Benefits of Certification

The Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) provides the most widely recognized and respected certification in the United States for Women's Business Enterprises (WBE). Through the Greater Women's Business Council (GWBC®), a partner organization of the WBENC, your business can apply for this certification, which is accepted by more than 1000 major corporations, non-profit organizations, and many local, state, and federal government agencies. WBENC certification is an important marketing tool for expanding your company's visibility among and access to decision makers in supplier diversity and procurement offices. Many corporations require that you be WBENC certified before providing access to their supplier diversity programs.

As a certified WBE, you're entitled to many valuable benefits that can contribute to the success of your business. Benefits include:

Your business profile listed in WBENCLink, an internet database that is accessed by hundreds of corporations throughout the United States
Access to a directory of corporations accepting WBENC certification
A special WBENC seal to use on your letterhead, business cards, and other marketing materials
Participation in networking events, matchmaker meetings and trade shows with other WBEs, and corporate and government buyers
Membership in the local Forum, which advocates on behalf of WBEs and facilitates corporate business opportunities

WBENC also offers other exclusive initiatives for WBEs:

Scholarships for executive management programs, including the TUCK/WBENC Executive Management Program and the nation's largest conference and business fair for WBEs called WBENC Summit & Salute.

Certification Criteria
To become a WBE, your business must meet the following criteria:

Have at least fifty-one percent ownership by a woman or women
Provide proof of effective management and control of the business
Provide documented evidence of contribution of capital and/or expertise
Have U.S. citizenship or Legal Resident Alien status

GWBC® maintains a stringent screening process under the guidelines of The Women's Business Enterprise National Council’s (WBENC), Standards & Procedures, which ensures that all firms are legitimately owned, managed and controlled by women. All applicants are encouraged to read these Standards & Procedures.

WOSB Certification:
The Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) has announced that the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved WBENC as a Third Party Certifier for Women Owned Small Business (WOSB) certification as part of the United States SBA's WOSB Federal Contracting Program. For more information, click here.

GWBC® is committed to supporting its certified WBEs in growing their business by coordinating networking events

To remain a certified Women Business Enterprise of WBENC, annual recertification is a requirement. This will ensure continuity of your certified status.

Get Recertified