NaVOBA: National Veteran-Owned Business Association
NaVOBA
Eligibility
Vet-owned businesses seeking corporate supplier diversity certification.
Award
Corporate supplier-diversity certification (CVBE). Not a federal credential. 3-year term.
Deadlines
Rolling · Rolling. Roughly 90-day review from the date your file is deemed complete.
Editor's take
Veteran-owned firms selling into large corporations that run supplier-diversity programs. NaVOBA's corporate partner roster is the whole value here.
You are chasing federal contracts. NaVOBA states on its own FAQ that this certification will not help you win government work. Get SBA VetCert instead, which is free.
Proof of veteran status, ownership and control documentation, most recent annual revenue figure to determine your fee tier, and availability for an on-site interview.
Tiered application fee by most recent annual revenue, non-refundable: under $1M $350; $1M-$4.99M $550; $5M-$9.99M $800; $10M-$19.99M $1,200; $20M-$49.99M $1,500; $50M+ $2,000. Certification term is 3 years (1,095 days). A mandatory on-site interview with the veteran owner is part of the process. Brokers, agents, some franchises, and all nonprofits are disqualified.
Vet reviews of this program
Verified veteran founders who actually attended.
Nobody has reviewed NaVOBA: National Veteran-Owned Business Association yet.
Attended this program? Share what actually happened and help the next vet decide.
- •Time spent: hours in-person, hours virtual, duration in weeks, required attendance.
- •Actual benefit: cash grants received, follow-on capital raised, cost coverage, equity taken.
- •Selectivity: cohort size, acceptance rate, percent veteran or military.
- •Best parts and worst parts: up to four each, specific facts, no marketing language.
- •Truth check: was the program marketing accurate? What did they oversell or leave out?
Related programs on the Small Business path
These share at least one format type with this program and fit the same path.
SBA 8(a) Business Development Program
U.S. Small Business Administration
Socially and economically disadvantaged small business owners; 9-year program providing mentorship and access to sole-source contracts.
SBA HUBZone Program
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Business located in a HUBZone (historically underutilized) area with 35%+ HUBZone employees.
SDVOSB Certification (VetCert)
SBA Office of Veterans Business Development
Service-disabled veteran (10%+ VA rating) with 51%+ ownership and control of the business. Self-certification for federal subcontracting and goaling ended December 22, 2024 (NDAA FY2024). SBA VetCert is now the only path.