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Certification Benefits

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Overview

WBENC certification is the most widely recognized and respected national certification in the U.S. for Women’s Business Enterprises (WBEs). Being certified as a woman-owned diverse supplier can open up opportunities previously inaccessible to your business.

In fact, the vast majority of Fortune 1000 corporations in the U.S. require WBENC certification before granting woman-owned businesses access to their supplier diversity programs. Being certified brings your business to corporate America’s attention.

WBEC Metro NY and Greater DMV, as a regional partner organization of WBENC, facilitates the certification process. Once you’re certified, WBEC Metro NY and Greater DMV works to ensure that your business reaps the benefits.

Why Get Certified?

Access to hundreds of top corporations looking to work with certified WBEs, educational opportunities, and the support of a highly engaged community are just a few of the benefits enjoyed by certified WBEs. Once you’re certified, we’ll provide you with opportunities to integrate your business into the supply chains of Fortune 1000 companies, win more business, and reach some of your goals.

Access

WBENC certification gives you access to a national database of top corporations with supplier diversity programs for sourcing certified WBEs. You also gain access to formal and informal opportunities to pursue business deals with Corporate Members and other WBEs through:

  • Inclusion in WBENCLink, WBENC’s online database of certified WBEs, which is accessed by our Corporate Members and other WBEs nationwide
  • Events tailored for networking with the decision makers inside corporations and other WBEs

Business Development

Business development is a primary advantage of WBENC certification, and in the experience of hundreds of WBEC Metro NY and Greater DMV members, this bottom-line benefit can be realized in a variety of ways—depending on your active participation.

In addition to gaining access to Fortune 1000 corporations seeking to do business with certified WBEs, becoming part of our vibrant WBEC Metro NY and Greater DMV regional organizations presents numerous opportunities to network and build relationships with corporate and government buyers as well as a supportive network of fellow WBEs.

For more information on WBENC Business Development programs:

Education

The ongoing development and advancement of women-owned businesses is a core mission of WBEC Metro NY and Greater DMV. As an active and vital advocate, WBEC Metro NY and Greater DMV provides certified WBEs with a variety of educational opportunities, including webinars, exclusive web content, and monthly educational and business development programs. Our members also have the opportunity to participate in WBENC’s Executive Scholarship program to learn at top business schools such as Harvard, Berkeley and Kellogg, as well as the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College.

For more information on WBENC Executive Education:

Recognition

WBENC certification is the most widely recognized third-party U.S. certification that a woman-owned business can obtain. It signifies to thousands of major corporations as well as some government entities nationwide that your business is not only woman-owned, operated and controlled, but also that you possess the dedication and drive it takes to be an active certified WBE. Certified WBEs are eligible for regional awards.

Promotion & Publicity

Becoming a certified WBE is a prestigious achievement, one that comes with a variety of privileges designed to raise your business’s profile and position you for success. These include:

  • Use of the official WBENC Certified seal and WBENC press release template
  • Opportunities to promote your business through sponsorship of national WBENC and regional WBEC Metro NY and Greater DMV events
  • Participation in WBEC Metro NY and Greater DMV committees such as the Certification Committee, Steering Committee and Awards Committee
  • Publicize your Done Deals™ with Corporate Members, other WBEs and the public sector

Advocacy

WBEC Metro NY and Greater DMV is at the forefront of ongoing developments related to the equality of women in business in the U.S., and as a certified WBE, you have a voice.

WBEC Metro NY and Greater DMV WBEs are included in this research through participation in surveys, which allow you to report on your experiences and share your opinions about the issues on the national stage.

Is my business eligible for certification?

WBENC has strict requirements in proving that a business is woman-owned, controlled, and managed before granting certification. The first criteria for a business applying for WBENC certification is the business must be majority female owned (at least 51% by one or more women).

To see if your business qualifies, review the full certification criteria.

Certification Criteria

How to Get Certified

Learn More
Vigdis Eriksen headshot

“Our status as a certified WBE gives our company access to supplier diversity departments, and if we have already won the work on merit, they champion us within their organization.”
 

Vigdis Eriksen

Founder & CEO, Eriksen Translations Inc.
Nancy Kalish headshot

"Being WBENC-Certified has given my business an enormous boost. For example, when my brand first got into Kroger, being certified allowed me to avoid $40,000 in slotting fees (the cost of getting on-shelf). Then when we couldn’t get a meeting with our buyer, the Kroger Supplier Diversity contact, whom I had met at your event in Baltimore, helped me get the meeting and attended it with us! Being certified continues to open the doors I’ve been banging on for years!"

Nancy Kalish

Founder & CEO, Rule Breaker Snacks
Krista Korinis headshot

"The WBE to WBE networking and relationships cultivated during the WPEO programs have been invaluable to the growth of our business.”

Krista Korinis

President, Global Installation Resources, LLC

Get Recertified

WBENC certification is valid for a period of one year from the date of issue, and recertification is not automatic. It is important to keep your certification current to avoid missing business opportunities. Since the recertification process can take up to 90 days, we recommend that you begin well ahead of your expiration date. Failure to recertify in a timely manner could result in your business losing its WBE status.

Learn More

Get WOSB Certified

WBEC Metro NY and Greater DMV provides Women Owned Small Business (WOSB) certification as part of the Small Business Administration (SBA)’s WOSB Federal Contracting Program. Being a certified WOSB allows WBEs to access government contracting opportunities at the federal level – directly with federal agencies and federally funded corporations. Eligible WBEs can also streamline their certification with other public sector entities through WBEC Metro NY and Greater DMV’s collaborative relationships.

Learn More