Which certification fits you

There are several certifications, each for a different owner, and you may qualify for more than one. The rule of thumb for most: you need to be at least 51% owned, controlled, and run day-to-day by the person who qualifies. Knowing which ones you're eligible for is the first step — you can hold several at once, and each opens a different set of doors.

Do this

1. Women-owned: WOSB (federal) and WBENC (corporate) — 51%+ owned and controlled by one or more women.
2. Veteran-owned: VOSB / SDVOSB (service-disabled) — for veterans; strong federal set-asides.
3. Minority-owned: MBE via NMSDC (corporate) and SBA 8(a) (federal, for socially/economically disadvantaged owners).
4. Also check: LGBTQ-owned (NGLCC), disability-owned (Disability:IN), and place-based ones like HUBZone (next lesson).

The certification menu (51%+ owned & controlled)

You may qualify for more than one — hold several if you do.

WOMEN-OWNED WOSB / EDWOSB (federal, via SBA) · WBENC (corporate) VETERAN-OWNED VOSB / SDVOSB — service-disabled gets extra federal set-asides MINORITY-OWNED MBE via NMSDC (corporate) · SBA 8(a) program (federal, 9-yr development) LGBTQ-OWNED Certified by the NGLCC (National LGBT Chamber of Commerce) DISABILITY-OWNED Certified by Disability:IN PLACE-BASED HUBZone + rural programs — see the next lesson

The common thread: 51%+ owned, controlled, and actively managed by the qualifying owner. Not sure? A free APEX Accelerator or SBDC advisor will tell you what you qualify for.