Peter Cifichiello Discusses the Rise of Veteran Entrepreneurs in Worcester Business Journal Feature

November 12, 2025

More military veterans are starting and acquiring businesses across Massachusetts, especially as post-9/11 service members continue to transition into civilian life. Currently, there are 445 certified veteran-owned businesses in the state. Yet, many veterans in Central Massachusetts are calling for additional support, emphasizing the need for more resources to help their businesses grow.

Peter Cifichiello, a U.S. Navy veteran and partner at the firm, works with veterans who are launching or purchasing businesses. He recently spoke with the Worcester Business Journal for its inaugural Focus on Veterans in Business issue, published in November 2025.

Peter notes that an increasing number of veterans are becoming entrepreneurs.

“There has been a big cultural push in the veteran community of being a veteran startup founder, and it was very appealing,” he states. “Being your own boss, starting your own business, and building your company as you want to build it, and getting like-minded people into an organization that all share that vision, that’s all very appealing to a military person or that mindset.”

He also points out that buying an existing business can be a strategic way for veterans to move into ownership roles more quickly.

Peter’s advice to veteran business owners is to research existing support programs and ensure all paperwork is in order, which may enable certification as a service-disabled veteran-owned business – a designation that allows for greater access to federal contracting dollars.

Continue reading “The next mission” in the Worcester Business Journal’s Focus on Veterans in Business issue, pages 12–13.