Meet the 3rd Party Certifiers

New businesses open every day and we know entering the diverse supplier landscape can be confusing with all those acronyms flying around for the types of certifications available (DOBE, MBE, WBE, etc.) and certifiers (NGLCC, NVBDC, USPAACC, etc.) who offer them. Today we’re re-introducing the 3^rd party certifiers (which means these certifiers are not a state or federal agency):

ABE (Asian [American] Business Enterprise)

USPAACC: US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce, a 3^rd party certifier of Asian American (heritage includes China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, South Korea, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Mongolia) owned businesses. A business must be 51% owned, managed, and operated by Asian American(s) or Asian legal permanent resident(s).

Upcoming Events

• BLS: Startup Fundraising: Rocky, but Glorious. When: February 21^st. Where: Webinar.
• CelebrAsian 2019 Procurement & Business Conference. When: June 5^th-7^th. Where: Houston, TX.

DOBE (Disable Owned Business Enterprise)

Disability:IN (formerly USBLN) the 3^rd party certifier for People with Disability or Disabled owned businesses. A person with disability owner (or owners) must own, operate, and control at least 51% of a US-based business to be eligible for certification; and be a United States citizen or permanent legal resident. They also offer a Service Disabled Veteran certification status.

Upcoming Events

• Annual Conference & Expo. When: July 15^th-18^th. Where: Chicago, IL.

LGBTBE (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgendered Business Enterprise)

NGLCC: National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, the 3rd party certifier of LGBT businesses. An LGBT business owner (or owners) must own, operate, and control at least 51% of a US-based business and be a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident(s) to be eligible for certification.

Upcoming Events

• 2019 NBIC Best-of-the-Best Awards. When: April 10^th. Where: Washington, DC.
• 2019 NGLCC International Business & Leadership Conference. When: August 13^th-16^th. Where: Tampa, FL.
• 2019 NGLCC National Dinner. When: November 22^nd. Where: Washington, DC.

MBE (Minority Business Enterprise)

NMSDC: National Minority Supplier Development Council, the 3^rd party certifier, that certifies minority (for their certifying purpose NMSDC defines minority as Asian, Black, Hispanic and/or Native American business owner that is “at least 1/4 or 25% minimum” of one of these categories) business. A minority business owner (or owners) must own, operate, and control at least 51% of a US-based business and be a United States citizen to be eligible for certification. Their Global-Link International Program works to connect historically-excluded populations with corporate purchasing entities in other countries (Canada, China, UK, etc.).

Upcoming Events

• 2019 Leadership Awards. When: May 16^th. Where: New York, NY.
• 2019 National Conference & Business Opportunity Exchange. When: October 13^th-16^th. Where: Atlanta, GA.

VBE/SDVBE (Veteran or Service Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise)

NaVOBA: National Veteran Owned Business Association, a 3^rd party certifier of veteran and service disabled owned businesses. A Veteran or Service-Disabled Veteran business owner (or owners) must own, operate, and control at least 51% a US-based business to be eligible for certification.

Upcoming Events

• Veteran’s Edge. When: February 28^th – March 3^rd. Where: Dallas, TX.
• ROAR EMSDC. When: March 19^th. Where: Pittsburgh, PA.
• VETS 2019. When: May 29^th-31^st. Where: San Antonio, TX.

NVBDC: National Veteran Business Development Council, a 3^rd party certifier of Veteran and Service-Disabled owned businesses. Named by the Billion Dollar Roundtable as their certification organization of preference for VBEs and SDVBEs. A Veteran or Service-Disabled Veteran business owner (or owners) must own, operate, and control at least 51% a US-based business to be eligible for certification.

Upcoming Events

• NVBDC holds 3 matchmaking events and a golf outing each year. The 2019 schedule has not been posted yet.

WBE (Woman Business Enterprise)

NWBOC: National Women Business Owners Corporation, a 3rd party certifier that certifies women businesses and a SBA-approved certifier for the WOSB program for both WOSB and EDWOSB status. A woman business owner (or owners) must own, operate, and control at least 51% a US-based business to be eligible for certification; and be a United States citizen or permanent legal resident. Also, the business has to have been in operation for at least six months and have customers/clients. NWBOC also offers MBE and VBE certification.

USWCC: US Women’s Chamber of Commerce, 3^rd party certifier of women owned businesses offering WBE and International WBE certification and is a SBA-approved certifier for the WOSB program for both WOSB and EDWOSB status. A woman business owner (or owners) must own, operate, and control at least 51% a US-based business to be eligible for certification; and be a United States citizen.

Upcoming Events

• National Small Business Federal Contracting Summit – Spring 2019. When: March 27^th-28^th. Where: Washington, DC.
• 10th Annual National Small Business Contracting Summit | Southeast Conference 2019. When: June 13^th. Where: Charleston, SC.

WBENC: Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, the largest 3^rd party certifier that certifies women businesses and a SBA-approved certifier for the WOSB program for WOSB status only. A woman business owner (or owners) must own, operate, and control at least 51% a US-based business to be eligible for certification; and be a United States citizen or permanent legal resident. WBENC is affiliated with WEConnect International who certifies women-owned businesses internationally including: Canada, China, Europe, and India.

Upcoming Events

• Summit & Salute. When: March 11^th-13^th. Where: Houston, TX.
• National Conference & Business Fair. When: Jane 25^th-27^th. Where: Baltimore, MD.

Note: While United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is not a certifier, they do hold an annual conference: USHCC Conference. Taking place in Los Angeles, CA this year from September 30^th – October 2^nd.