NWBOC

What NWBOC does

NWBOC (National Women Business Owners Corporation) is a 501(c)-style nonprofit organization founded in 1995 as the first national certifier of women-owned businesses in the United States. Headquartered in Tampa, Florida with operational offices in Andover, Kansas and Grand Rapids, Michigan, the organization provides third-party certification verifying that for-profit businesses are at least 51% owned and controlled by designated owners. Its certification portfolio spans five programs: WBE (Women Business Enterprise), MBE (Minority Business Enterprise), VBE (Veteran Business Enterprise, launched 2013), WOSB (Women-Owned Small Business), and EDWOSB (Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business), the latter two delivered under authorization as an SBA-approved third-party certifier for federal procurement programs.

The organization generates revenue primarily through one-time certification application fees ($400 for a single certification, $700 for combined) and recurring annual recertification fees ($200 for businesses under $2M in gross sales, $300 for businesses above $2M, with a $100 discount for multiple recertifications). Distribution is direct via downloadable PDF applications on its website, with no reseller or partner channel. Beyond the core certification product, NWBOC operates a member ecosystem that includes the ACCESS annual conference, the Certified Plus advanced supplier development program, Corporate Connect, a mentoring program, training webinars, the NWBOC Connect publication, and an awards program.

NWBOC's primary customer base consists of individual women, minority, and veteran business owners seeking federally and corporately recognized credentials for set-aside contracts and supplier diversity programs. On the demand side, corporations and government agencies (including named partners Medtronic, Marathon Petroleum, and historically IBM) accept NWBOC certifications as proof of ownership eligibility. The organization holds no disclosed proprietary technology platform beyond a database of certified businesses, does not employ AI or advanced software in its certification review process, and operates entirely within the United States.

Name

NWBOC

Legal name

National Women Business Owners Corporation

Website

https://nwboc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

NWBOC is a U.S. nonprofit founded in 1995 that provides national third-party certification for women-owned, minority-owned, and veteran-owned businesses, enabling access to federal set-aside contracts and corporate supplier diversity programs through WBE, MBE, VBE, WOSB, and EDWOSB credentials.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Tampa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Certification Application Fees: Initial application fees for WBE, MBE, VBE, WOSB, and EDWOSB certifications. Single certification: $400, combined certification (two types): $700. Fees are payable to NWBOC upon submission from the business operating checking account.
2. Recertification Fees: Annual recertification fees required to maintain certification status. Fee is $200 if gross sales are under $2,000,000, or $300 if gross sales are over $2,000,000. A $100 discount applies for two or more recertifications. A $100 reinstatement fee applies for late submissions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

NWBOC is a nonprofit organization that provides third-party national certification for women-owned (WBE), veteran-owned (VBE), minority-owned (MBE), and SBA WOSB/EDWOSB businesses. Certified entities gain verified credentials for competing in government set-aside contracts and corporate supplier diversity programs. Beyond certification, NWBOC operates member development programs (Certified Plus, Corporate Connect, Mentoring), hosts the ACCESS annual conference, and maintains a proprietary database of certified businesses used by corporate and government procurement teams.

Product overview

NWBOC is a certification organization offering a portfolio of certifications for women, minority, and veteran-owned businesses. The core offerings include WBE, VBE, WOSB, EDWOSB, and MBE certifications. Beyond certifications, NWBOC provides supplementary programs including Certified Plus (an advanced supplier development credential), Corporate Connect (corporate partnership program), Mentoring Program, and an annual ACCESS Conference. Additional services include trainings, webinars, publications, and an awards program. The company operates as a third-party certifier for the SBA's WOSB and EDWOSB programs and maintains a proprietary database of certified business entities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• WBE (Woman Business Enterprise) Certification National third-party certification verifying that a for-profit business is at least 51% owned and controlled by women. Accepted by corporations and government entities for procurement and supplier diversity.
• VBE (Veteran Business Enterprise) Certification National certification for veteran business owners verifying the business is at least 51% owned and controlled by veterans, providing access to veteran-specific procurement programs.
• WOSB (Woman-Owned Small Business) Certification SBA-recognized certification for women-owned small businesses in industries where women are underrepresented, tied to specific NAICS codes. Enables eligibility for SBA-administered federal set-aside contracts.
• EDWOSB (Economically Disadvantaged Woman-Owned Small Business) Certification SBA-recognized certification for economically disadvantaged women-owned small businesses requiring personal net worth under $750,000, adjusted gross income under $350,000 for three years, and assets under $6 million. Enables federal set-aside contracting eligibility.
• MBE (Minority Business Enterprise) Certification

Quantifiable outcome

• 1.4% of government procurement awards over $25,000 went to women-owned businesses in 1994, highlighting the opportunity gap that certification helps address.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, founding and minor.

• Marathon Petroleum CorporationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMarathon Petroleum Corporation partners with NWBOC for events and projects. They participate in conferences as a valued partner and have expressed continued partnership interest in future events and projects.
• MedtroniccoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMedtronic participates in NWBOC conferences and supplier diversity initiatives. John Taylor, Director of Strategic Sourcing, expressed appreciation for NWBOC's valuable conference and partnership opportunities.
• Corporate Partners (Various)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNWBOC has formed partnerships with corporations and government organizations around the country who accept its certifications and seek opportunities to connect with NWBOC certified members. Corporate partners participate in the mentoring program, supplier diversity initiatives, and ACCESS conferences.
• National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO)foundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNWBOC was created in response to research conducted by the Procurement Special Interest Group of NAWBO. NWBOC serves as a sister organization to NAWBO, with Phyllis Hill Slater serving as a director of NAWBO.
• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNWBOC is a third-party certifier for SBA's WOSB and EDWOSB program. NWBOC assists the federal government in revamping programs to ensure only certified businesses can benefit from outreach programs for women business owners.
• National Foundation for Women Business OwnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister organization of NWBOC that compiled statistics on women-owned businesses including the 7 million businesses figure and $1.4 billion in annual sales.
• Air Force Women-Owned Business CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKathleen T. Schwallie, founding President of NWBOC, serves on the Air Force Women-Owned Business Council.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC): WBENC is the largest and most recognized national certifier of women-owned businesses in the US. It directly competes with NWBOC for WBE certification volume, corporate supplier-diversity recognition, and SBA WOSB third-party certifier status, and is widely accepted by Fortune 500 procurement teams.
• National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC): NMSDC is the leading national certifier of minority business enterprises (MBEs) and operates a national corporate minority supplier development program. It directly competes with NWBOC's MBE certification and corporate connect offerings, serving the same supplier-diversity buyer base.
• National Veteran Business Development Council (NVBDC): NVBDC is a third-party certifier for veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses. It competes directly with NWBOC's VBE certification for veteran-owned business recognition and corporate/government veteran procurement programs.
• National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO): NAWBO is a founding sister organization to NWBOC and serves as a national membership-based advocacy organization for women business owners. It is comparable as a women-business-owner-focused membership/association serving the same constituency of owners seeking procurement and growth resources.
• U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce (USWCC): USWCC is a national women-business-owner advocacy and certification organization that certifies WBEs and operates corporate and government procurement access programs. It directly competes with NWBOC for WBE certification and corporate supplier-diversity engagement.
• National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC): NGLCC is the national certification body for LGBT-owned businesses (LGBTBE) and operates a corporate supplier-diversity program. It is comparable to NWBOC as a third-party certifier serving an underrepresented-owner segment and competing for the same corporate supplier-diversity budget.
• Disability:IN: Disability:IN is the leading national certification body for disability-owned businesses (DBE) and Disability-Owned Business Enterprises. It mirrors NWBOC's model as a third-party diversity certifier connecting certified businesses to corporate and government procurement opportunities.

Others

• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA): SBA is a key regulator and partner rather than direct competitor. It governs the WOSB/EDWOSB federal procurement program of which NWBOC is a third-party certifier, and shapes policy that drives demand for NWBOC's certification services.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/womenbizcert
• Facebookfacebook.com/about
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-women-business-owners-corporation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about NWBOC