National Membership

WBENC is dedicated to advancing the success of its network of entrepreneurs and National Members, in partnership with its Regional Partner Organizations.

WBENC works to foster inclusion in the world of commerce. Our programs and policies are designed to expand opportunities and eliminate barriers in the marketplace for all entrepreneurs, with an emphasis on the unique challenges faced by women business owners. WBENC works with its network to encourage the use and expansion of Business Inclusion Programs to further economic and community impact.

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Corporations, government agencies, and non-profit organizations that are seeking to do business with entrepreneurs as suppliers are eligible to become WBENC National Members.

National Membership with WBENC provides you not only with unlimited national access to 21,000+ Certified WBEs and WOSBs** to fulfill your contracting needs, but you will also work directly with us to receive the tools and resources needed to build the type of Business Inclusion Program that best fits your company’s needs. From a strong traditional program, to an advanced or world class program, the programs and services offered through your National Member Benefits will help you achieve this goal. As a new Member, your company joins over 500 major corporations, government agencies, and nonprofit entities that have discovered the value of including entrepreneurs in their vendor pool.

Yes, guidance is provided in a number of ways from one-on-one meetings, peer-to-peer sessions, and educational programming, the WBENC Network is prepared to assist you with the creation, implementation, and best practice sharing of your Business Inclusion Program.

WBENC offers many high visibility opportunities for participation. Two-thirds of WBENC’s Board seats are held by corporations, and corporate representatives are eligible to serve on standing committees of the Board. National Members are also eligible to sponsor WBENC programs and events, participate in procurement opportunity connections, and serve as SMEs and mentors to our network of entrepreneurs.

Yes, sponsorship is available for events and programs. Notable opportunities include our annual WBENC National Conference, the largest conference for WBEs in the country, held each year in June; various WBENC programs and opportunities; the Dorothy B. Brothers Executive Scholarship Program; WBENC publications and many others, all offering significant visibility, educational, and branding opportunities. In addition to the events and programs listed above, WBENC also undertakes research and other special projects each year, each with well-established benefits and attractive outreach opportunities.

Please contact valuedsponsors@wbenc.org for more information.

WBENC provides a national standard for the certification of women-owned companies. Our 14 Regional Partner Organizations implement this standard utilizing professional staff and trained volunteer certification committees. The process begins when a woman applies through the WBENCLink2.0 website. After completion of the online application, she must then submit the required documents to complete her file and send it to the designated Regional Partner Organization. A regional Certification Review Committee reviews the file and directs the next step, a site visit, be conducted.

The Certification Review Committee outlines specific questions for the site visit, and the result of the site visit is reported during the next monthly Certification Review Committee meeting. If the file review and site visit have led the committee to determine that the business meets all of WBENC’s criteria, certification as a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) will be issued. While approximately 23% of applications are denied, an appeal process is in place that provides a review at both the regional and, if appropriate, the national level.

National Members can track a WBE through the certification process, access, and download a PDF version of the WBE Certificate via WBENCLink2.0, the WBENC online database of WBEs. The national Board of Directors’ Certification Committee maintains the standards. WBENC oversees the standards and training for Certification Committee members and Regional Partner Organization program staff. WBENC staff conduct an annual audit of each Regional Partner Organization’s processes to ensure that each is following the WBENC certification standards.

As of January 2025, there are over 21,000 Certified WBEs in WBENCLink2.0. As the Certification process addresses extensive criteria, many applicants do not meet WBENC’s thorough requirements and do not complete the process.

** Please note, all Members must adhere to the WBENC Terms & Conditions to access WBENCLink 2.0.

There are 14 Regional Partner Organizations located around the country. Together, they cover all 50 states and U.S. Territories. The following is a list of the states covered by WBENC’s Regional Partner Organizations. Click here to view an interactive Regional Partner Organization Territory map. 

A detailed listing of presidents/executive directors of the organizations is included on the Regional Partner Organization webpage. In addition to conducting WBENC certification, many of the Regional Partner Organizations offer separately funded programs designed to help women establish and grow businesses. Others only handle certification, provide local Women’s Enterprise Leadership Forums, and host events to connect buyers and WBE suppliers. WBENC has a Designation Agreement with each Regional Partner Organization that details the relationship and the territory covered.