Greater Women's Business Council

What Greater Women's Business Council does

Greater Women's Business Council (GWBC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2000 and headquartered at 600 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA. It operates as one of 14 Regional Partner Organizations (RPOs) of the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) and provides WBENC certification and SBA WOSB certification for women-owned businesses across Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. The certification process validates that a business is at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by women, granting access to the WBENCLink2.0 national database used by Fortune 100/500 companies and government entities for supplier sourcing.

GWBC supplements certification with a layered ecosystem of programs: the Mentor-Protégé Program (125+ WBEs supported over 25 years), the Power of Partnering half-day matchmaker events held quarterly across all three states, the Accelerate Series educational webinars, Tables of 8 and Mornings with GWBC networking platforms, and the Annual Celebration Luncheon. In 2025, the organization opened The WBE Collaborative, a co-working space in Bank of America Plaza (Midtown Atlanta) with tiered memberships ($99-$349/month) and added a Virtual Mailbox Service. Major corporate member-partners include Delta Air Lines, UPS, Bank of America, Truist, Georgia Power, Accenture, AT&T, Coca-Cola, Norfolk Southern, BMW Manufacturing, Ally Financial, and Emory University.

Revenue is generated through four streams: tiered annual certification fees ($350-$1,250 based on revenue tier), corporate sponsorship packages ($250 quarterly to $25,000 annual bundles), co-working and virtual mailbox subscriptions, and donations. The organization operates with a team of approximately 14 members led by President & CEO Roz Lewis, governed by a Board of Directors drawn from corporate member organizations, and serves a network of 1,500+ certified WBEs generating over $11 billion in combined revenue across the three-state region.

Name

Greater Women's Business Council

Legal name

Greater Women's Business Council

Website

https://gwbc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Greater Women's Business Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and WBENC Regional Partner Organization that certifies women-owned businesses across Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, connecting 1,500+ certified WBEs with 40+ corporate members through education, networking, and procurement-focused events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Atlanta

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, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Certification Fees: Annual certification and recertification fees based on company revenue tiers: Under $1M ($350), $1M-$5M ($500), $5M-$10M ($750), $10M-$50M ($1,000), $50M+ ($1,250). Non-refundable application fees.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate membership and sponsorship packages including bundle packages ($10,000-$25,000), A La Carte sponsorships ($250-$5,000), and POP Marketplace sponsorships. Includes recognition at events and programs.
3. Co-Working Space Memberships: Co-working space at Bank of America Plaza with tiered plans: Trial ($99/month), Standard ($199/month), Premium ($299/month), VIP ($349/month). Also includes Virtual Mailbox services at $74.99-$124.99/month.
4. Donations: 501(c)(3) nonprofit accepting donations to support programs that help women entrepreneurs

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

GWBC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Regional Partner Organization of WBENC that issues WBENC and WOSB certifications to women-owned businesses in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Beyond certification, it operates educational programming (Accelerate Series), a Mentor-Protégé Program, networking events (Power of Partnering, Tables of 8, Mornings with GWBC), and a women-focused co-working space (The WBE Collaborative) at Bank of America Plaza in Atlanta, plus a Virtual Mailbox Service.

Product overview

Greater Women's Business Council (GWBC) operates as a certification body and business development organization offering a comprehensive suite of programs for women-owned businesses. The core offering is the WBENC and WOSB certification processes, which rigorously vet women-owned businesses for procurement opportunities. Supporting the certification are multiple programs including the GWBC Accelerate Series (educational webinars), Mentor-Protégé Program, Power of Partnering (POP) Events, Tables of 8, and Mornings with GWBC networking events. GWBC also operates The WBE Collaborative, a co-working space in Atlanta, and provides a Virtual Mailbox Service. The organization hosts an Annual Celebration Luncheon featuring awards programs. Access to the national WBENC network is provided through WBENCLink2.0 platform. GWBC serves as one of 14 Regional Partner Organizations of WBENC, covering Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WBE Collaborative: A co-working space opened in 2025, located in Bank of America Plaza in Midtown Atlanta, designed exclusively for women-owned businesses and WBENC-certified WBEs.
• GWBC Accelerate Series
• Power of Partnering (POP)
• Mentor-Protégé Program

Products and services

• WBENC Certification A rigorous third-party certification that validates women-owned businesses are at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by women, granting access to corporate and government procurement opportunities via the WBENCLink2.0 national database. Certification fees are tiered by annual revenue from $350 (under $1M) to $1,250 ($50M+).
• WOSB Certification Women Owned Small Business certification authorized by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) that validates eligibility for federal contracting set-aside programs for women-owned small businesses.
• GWBC Accelerate Series Educational webinar program delivering expert-led presentations on business topics including video marketing, leadership, and operational efficiency to women-owned business owners across the Southeast region.
• Power of Partnering (POP) Events Half-day events combining expert-led education, small business networking, and procurement-focused matchmaking with corporate buyers and government entities; held regionally in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
• Mentor-Protégé Program Structured mentorship program connecting women-owned business owners with experienced corporate and WBE leaders for practical insight and measurable growth in sales, marketing, financial planning, and strategic thinking. Has supported 125+ WBEs over 25 years.
• The WBE Collaborative Co-Working Space Professional co-working space at Bank of America Plaza in Midtown Atlanta, exclusively for women-owned businesses and WBENC-certified WBEs, offering tiered memberships (Trial $99, Standard $199, Premium $299, VIP $349 per month) with networking, educational programming, and growth-focused cohorts.
• Virtual Mailbox Service Professional Atlanta business address service with reliable mail handling and flexible connectivity for women-owned businesses; Basic Plan at $74.99/month and Premium Plan at $124.99/month with one monthly conference room reservation.
• Annual Celebration Luncheon Signature annual awards event celebrating corporations and WBEs for contributions to supplier diversity, featuring TOP Corporation Awards, LACE Awards, Legacy Awards, and other recognition programs. Attracts 1,700+ attendees annually.
• Corporate Sponsorship and Membership Packages Tiered corporate sponsorship packages including Bundle Packages ($10K–$25K), A La Carte sponsorships ($250–$5K), and POP Marketplace sponsorships ($250–$5K) that provide brand visibility, event registration allotments, advertising placement, and recognition across GWBC events and programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $11 billion in revenue generated by WBEs in the three-state region
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and founding/flagship.

• Ally FinancialcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 7 October 2026Host venue for North Carolina Power of Partnering event on October 7, 2026 in Charlotte, NC. 2025 TOP Corporation recipient.
• Federal Reserve Bank of AtlantacoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 September 2026Host venue for Georgia Power of Partnering event on September 17, 2026 in Atlanta, GA
• Milliken & CompanycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 June 2026Host venue for South Carolina Power of Partnering event on June 30, 2026 in Spartanburg, S.C. 2025 TOP Corporation recipient. Kathy Vezina, Senior Sourcing Manager, received Advocate of the Year award.
• BMW Manufacturing Co.coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 20252025 TOP Corporation recipient. Stephanie Vera, Supplier Development & Engagement, received Advocate of the Year award. Varnessa Wallace-Bails, Buyer, received Buyer of the Year award.
• Norfolk SoutherncoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Valerie Nesbitt, Director of Supplier Inclusion & Sustainability, received the 25th Anniversary President's Award in 2025.
• Delta Air Linesfounding/flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2000Founding corporate member of GWBC since its launch in 2000. Early investment helped establish GWBC as a leader in supplier diversity. Currently serves as ex-officio of the Board of Directors. Received Pamela Prince-Eason Leadership Award in 2025.
• UPSfounding/flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2000Founding corporate member of GWBC since its launch in 2000. Early investment helped establish GWBC as a leader in supplier diversity. Currently serves as ex-officio of the Board of Directors. Legacy Award winner (15 Years).
• Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)founding/flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerGWBC is one of 14 Regional Partner Organizations (RPOs) of WBENC in the U.S. WBENC provides the most widely recognized certification for women-owned businesses, with 350+ major corporations accepting this certification.
• Bank of AmericacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBoard representation (Kim Tong, VP, SBA Sr. Business Development Officer - Atlanta Markets). Host location for The WBE Collaborative co-working space in Bank of America Plaza, Midtown Atlanta.
• Truist FinancialcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBoard representation (Lissa Miller, Senior Vice President, Chief Supplier Diversity & Sustainability Officer). Board Development Chair position.
• Emory UniversitycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBoard representation (Debby Morey, VP Business Operations, Emory University / VP Supply Chain, Emory Healthcare)
• AccenturecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLegacy Award winner for 15 years of corporate membership and support
• Georgia PowercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLegacy Award winner for 13 years. Marquisha Maiden, Manager, contracts, serves as 1st Vice Chair of GWBC Board.
• AT&TcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLegacy Award winner for 12 years of corporate membership
• The Coca-Cola CompanycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLegacy Award winner for 10 years of corporate membership
• Business RadioXcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGWBC was the first regional partner organization of WBENC to form a collaborative partnership with Business RadioX, an internet radio and podcasting platform that promotes certified women businesses and corporate partners.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Women's Business Enterprise Council West (WBEC West): Another WBENC Regional Partner Organization serving western U.S. states; operates the same certification/membership/event model as GWBC and is a direct comparable on revenue structure and service offering.
• SCORE: Largest U.S. nonprofit network of volunteer business mentors providing free mentoring, workshops, and education to small business owners. Comparable on nonprofit mission, business education programming, and Mentor-Protégé-style cohort offerings.
• NMSDC (National Minority Supplier Development Council): The parallel supplier diversity council certifying minority-owned businesses through 23 regional affiliates. NMSDC operates an analogous model (certification + corporate matchmaking + events) competing for the same corporate supplier diversity budget pool.
• WEConnect International: Global certification body for women-owned businesses, particularly outside the U.S. Comparable in mission (certifying WBEs and connecting them with corporate buyers) and operated through regional/country affiliates like GWBC.
• National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC): Certifies LGBT-owned businesses through local affiliate chambers using the same third-party certification + corporate matchmaking model targeting supplier diversity buyers; competes with GWBC for corporate DEI budget allocations.
• Women's Business Enterprise Council East (WBEC East): Yet another WBENC Regional Partner Organization under the same national certification network; runs the same certification/matchmaking model as GWBC in its regional territory.
• Disability:IN: National nonprofit certifying disability-owned businesses (DOEs) and connecting them with corporate and government buyers. Operates a parallel supplier diversity ecosystem competing for the same corporate member wallet as GWBC.
• Women's Business Enterprise Council Florida (WBEC Florida): Sister WBENC Regional Partner Organization serving Florida — the most directly comparable peer to GWBC given identical operating model (WBENC certification + corporate matchmaking + events), differing only by geography.
• Women's Business Enterprise Council South (WBEC South): Another WBENC Regional Partner Organization serving south-central U.S.; closest geographic competitor to GWBC with overlap in supplier diversity membership base.

Broad incumbents

• Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC): The national body that grants the certification GWBC administers at the regional level. WBENC sets the standard accepted by Fortune 100/500 and operates the WBENCLink2.0 platform; GWBC is one of 14 Regional Partner Organizations under WBENC.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Greater Women's Business Council