MWBE Enterprises

What MWBE Enterprises does

MWBE Enterprises, Inc. is a Chicago-based professional consulting firm founded in 1998 that helps minority-owned and women-owned businesses obtain U.S. business certifications across five programs: MBE (Minority Business Enterprise via NMSDC and city/county/state bodies), WBE (Women Business Enterprise via WBENC and city/county/state bodies), DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise via USDOT and state transportation authorities), SBA 8(a) Business Development, and WOSB. The company operates a structured three-step process: Eligibility Analysis, Professional Application Preparation Services, and Post-Certification Services. The founder/president is Sheila Winston. The firm employs 11–50 people and operates from a single headquarters in Chicago, Illinois.

The business model is professional services consulting, with revenue generated through (1) a Mini Eligibility Analysis at $300 for 30 minutes, (2) a Complete Eligibility Analysis at $500 for 90 minutes (with fees creditable toward future application prep), and (3) per-project, all-inclusive Application Preparation Services priced after the eligibility analysis based on scope. Post-Certification Services — including Corporate Supplier Diversity Application Assistance, sales and marketing campaigns, business development, marketplace training, and RFP/RFQ bid preparation — represent an additional revenue layer aimed at helping certified clients monetize their new status. Customer segments include individual minority-owned and women-owned SMBs (primary), previously declined applicants, U.S. corporations seeking certified suppliers, and accountants/attorneys who refer clients.

The firm claims over 2,000 applications prepared since 1998 with a 99.9% approval success rate. Go-to-market is sales-led via SEO-optimized website content (dedicated pages per certification type), organic search, phone outreach, and a professional partner referral channel. There is no proprietary technology, no software product, no app, and no API — all service delivery occurs via scheduled consulting sessions (in-person or by phone), with bookings handled through a FlexBooker scheduling widget. The firm has no disclosed institutional investment, no funding rounds, no acquisitions, and no parent company; ownership appears founder-controlled.

Name

MWBE Enterprises

Legal name

MWBE Enterprises, Inc.

Website

https://mwbe-enterprises.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

MWBE Enterprises is a Chicago-based consulting firm, founded in 1998, that helps minority-owned and women-owned businesses obtain MBE, WBE, DBE, SBA 8(a), and WOSB certifications through eligibility analysis, application preparation, and post-certification services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

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, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Consulting Services - Eligibility Analysis: Fees charged for initial eligibility analysis services including Complete Eligibility Analysis ($500, 90 minutes) and Mini Eligibility Analysis ($300, 30 minutes). The fee for eligibility analysis is deducted from future Application Prep Services.
2. Application Preparation Services: Professional application preparation services for MBE, WBE, DBE, 8(a), and WOSB certifications. Pricing is provided at the end of the Eligibility Analysis using an all-inclusive, total, per-project price based on each client's specific circumstances and requested scope of work.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

MWBE Enterprises is a professional consulting firm that helps minority- and women-owned businesses obtain U.S. supplier diversity and government certifications (MBE, WBE, DBE, SBA 8(a), and WOSB). The company delivers a structured three-step service: an Eligibility Analysis session to identify eligibility issues, professional Application Preparation Services with quote-based per-project pricing, and Post-Certification Services including corporate supplier diversity application assistance, sales and marketing campaigns, and bid preparation support.

Product overview

MWBE Enterprises is a consulting services company that provides a three-step process for minority and women-owned business certification. The core offering consists of Eligibility Analysis (Complete at $500 for 90 minutes or Mini at $300 for 30 minutes), Professional Application Preparation Services for MBE, WBE, DBE, 8(a), and WOSB certifications, and Post-Certification Services including supplier diversity applications, marketing campaigns, business development, and bid preparation assistance. The company has been in business since 1998 with over 2,000 applications prepared and a 99.9% approval rate.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Eligibility Analysis Initial consultation reviewing a firm's eligibility for MBE, WBE, DBE, 8(a), and WOSB certifications, identifying areas negatively impacting eligibility, recommending corrections, and providing a reliable timeline for certification acquisition. Offered as Complete ($500, 90 minutes) or Mini ($300, 30 minutes) sessions.
• Professional Application Preparation Services Professional preparation of certification applications for MBE, WBE, DBE, 8(a), and WOSB certifications, with all-inclusive per-project pricing determined during the Eligibility Analysis based on each client's specific circumstances and scope of work.
• MBE Certification Consulting Consulting assistance for Minority Business Enterprise certification through the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) or through city, county, or state programs, serving minority-owned businesses.
• WBE Certification Consulting Consulting assistance for Women Business Enterprise certification through the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) or through city, county, or state programs, serving women-owned businesses.
• DBE Certification Consulting Consulting assistance for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise certification through the U.S. Department of Transportation and state transportation authorities, for minorities or women-owned businesses, or other socially and economically disadvantaged individuals such as persons with disabilities.
• SBA 8(a) and WOSB Certification Consulting Consulting assistance for SBA 8(a) Business Development Program admission and certification, as well as Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) certification, for small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.
• Post-Certification Services Ongoing services after certification including Corporate Supplier Diversity Application Assistance, Customized Sales & Marketing Campaigns, Targeted New Business Development, M/WBE Marketplace Training for Key Employees, and RFP/RFQ Consult & Bid Preparation Assistance.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99.9% application approval success rate
• +1 more outcomes

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA): Federal agency that administers the 8(a) Business Development Program and funds resource partners (SBDCs, WBCs, APEX Accelerators). Comparable in that SBA programs and partner network reinforce the same buyer journey MWBE services, and many of MWBE's clients engage with both.
• Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA): Federal agency that operates MBDA Business Centers providing assistance to minority-owned firms, including navigating certification. Overlaps with MWBE's mission and clientele but is a government program rather than a private consultancy.
• APEX Accelerators (formerly Procurement Technical Assistance Centers): DoD-funded program providing free counseling to businesses pursuing federal contracts, including DBE, 8(a), and WOSB certifications. Competes with MWBE on the eligibility and application prep stages but at no cost, supported by government funding.
• SCORE: A non-profit small business mentoring network (sponsored by the SBA) that offers free assistance to entrepreneurs, including guidance on government contracting and certifications. Comparable to MWBE Enterprises as a provider of small business advisory services, though it is free, volunteer-driven, and far broader in scope.
• Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs): SBA-funded network of local assistance centers offering free consulting to small businesses, including help with government contracting and certification. Comparable in service category but free, generalized, and locally delivered.

Others

• Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC): The national WBE certifier for which MWBE Enterprises prepares applications. Ecosystem counterpart rather than competitor; analogous relationship to NMSDC for the women's business segment.
• National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC): The national MBE certifier that MWBE Enterprises routinely prepares clients for. Not a direct competitor (NMSDC issues the certification; MWBE prepares the application), but the most relevant ecosystem participant, as changes to NMSDC standards drive demand for or against MWBE's prep services.
• National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO): Trade association representing women business owners, many of whom are candidates for WBE/WOSB certification. Ecosystem participant rather than direct competitor; NAWBO's membership base overlaps with MWBE's client pipeline.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/minority-enterprises-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 MWBE Enterprises