WBEC Florida

What WBEC Florida does

WBEC Florida (Women's Business Enterprise Council of Florida) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1999 that has operated as an official Regional Partner Organization (RPO) of the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) since 2000. It certifies women-owned businesses (WBEs) across Florida (excluding the Panhandle), Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, providing credentials recognized by corporate supplier diversity programs and as an approved Third Party Certifier for the SBA's Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contracting Program. The organization has been led by President & CEO Nancy G. Allen for 25+ years and rebranded from Women's Business Development Council of Florida to WBEC Florida in 2025 to align with national WBENC nomenclature.

The core offering is WBENC Certification, supported by the Runway to Certification preparation program—a three-stage pathway of weekly emails, online portal resources, and community access delivered in partnership with Duke Energy. Complementary programs include the annual WBEC Florida Regional Pitch Competition (with $25,000 First Place prizes qualifying winners for national WBENC Semi-Finals), monthly Certification 101 trainings, Coffee with a Corporate sessions, the Business Growth Shift conference series, and the Global Growth Shift initiative for international expansion. Underlying infrastructure consists of a Kajabi-hosted marketing site with member login, a Runway to Certification web portal, YouTube video content, weekly Constant Contact email newsletters, and LinkedIn organic social—no proprietary technology stack, API, SDK, or AI/ML components are documented.

Revenue mechanics rely primarily on corporate sponsorships (40+ named partners including Amazon, Bank of America, CHEP, VyStar Credit Union, Florida Blue, Target, Walmart, Citibank, Coca-Cola Florida, L3Harris, and Regions Bank), supplemented by paid event registrations (e.g., $40 for Business Growth Shift Orlando) and certification services revenue flowing from the WBENC RPO arrangement. Most programs and the Runway to Certification portal are free to WBE participants. Operations are supported by a 5-person core staff (plus broader 15-person total headcount) and an 11-member Board of Directors drawing executives from Cardinal Health, VyStar, UPS, Florida Blue, NYLIFE Securities, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta (retired), and other corporate partners.

Name

WBEC Florida

Legal name

Women's Business Development Council of Florida

Website

https://wbecflorida.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

WBEC Florida is a nonprofit Regional Partner Organization of WBENC that certifies women-owned businesses in Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It provides certification, business development programs, networking events, and connections to 40+ corporate sponsors and partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Women-Owned Business Certification Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Labor, Employment Standards & Occupational Licensing Boards (BPAIAOAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Conformity Assessment, Testing, Inspection & Certification Cooperation (BPADANAD)

Keywords

• Women-owned business certification
• WBENC certification services
• Supplier diversity programs
• Business development events
• Corporate procurement networking

Headquarters

HQ city

Florida

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Corporate Sponsorships: Financial funding from corporations to support programs and events throughout the year. Corporate sponsors gain access to certified women-owned businesses and supplier diversity networks.
2. Event Revenue: Fees from events such as the Business Growth Shift conference ($40 registration) and other educational programs.
3. Certification Services: As a Regional Partner Organization of WBENC, WBEC Florida provides certification services for women-owned businesses. The Runway to Certification program is free.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

WBEC Florida certifies women-owned businesses in Florida (excluding the Panhandle), Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands as a Regional Partner Organization of the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). It supports applicants through the free Runway to Certification three-stage preparation program (weekly emails, online portal with resources, and an online community) and connects certified businesses with corporate sponsors and procurement opportunities through events, pitch competitions, and business development resources.

Product overview

WBEC Florida operates as a single, unified certification and business development service rather than a modular software platform. The organization's core offering is WBENC Certification for women-owned businesses, supported by the Runway to Certification program (a three-stage preparation pathway with emails, portal access, and community features). Additional services include WBENCPitch Regional Competition, educational events (Certification 101, Coffee with a Corporate, Business Growth Shift Live Conference), the Global Growth Shift initiative for international expansion, and Resources including articles, checklists, and worksheets. These offerings work together to provide end-to-end support from certification preparation through ongoing business development and networking.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• WBENC Certification Comprehensive certification program for women-owned businesses that provides access to corporate and government procurement opportunities, the WBENC seal, and the Women Owned logo. WBEC Florida serves as a Regional Partner Organization certifying businesses in Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
• Runway to Certification A free three-stage certification preparation program: Stage 1 provides weekly emails and videos to help determine if certification is right for the applicant; Stage 2 offers an online portal with resources and tip sheets for document preparation; Stage 3 provides an online community for networking and building connections with other women business owners.
• WBENCPitch Regional Competition A signature pitch competition serving as a qualifying round for the National WBENC Semi-Finals, featuring two categories (Products and Services). First Place wins $20,000 and Runner Up receives complimentary WBENC National Conference registration. Designed to help WBEs hone their business pitch, gain meaningful exposure, and compete for grants and other prizes.
• Certification 101 Training Monthly free online training session hosted by the Certification Director that walks participants through the WBENC certification application process and guides next steps for using credentials.
• Coffee with a Corporate Free virtual networking event featuring interviews with corporate leaders and business development specialists, providing attendees opportunities to learn about corporate procurement processes and ask questions.
• Business Growth Shift Live Conference A half-day conference featuring roundtable meet-and-greets with corporate, government, and nonprofit leaders, panels on doing business with organizations, trade expansion strategies, and introductions to the Global Growth Shift initiative. $40 registration includes free parking, light breakfast, and beverages.
• Global Growth Shift A worldwide movement dedicated to helping women business leaders expand their reach through high-impact trainings, curated connections, powerful storytelling, practical resources, international trade missions, cross-border business matchmaking, and collaborative global initiatives.
• Resources and Tools Library A free collection of business development materials including articles on networking, sales, corporate readiness, and international trade; checklists for recertification, cybersecurity, and corporate preparedness; and worksheets for business planning.

Quantifiable outcome

• $25,000 prize awarded to regional pitch competition winners (Products and Services categories)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

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

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWBENC is the largest certifier of women-owned businesses in the US. WBEC Florida is one of 14 Regional Partner Organizations (RPOs) that certifies women-owned businesses in Florida (minus Panhandle), Puerto Rico, and US Virgin Islands. WBEC Florida serves as the regional arm providing certification, championing, and connecting women-owned businesses with the national WBENC network.
• Duke EnergycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDuke Energy is committed to seeing more women business owners receive their WBENC certification. Partnered with WBEC Florida on the Runway to Certification program, supporting the initiative to help women entrepreneurs through the certification process.
• AmazonflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor providing financial funding to support WBEC Florida programs and events. Amazon representatives participate in pitch competitions as judges and provide access to their supplier diversity initiatives.
• CHEPflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerWorldwide leader in pallet and container pooling services. CHEP's Global Supplier Diversity Manager (Johanna Bratslavsky) serves as judge in pitch competitions and provides supplier diversity expertise.
• VyStar Credit UnionflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor whose VP of Strategic Sourcing (Willie Johnson) actively participates in certification review committees, judges pitch competitions, and supports economic development initiatives.
• Florida BlueflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor represented by VP and Senior Counsel Allen Hall who serves on the WBEC Florida Board of Directors.
• Target Corp.flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor represented by Karen Tobler, Director of Supplier Engagement, who serves as judge in pitch competitions and provides supplier engagement expertise.
• Broward HealthflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor and partner. Host of Annual Small Business & Health Expo. LaRae Floyd, recipient of Monarch Legacy Award, is from Broward Health.
• University of South FloridacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner with Supplier Diversity program. Offers Mentor Protege Program with Skanska. Provides facilities and resources for events.
• Moffitt Cancer CenterflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner with active supplier development initiatives. Posts RFPs for facilities and maintenance services through WBEC Florida. Provides educational sessions on doing business with Moffitt.
• Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner providing export financing and insurance solutions for small businesses. Featured in Coffee with a Corporate events to help women-owned businesses enter international markets.
• U.S. Small Business AdministrationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal partner participating in roundtable sessions at events. WBENC is an approved Third Party Certifier for SBA's Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contracting Program.
• Go for the Greens FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partner focused on global green principles of growth, sustainability, mentorship, and strategy. Co-hosts the 19th Annual Business Development Conference.
• National Entrepreneur CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for WBEC Florida events including the Business Growth Shift conference. Located in Orlando, FL.
• WEConnect InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal women's organization providing tools, credentials, and connections to compete in the global marketplace.
• Women Impacting Public PolicycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization helping women business owners become advocates for their companies and public policy.
• Women Presidents OrganizationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal network of women business owners focused on high-impact growth and top CEO skills.
• Duke EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUtility company partner providing sponsorship and participating in events. Committed to seeing more women business owners receive WBENC certification.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP): National advocacy organization for women business owners focused on policy, federal contracting, and collective action. Partner organization with overlapping member base and advocacy goals.
• National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO): Long-standing national membership association for women business owners offering networking, advocacy, and education. Comparable membership-based service model targeting the same women entrepreneur segment.
• Women's Business Enterprise Council South (WBEC South): Sister WBENC Regional Partner Organization covering the Florida Panhandle and other Southern states. Most direct peer — operates the same WBENC certification model in an adjacent territory with comparable corporate sponsor networks and events.
• WEConnect International: Global certification body for women-owned businesses, already a WBEC Florida partner. Comparable service offering (WBE certification, corporate matchmaking) with international scope.
• U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce: National chamber and advocacy organization for women business owners and women in business. Comparable mission of advocacy, networking, certification support, and corporate engagement for WBEs.

Regional players

• Florida SBDC Network: Florida's Small Business Development Center network providing consulting, training, and resources to small businesses in the same Florida geography. Adjacent in serving Florida-based entrepreneurs, though not certification-focused.

Emerging players

• Women Presidents Organization (WPO): Membership-based peer organization for women-owned businesses at the $2M+ revenue tier. Comparable member-services model with peer roundtables, events, and corporate engagement.

Broad incumbents

• National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC): National minority business certification body (MBE) with parallel regional affiliate network and corporate sponsor ecosystem. Comparable mission of certifying diverse suppliers and connecting them to corporate procurement.
• Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC): National umbrella body and largest certifier of women-owned businesses in the US. Owns the certification standard, runs the national conference and Semi-Finals, and licenses the RPO network that WBEC Florida belongs to.
• SCORE: National nonprofit providing free mentorship, workshops, and resources to small business owners. Comparable nonprofit model with educational programming, though broader audience and not certification-specific.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC3RZijO2iaH5bDNgCvl3bzg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wbecfl

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 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 WBEC Florida