPMorgan Chase—a NaVOBA founding partner. IVMF overlaps with NaVOBA in veteran business training and development, though it is more research- and university-driven rather than certification-driven.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/p/DVysU5mEavP
• Xx.com/navoba

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about NaVOBA