Benefits of WBE certification and WOSB certification
While there are numerous organizations that certify women-owned businesses, two of the largest are the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) and the Small Business Administration (SBA).
If your business is at least 51 percent owned, controlled, operated and managed by a woman or women, you can become Women Business Enterprise (WBE) certified by the WBENC. Certification allows access to an extensive network of support, education programs, mentorship opportunities and increased visibility in corporate and government supply chains.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) aims to award at least 5 percent of federal contracting dollars each year to women-owned small businesses (WOSB). To gain access to those contracts, your business must be WOSB registered and certified, meaning it qualifies as a small business according to the SBA standards, is at least 51 percent owned and controlled by women who are U.S. citizens and has a woman managing day-to-day operations.
M&T has resources to help your business become WBE and WOSB certified.