WBENC Certification is a pathway to new business opportunities.
Benefits of WBENC Certification include:
- Access to supplier diversity and procurement executives at hundreds of major U.S. corporations and federal, state, and local government entities that accept WBENC Certification.
- Formal and informal opportunities to pursue business with Corporate and Government Members, as well as other WBENC-Certified WBEs.
- Access to networking events and programs, procurement opportunities, mentoring, executive education, capacity development programs, and other business tools and resources.
- Eligibility for regional and national awards and recognition.
- Use of Women Owned Logo and Women’s Business Enterprise Seal as a marketing tool to promote your business and expand your company’s visibility.
- Community of support from other female business owners and like-minded professionals all dedicated to the growth and success of women-owned businesses.
Being WBENC certified has opened my world to a cornucopia of interesting and supportive women I’d have never met otherwise. Their wisdom and insight have helped me navigate the endless obstacles and frustrations in running my company, making me a more effective leader. Some are among my suppliers, with whom I collaborate and share as a sounding board. Professionally, the certification has opened doors that would otherwise NEVER have been open to me. The certification lends credibility and a seriousness of purpose that buyers recognize and show interest.
Beverlee Dacey
President, Amodex Products Inc
I have befriended many incredible mentors, allies, clients, and colleagues through this community. Being a part of this network also helped me learn how to build my business and my unique value proposition. At each event, I walk away with deepened friendships and new business knowledge that help me achieve my company’s mission of unlocking creativity worldwide.
Monica Kang
Founder & CEO, InnovatorsBox
Companies are increasingly recognizing the value of operating as a CSR entity. As part of that, there is an increasing push to invest in strategic partners that are diverse. Being WBENC certified business provides Accel with the credentials that companies know, trust and want to do business with. It opens doors, builds relationships and drives confidence in the marketplace.
Tara Abraham
Chairwoman, Accel Inc.
Access to Corporations
WBENC Certification gives you access to a national database of corporations and government entities with supplier diversity programs who are seeking to do business with certified women-owned businesses.
You also gain access to formal and informal opportunities to pursue business deals with corporations and other women-owned businesses through:
- Inclusion in WBENCLink2.0, our online network database of WBENC-Certified Women’s Business Enterprises, accessed by WBENC Corporate and Government Members nationwide.
- Access to a current list of supplier diversity and procurement contacts for WBENC Corporate and Government Members, organizations who join WBENC specifically to access and support women-owned businesses.
- Networking events designed to spark business opportunities between women-owned businesses and major corporations, as well as between WBEs.
View Corporate Member List
Education & Development
As a WBENC-Certified WBE, you have access to exclusive programs and resources designed to help you and your business grow and thrive. This includes:
- Tailored educational programming to support capacity development
- Business and leadership development programs
- Sponsorships to attend leading executive education programs
- Mentorship
- Content and resources for all industries and stages of entrepreneurship
WBEs have access to opportunities across the country through WBENC nationally, and through our our network of Regional Partner Organizations.
View Programs
Recognition & Status
WBENC Certification is the most widely recognized and respected national certification in the U.S. for women-owned businesses. As such, becoming a WBENC-Certified WBE is a prestigious achievement, one that comes with a variety of privileges designed to raise your business profile and position you for success, including:
- Use of the WBE Seal on your marketing materials, which identifies your business as WBENC-Certified.
- Use of consumer-friendly Women Owned Logo for retail packaging and other direct-to-consumer marketing.
- Opportunities to promote your business within the WBENC network through sponsorship and participation in national and regional events, contributions to the WBENC blog, speaking opportunities, and more.
- Eligibility for several regional and national awards, including the WBE Star Award.
- Opportunity to participate in regional and national committees, including the Women’s Enterprise Forum.
Advocacy & Support
As a WBENC-Certified WBE, you are a part of a network of likeminded business leaders all dedicated to the development, growth, and success of women-owned businesses. Join our network to:
- Connect with fellow women entrepreneurs and advocates from around the country virtually and in-person through national and regional events.
- Use your voice to help us continue to eliminate barriers for women-owned businesses that thwart success and economic growth.
- Participate in forums, committees, surveys, and more to help advise on the key issues facing women business owners today.
