San Diego Equality Business Association

What San Diego Equality Business Association does

San Diego Equality Business Association (SDEBA), formerly the Greater San Diego Business Association (GSDBA), is a non-profit LGBTQ+ chamber of commerce founded in 1979 and headquartered in San Diego, California. It is the second-oldest LGBTQ and supportive chamber in the United States and one of the largest specialty chambers in San Diego County, serving 'hundreds' of LGBTQ+ business owners, allied companies, and non-profit organizations across the region. The organization is a founding member of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) and, in 2000, became the first LGBT chamber in the nation to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Small Business Administration, securing recognized minority business association status.

SDEBA's offering is a portfolio of member services rather than a unified software product. Core offerings include Business Networking Groups (BNG) organized by industry for peer referrals, an online Business Directory with basic and enhanced listing tiers, the LGBTQ Community Job Board, and LGBTBE certification facilitation through NGLCC that connects LGBTQ entrepreneurs with corporate supplier-diversity programs. Supporting offerings include the Member Plus mobile app (iOS/Android), an events calendar encompassing monthly mixers, Pride Week programming, and the annual Equality Business Awards, an Education Series of professional development workshops, and scholarships of up to $2,000 administered through the GSDBA Charitable Foundation. The technology platform is the third-party ChamberMaster/MicroNet system powering the website, directory, job board, event calendar, and member portal.

The revenue model is diversified across annual membership dues (six tiers ranging $100 Friend to $1,250 Corporate), event tickets and corporate sponsorships, and LGBTBE certification processing fees (waived for members; $400 for non-members). All members automatically receive NGLCC affiliation. Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven: marketing channels include active social media presence, a Mailchimp email newsletter, in-person networking events, and the LGBTQ Consumer Guide & Business Directory. The organization operates with 11 employees from a P.O. Box mailing address with no disclosed physical office.

Name

San Diego Equality Business Association

Legal name

San Diego Equality Business Association

Website

https://sdeba.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

San Diego Equality Business Association (SDEBA) is a 45+ year-old non-profit LGBTQ+ chamber of commerce serving hundreds of LGBTQ-owned, allied, and non-profit businesses in San Diego County through membership tiers, networking groups, business directory, LGBTBE certification, and signature events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Association / Chamber of Commerce

NAICS

Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

LGBTQ+ Rights & Advocacy Organizations (BPAGAFAE)

Keywords

• LGBTQ business chamber
• Business networking groups
• Supplier diversity certification
• Local business association
• Entrepreneurship advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees from General Members ($250), Associate Members ($150), Non-Profit Members ($150), Friend Members ($100), Corporate Members ($1,250), and Additional Representatives ($240). These dues provide access to networking events, business directory listings, marketing opportunities, and NGLCC benefits.
2. Event Tickets and Sponsorships: Revenue generated from ticket sales to events such as the 40th Anniversary Celebration, Pride Week Kick Off Mega Mixer, NGLCC Affiliate Reception, and other networking/business events. Corporate sponsors also support events.
3. LGBTBE Certification Processing: NGLCC LGBT-Owned Business Enterprise certification application processing (fee waiver for SDEBA members; $400 for non-members). SDEBA acts as an affiliate channel for certification.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The San Diego Equality Business Association (SDEBA) operates as a nonprofit LGBTQ+ chamber of commerce selling annual memberships, structured business networking groups, an online business directory, an LGBTQ Community Job Board, facilitated LGBTBE certification through NGLCC, regular events and mixers, and member-only educational programming and scholarships. Its offerings are designed to provide LGBTQ+ business owners and allies in San Diego County with visibility, referral-based networking, marketing channels, and access to national supplier diversity programs.

Product overview

San Diego Equality Business Association (SDEBA) operates as a chamber of commerce offering a portfolio of member services rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include Business Networking Groups (BNG) organized by industry for peer referrals, an online Business Directory with basic and enhanced listing tiers, the LGBTQ Community Job Board for employers and job seekers, and LGBTBE Certification facilitation through NGLCC. Supporting offerings include the Member Plus mobile app (iOS/Android) for on-the-go access to billing, deals, and member resources; Events and Mixers programming including Pride Week and annual Equality Business Awards; Educational Programs and workshops; and Scholarship Programs through its charitable foundation. All members receive automatic NGLCC affiliation with access to national procurement and supplier diversity programs. The association was founded in 1979 and serves as one of the oldest LGBTQ chambers in the nation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Membership (General, Corporate, Non-Profit, Associate, Friend) Annual membership tiers providing LGBTQ+ and allied businesses and individuals with access to networking events, an online Directory listing, member-to-member discounts, marketing opportunities, automatic NGLCC affiliation, and (depending on tier) voting rights. Targeted at LGBTQ+ business owners, allies, corporate partners, and non-profits in San Diego County.
• Online Business Directory and LGBTQ Consumer Guide Searchable online directory of LGBTQ-owned and allied businesses in San Diego County, with basic and enhanced listings (photos, videos, deals, social links) serving as the go-to resource for LGBTQ+ supportive consumers. Available to members and the public.
• LGBTQ Community Job Board Free job posting and search platform for LGBTQ-friendly employers and job seekers in the San Diego area, supporting employers across education and non-profit sectors.
• LGBTBE Certification Facilitation Application processing for the NGLCC LGBT-Owned Business Enterprise certification that connects LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs with corporate supplier diversity programs and government contracting opportunities. Free for SDEBA members; $400 for non-members.
• Events and Mixers (including Pride Week and Equality Business Awards) Calendar of business social mixers, community events, educational workshops, and signature events including Pride Week celebrations and the annual Equality Business Awards, with ticketed access and corporate sponsorship.
• Educational Programs and Workshops Members-only professional development seminars and workshops on topics such as new business laws and marketing basics, delivered in partnership with subject-matter experts.
• Member Plus Mobile App Mobile application for iOS and Android providing members access to billing, hot deals, the job board, news/blog posts, and member-to-member discounts on the go.
• Scholarship Program (GSDBA Charitable Foundation) Educational scholarships of up to $2,000 each awarded through the Greater San Diego Charitable Foundation to aspiring LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and students demonstrating financial need and community commitment.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Small Business Administration (SBA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2000In 2000, SDEBA became the first LGBT chamber in the nation to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the US Small Business Administration, recognizing SDEBA's status as a minority business association. This partnership provides members special access to SBA programs and SCORE.
• National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSDEBA is a founding member of NGLCC and takes an active role in national level programs to meet the needs of small businesses. All SDEBA members are automatically members of NGLCC with access to financial, procurement, and advocacy programs. SDEBA also hosts NGLCC affiliate events and serves as a certification pathway.
• Greater San Diego Charitable Foundation (GSDBACF)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSDEBA has partnered with the Greater San Diego Charitable Foundation to provide educational scholarships up to $2,000 each for aspiring LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and students in San Diego County.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/_sdeba
• Facebookfacebook.com/sandiegoequalitybusinessassociation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/san-diego-equality-business-association
• Instagraminstagram.com/sdebalgbtqchamber

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 San Diego Equality Business Association