Jeff Shuford Jeff Shuford

HarvardX Strong: Leading National Invest In Veterans Week® into a New Era

Excerpt: Harvard Leadership and the Future of Veteran Entrepreneurship

As President & CFO of National Invest In Veterans Week® (NIVW), I have the privilege of leading one of the most impactful veteran entrepreneurship initiatives in the world. My experience at HarvardX’s "Technology Entrepreneurship: Lab to Market" has provided me with a structured framework to scale innovation, financial sustainability, and long-term economic impact.

Harvard Business School’s Professor Karim R. Lakhani and Professor Vish Krishnan emphasized that entrepreneurship isn’t just about ideas—it’s about execution, market fit, and sustainable growth. Their insights have directly influenced how I approach building a scalable, financially strong, and globally recognized NIVW.

With a multi-generational vision, I am ensuring that NIVW’s leadership, economic strategy, and national influence continue to expand. By applying HarvardX methodologies and leveraging institutional partnerships—such as our work with Live Oak Bank, New York Life Investments, and Congressional leaders—NIVW is evolving into a sustainable force for veteran business success.

Further Reading & Resources:

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National Invest In Veterans Week® Market Reach and Demographic Report
Jeff Shuford Jeff Shuford

National Invest In Veterans Week® Market Reach and Demographic Report

National Invest In Veterans Week®: Empowering 4.4 Million U.S. Veterans

National Invest In Veterans Week® (NIVW) connects 4.4 million veterans across 14 U.S. states with resources, funding, and mentorship to foster economic growth and innovation. Through state-specific platforms like FloridaVeterans.com and PennsylvaniaVeterans.com, NIVW serves veterans in high-impact regions, including 1.4 million veterans in Florida and 731,400 in Pennsylvania.

With veteran-owned businesses generating $1.2 trillion annually, NIVW is driving a 25% projected increase in veteran-led startups by 2030 while creating 1.5 million new jobs. These initiatives, coupled with the innovative π (Pledge to Invest) = Veteran Businesses℠ platform, ensure veterans thrive in transformative industries like AI, renewable energy, and cybersecurity.

Explore how NIVW is transforming veteran entrepreneurship: National Invest In Veterans Week®.

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🫡 Meet the Team

  • LTC Rickey L. Pope USA, Ret.

    CO-FOUNDER | Retired Army Veteran, Retired Firefighter

  • Jim Freeman of The Five Satins

    GRAMMY Hall of Famer | Brand Ambassador

  • Pastor Ron Henson

    Social Impact Advisor | Navy Veteran

  • Jeff Shuford

    CO-FOUNDER | Iraq War Veteran & Military Spouse

  • Drayton Florence

    CO-FOUNDER | NFL Veteran & Military Brat

  • Erik M. Pelton & Associates, PLLC

    Trademark Attorney | Veteran IP Advocate

  • Angel Shuford, REALTOR®, MRP

    Chief Financial Officer (CFO) | Army Veteran

  • CPT Sherman WIlliams, USA, Ret.

    Advisor | Retired Army Veteran

  • Brandon Sugar

    Legacy UX/UI Designer | Army Veteran

  • Mike Bicek

    Creative Director | Army Veteran

  • Private Jewel

    Co-Founders Pup | Biewer Terrier

  • Lonnell McCall I

    Sr. Spokesperson | Retired Navy Veteran

  • Celeste Everett

    Legacy IT Consultant | Army Veteran

  • Lonnell McCall II

    Jr. Spokesperson | Military Brat

  • Christopher B. Mueller

    Lead Video Spokesperson | Veteran Advocate