Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Certification

Is your business interested in government contracting? Has your business been in operation for at least a year? Is your business at least 51% owned and operated by a Minority or Women? Do you need assistance in moving forward?

The MWBE Certification was created to eliminate barriers that prevented MWBEs from participation in state contracts and provide MWBEs information along with resources that will increase their access to contracting opportunities.

What does it mean to be an MBE/WBE?

MBE (Minority-Owned Business Enterprise)

An MBE is a business enterprise in which at least fifty-one percent (51%) is owned, operated and controlled by citizens or permanent resident aliens who are meeting the ethnic definitions listed below:

  • Black
  • Hispanic        
  • Asian-Pacific
  • Asian-Indian Subcontinent   
  • Native American 

WBE (Women-Owned Business Enterprise)

A WBE is a business enterprise in which at least fifty-one percent (51%) is owned, operated and controlled by citizens or permanent resident aliens who are women.

The Buffalo-SBDC provides one-to-one assistance for small businesses seeking to gain participation in government contracting. The Small Business Development Center offers assistance throughout the certification and procurement process. We can assist in the following areas:

  • General Business-Development inquires
  • MWBE certification application
  • Re-certification Processes
  • MWBE resource centers and partners
  • BidLinx Registration
  • State or federal certification programs

Local, State and Federal Certifications:

  1. Joint Erie County / City of Buffalo MWBE Certification – City/Local
  2. NYS Minority / Women – Owned Business Enterprise Certification – State Wide
  3. WOSB (Women-Owned Small Business)- Federal
  4. 8 (a) Business Development Program – Federal
  5. SDVOSB (Service-Disabled / Veteran-Owned Small Business) Certification – Federal / State
  6. VOSB (Veteran Owned Small Business) – Vetbiz.Gov
  7. DBE (Disadvantage Business Enterprises) – Federal
  8. SDB (Small Disadvantaged Business) – Federal
  9. HubZone Certification (Historically Underutilized Business Zones) – Federal