Washington State Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprises
Washington State government agency that certifies minority-, women-, veteran-, and disadvantaged-owned businesses for state and federal contracting via the Access Equity portal, supporting access to procurement opportunities across Washington.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1983
- HeadquartersOlympia, Washington, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Washington State Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprises does
The Washington State Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprises (OMWBE) is a Washington State government agency established in 1983 to certify minority-, women-, veteran-, and disadvantaged-owned businesses for participation in state and federal contracting. Headquartered in Olympia with regional offices in Kennewick and Tukwila, OMWBE issues state certifications (MWBE, MBE, WBE, SEDBE, LGBTQBE, PWSBE), federal certifications (DBE, ACDBE, SBE/FSBE), and veteran-owned certifications. The agency operates the Access Equity online portal (powered by the DiversityCompliance platform) for applications and renewals, and maintains the Certified Business Directory used by procurement officials and prime contractors to source diverse vendors.
Beyond certification, OMWBE operates an ecosystem of business support services including OMWBE Academy (free on-demand training hosted on Teachable), the Linked Deposit Program for capital access, Surety Bonds assistance, the Building Opportunities Program, and Supplier Diversity reporting tools for state agencies and educational institutions. The agency coordinates with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) as the state's Unified Certification Program administrator for USDOT-funded DBE participation, and with the Department of Veteran Affairs for veteran-owned certifications.
OMWBE is funded through state appropriations and federal pass-throughs; it charges administrative certification and renewal fees on an annual basis but does not generate commercial revenue. The agency's go-to-market combines self-serve certification via the Access Equity portal, in-person support at three regional offices, an event and workshop series (including bilingual sessions via CPIN), and a partner referral network including Tabor 100, APEX Accelerator, and the Washington Secretary of State. Current operational pressure includes delayed processing times following the October 2025 USDOT Interim Final Rule's Personal Narrative requirements.
Washington State Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprises firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Washington State Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprises
- Legal name
- Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprises
- Website
- https://omwbe.wa.gov
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1983
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Washington State government agency that certifies minority-, women-, veteran-, and disadvantaged-owned businesses for state and federal contracting via the Access Equity portal, supporting access to procurement opportunities across Washington.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Washington State Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprises is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Olympia, Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Washington State Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprises business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Certification Fees: OMWBE charges fees for certification and renewal services. The agency processes Federal and State certifications for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), Airport Concession DBE (ACDBE), Small Business Enterprise (SBE), and other certification types. Fee information is available on the certification fees page.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Annual certification maintenance requiring renewal |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
Washington State Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprises product offering
Product offeringCore offering
OMWBE is a Washington State government agency that certifies minority-, women-, veteran-owned, and disadvantaged business enterprises (MWBE, DBE, ACDBE, SBE, PWSBE, LGBTQBE) for participation in state and federal contracting opportunities. The agency operates the Access Equity online certification portal and maintains the Certified Business Directory used by procurement officials and prime contractors to identify certified vendors. It also delivers technical assistance, training (OMWBE Academy), and capital access (Linked Deposit Program) to support certified firms.
Product overview
The Washington State Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprises (OMWBE) operates a government certification and small business support ecosystem rather than a single commercial software product. The core platform is Access Equity, an online certification portal where businesses apply for and manage State Certification (MWBE, MBE, WBE, SEDBE, LGBTQBE, PWSBE), Federal Certification (DBE, ACDBE, SBE/FSBE), and Veteran Owned Business Certification. Supporting the certification function, OMWBE maintains a Certified Business Directory for procurement matching, OMWBE Academy for free on-demand business training, and various Small Business Assistance Programs including capital access (Linked Deposit Program) and surety bonds. The Supplier Diversity Reporting Tools support state agencies and educational institutions in tracking equitable public spending.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Access Equity Certification Portal
Quantifiable outcome
- 102 new businesses certified in July 2026
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Washington State Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprises
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Washington State Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprises technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Washington State Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprises partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)coreOMWBE coordinates with WSDOT as the state's Unified Certification Program (UCP) administrator for DBE/ACDBE certifications. WSDOT distributes USDOT federal funds requiring DBE participation goals, making the partnership essential for transportation contracting equity.
- Washington State Department of Enterprise Services (DES)coreDES facilitates monthly contracting opportunities open houses and provides the WEBS (Washington Electronic Business Service) platform for state procurement opportunities. DES supports OMWBE's mission by connecting certified firms with state contracting needs.
- Washington State Department of Veterans AffairsminorPartnership streamlines veteran-owned business registration and certification process for vendors wanting to do business with Washington State agencies and municipalities.
- Washington State Secretary of StateminorFor state certification, businesses must register with the Washington Secretary of State before applying for OMWBE certification, creating a prerequisite partnership.
- Tabor 100minorTabor 100 provides technical assistance for IFR (Interim Final Rule) and certification support to DBE/ACDBE applicants, offering workshops and one-on-one assistance.
- APEX AcceleratorminorAPEX Accelerator provides general DBE support for businesses pursuing federal contracting opportunities, complementing OMWBE's certification services.
- Collaborative Partners Initiative (CPIN)minorCPIN partners with OMWBE to deliver the Summer Learning Series for Small Businesses, providing bilingual (English and Spanish) workshops on certification, bidding, and contracting opportunities.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Washington State Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprises competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- DiversityCompliance: Vendor operating the Access Equity certification portal that OMWBE uses. Comparable as the underlying technology infrastructure provider enabling OMWBE's certification workflow.
Direct peers
- Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC): National certifier of Women Business Enterprises (WBE) and a Women Owned Small Business (WOSB). Directly comparable to OMWBE because both issue the certifications that primes and procurement officials rely on for supplier diversity compliance.
- Disability:IN: National nonprofit certifying disability-owned businesses and advancing disability inclusion in supplier diversity. Comparable to OMWBE as an adjacent category-specific certifier feeding the same supplier diversity ecosystem.
- National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC): National certifier of LGBT-owned businesses (LGBTBE). Directly comparable to OMWBE's recently launched LGBTQBE certification and serves as the national counterpart in this emerging category.
- California Department of General Services – Office of Small and Diverse Business (OSDS): California's state-level MWBE/DGSBE certification authority. Directly comparable to OMWBE as a sister state agency administering small and diverse business certification and supplier diversity programs.
- National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC): National certifier of Minority Business Enterprises (MBE). Comparable to OMWBE as the dominant national counterpart certifying minority-owned firms and connecting them to corporate and government supply chains.
- New York State Division of Minority and Women's Business Development: New York's state MWBE certification entity. Directly comparable to OMWBE in scope and function, issuing MWBE certifications used by state agencies and contractors for diverse spending goals.
- Texas Comptroller – Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB) Program: Texas's state-level small/minority/women-owned business certification program. Comparable to OMWBE because both certify firms for state contracting set-asides and disadvantaged-business programs.
Broad incumbents
- U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA): Federal agency overseeing small business programs including SBE and WOSB certifications and contracting set-asides. Comparable to OMWBE as a broader incumbent whose programs intersect with state-level MWBE/DBE certifications.
- APEX Accelerator (formerly Procurement Technical Assistance Centers): DOD-funded network providing federal contracting assistance to businesses, including DBE applicants. Comparable to OMWBE because it supports the same DBE applicant journey and is a referral partner.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Washington State Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprises social profiles
Digital presenceWashington State Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprises financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Washington State Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprises leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Washington State Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprises funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Washington State Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprises M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Washington State Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprises
What does Washington State Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprises do?
OMWBE is a Washington State government agency that certifies minority-, women-, veteran-owned, and disadvantaged business enterprises (MWBE, DBE, ACDBE, SBE, PWSBE, LGBTQBE) for participation in state and federal contracting opportunities. The agency operates the Access Equity online certification portal and maintains the Certified Business Directory used by procurement officials and prime contractors to identify certified vendors. It also delivers technical assistance, training (OMWBE Academy), and capital access (Linked Deposit Program) to support certified firms.
Is Washington State Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprises a public or private company?
Washington State Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprises is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Washington State Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprises founded?
Washington State Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprises was founded in 1983. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Washington State Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprises based?
Washington State Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprises is headquartered in Olympia, Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does Washington State Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprises make money?
One revenue line is on record: certification Fees.
Who are Washington State Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprises's main competitors?
DiversityCompliance is listed as an others. Direct peers are Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), Disability:IN, National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), California Department of General Services – Office of Small and Diverse Business (OSDS), National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), New York State Division of Minority and Women's Business Development and Texas Comptroller – Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB) Program. Broad incumbents are U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and APEX Accelerator (formerly Procurement Technical Assistance Centers).
Does Washington State Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprises have an API?
No public API is recorded for Washington State Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprises.