North Central Minority Supplier Development Council

What North Central Minority Supplier Development Council does

North Central Minority Supplier Development Council (NCMSDC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit regional affiliate of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), founded in 1975 and headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The organization serves five states — Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin — by certifying minority-owned businesses (MBEs) and connecting them with corporate and government members for supplier diversity programs. Over 40 corporations and government entities partner with NCMSDC to access a network of certified minority suppliers, while MBEs gain visibility and contracting opportunities through certification and matchmaking services.

NCMSDC's core offerings include MBE certification (verifying 51%+ minority ownership under U.S. citizenship criteria across Asian Pacific, Asian Indian, Black, Hispanic, and Native American categories), a searchable MBE Database via The NMSDC Hub with AI-integrated search functionality, the Wisconsin MBDA Business Center (funded by a $1.61 million U.S. Department of Commerce grant), an Access to Capital Program partnering with Playbook Investors Network to facilitate $25 million in capital deployment to mid-market MBEs, and corporate membership programs that include supplier diversity consulting and networking events. The organization also operates within the broader NMSDC national network, which collectively represents 16,000+ certified MBEs contributing $482.1 billion in economic impact and supporting 1.8 million jobs.

Revenue is generated through four primary streams: corporate membership fees, MBE certification and recertification fees processed through The NMSDC Hub, federal grants (notably from the Minority Business Development Agency), and donations/sponsorships. The organization operates with a lean team of 1-10 employees, relying on its regional affiliate status and national network for scale. Recent strategic activity has focused on leadership stabilization (new CEO Jason M. Holton appointed June 2025, new Board Chair Lorenzo Bell appointed August 2024), federal grant-funded program expansion, and capital access partnerships to deepen economic outcomes for certified MBEs.

Name

North Central Minority Supplier Development Council

Legal name

North Central Minority Supplier Development Council

Website

https://northcentralmsdc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

North Central Minority Supplier Development Council (NCMSDC) is a non-profit regional affiliate of NMSDC that certifies minority-owned businesses and connects them with corporate and government members for supplier diversity programs across Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Minneapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Corporate Membership Fees: Corporations pay membership fees to join NCMSDC and gain access to certified minority business enterprises for supplier diversity programs.
2. Federal Grants: NCMSDC receives federal funding, including a $1.61 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce to establish Wisconsin's first minority business development center.
3. MBE Certification Fees: Minority Business Enterprises pay fees for certification and recertification through The NMSDC Hub platform.
4. Donations and Sponsorships: The organization accepts donations and partnership sponsorships to support programs and events.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

NCMSDC is a non-profit regional affiliate of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) that certifies Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and connects them with corporate members and government entities for supplier diversity opportunities. The organization delivers MBE certification services through The NMSDC Hub platform, operates the Wisconsin MBDA Business Center for minority business development, and runs an Access to Capital Program partnering with financial networks to help MBEs secure funding. Corporate members gain access to a searchable MBE database and tailored supplier diversity consulting.

Product overview

NCMSDC is a non-profit organization that provides a suite of interconnected services focused on minority business development. The core offerings include MBE Certification (verifying 51%+ minority ownership through The NMSDC Hub), a searchable MBE Database with AI-integrated search for supplier discovery, the Wisconsin MBDA Business Center (funded by a $1.61M federal grant), and an Access to Capital Program partnering with Playbook Investors Network to help MBEs secure funding. The organization also offers Corporate Membership for supplier diversity, organizes major conferences and events, and provides access to the Business Consortium Fund and Growth Initiative Certification. Together, these services create a complete ecosystem connecting certified minority-owned businesses with corporate members, government entities, and capital opportunities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MBE Certification Certification program verifying at least 51% minority ownership and management by U.S. citizens who are Asian Pacific, Asian Indian, Black, Hispanic, or Native American; connects certified MBEs with corporate members and is administered through The NMSDC Hub online platform.
• MBE Database (The NMSDC Hub) A searchable online database of certified MBEs where MBEs can build profiles with video, capability statements, and AI-integrated search; corporations and other MBEs use it to find potential suppliers.
• Wisconsin MBDA Business Center A dedicated business development center operated by NCMSDC providing minority-owned businesses with access to resources that drive growth, profitability, and sustainability; funded by a $1.61 million U.S. Department of Commerce grant.
• Access to Capital Program Program that provides mid-market MBEs generating $10M+ in annual revenue with tools, resources, and funding connections; partners with Playbook Investors Network to offer term loans, SBA loans, equipment loans, lines of credit, accounts receivable financing, and equity investment.
• Corporate Membership Program Program for corporations and government entities to join the NCMSDC network of over 40 members, gaining access to certified minority suppliers and supplier diversity consulting services.
• NCMSDC Events and Conferences Events including the largest U.S. conferences focused on minority business development where MBEs can present themselves to hundreds of prospective buyers, government agencies, and procurement professionals.
• Growth Initiative Certification Certification program for high-growth MBEs, part of NMSDC's business life cycle development initiatives for minority enterprises scaling their operations.

Quantifiable outcome

• $25 Million Capital Access Goal - Wisconsin MBDA Center and Playbook Investors Network partnership aims to help MBEs secure $25 million in capital
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers19 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Playbook Investors Network (PIN)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 January 2025Wisconsin MBDA Business Center (operated by NCMSDC) partnered with Playbook Investors Network to launch an Access to Capital Program for mid-market MBEs generating $10M+ in annual revenue. The program aims to help MBEs secure $25 million in capital through PIN's network of financial institutions and investors, providing term loans, SBA loans, equipment loans, lines of credit, accounts receivable financing, and equity investment opportunities.
• National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 September 2024NCMSDC is one of 23 Regional Affiliate Councils of NMSDC, the national organization connecting minority businesses with corporations and government entities. The affiliation provides access to NMSDC's network of 16,000+ certified MBEs, conferences, certification systems, and advocacy efforts.
• Capital Region Minority Supplier Development CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 September 2024Partnership among the 23 Regional Affiliate Councils for advocacy efforts, including Day-On-The-Hill meetings with legislators to advocate for minority-owned businesses and DEI program protection.
• Other Regional Affiliate CouncilsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 September 2024NCMSDC collaborates with 22 other regional affiliate councils of NMSDC including Pacific Southwest MSDC, NY/NJ MSDC, and others for policy advocacy and economic development initiatives.
• U.S. Department of CommercecoreOthers · 19 December 2022NCMSDC received a $1.61 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce to establish Wisconsin's first minority business development center. This initiative aims to improve access to contracts, capital, and markets for minority-owned businesses in Wisconsin.
• Minnesota Department of AgriculturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrog Tree Farm (certified MBE) partnered with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to increase the number of Emerging Farmers in the state, growing Black farmers from 39 to over 150.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• WEConnect International: Global non-profit certifying women-owned businesses and connecting them with corporate members. NCMSDC Board Chair Lorenzo Bell previously served on its board, indicating active peer overlap. Comparable certification-driven supplier diversity business model.
• National Black Chamber of Commerce: National non-profit chamber promoting Black business development and corporate supplier diversity. Comparable mission and target demographic (Black-owned MBEs are a major NCMSDC constituency), operating parallel certification, advocacy, and corporate matchmaking programs.
• National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC): National chamber certifying LGBT-owned businesses and connecting them with corporate supplier diversity programs. Comparable mission structure (certification + corporate matchmaking) but focused on a different diversity constituency; competes for the same corporate DEI budget dollars.
• Disability:IN: National non-profit that certifies disability-owned businesses and partners with corporations on disability inclusion in supply chains. Comparable certification/membership/event model and competes for overlapping corporate supplier diversity budgets.
• National Minority Supplier Development Council: NMSDC is the national umbrella organization of which NCMSDC is a regional affiliate. Operates the same MBE certification framework, national conferences, and advocacy efforts that NCMSDC leverages. Directly comparable mission and business model, but at a national rather than regional scale.
• U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce: National Hispanic business chamber advocating for Hispanic-owned business inclusion in corporate supply chains. Operates a parallel certification/advocacy model for a specific minority segment that overlaps with NCMSDC's MBE population.
• Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC): National non-profit providing certification and development services for women-owned businesses, structurally analogous to NMSDC/NCMSDC's role for minority-owned businesses. Serves a similar corporate supplier diversity demand with a parallel certification, membership, and event model.

Direct peers

• New York & New Jersey Minority Supplier Development Council: Another NMSDC Regional Affiliate Council serving the NY/NJ region. Operates the same MBE certification, corporate membership, and supplier diversity matchmaking model as NCMSDC but in a different geographic territory. Directly comparable structure and value proposition.
• Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council: Regional NMSDC affiliate serving the Washington D.C. capital region. Executes the same certification and corporate engagement model as NCMSDC, and explicitly named as a peer partnership in NCMSDC's joint Day-On-The-Hill advocacy efforts.

Others

• Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA): U.S. federal agency within the Department of Commerce that funds NCMSDC's Wisconsin MBDA Business Center. Operates overlapping MBE development services at a federal level and is both a funder and a quasi-peer. Not a direct competitor but a key ecosystem counterparty.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php?id=61559675463828
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/north-central-minority-supplier-development-council-ncmsdc
• Xx.com/nrthcntrlmsdc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about North Central Minority Supplier Development Council