What Are the Qualifications to Become a Certified Woman-Owned Business?

You can certify your Illinois business for a WOSB if you meet the following criteria:

• More than half (51%) of the company is owned and controlled by women
• Women owners must be US citizens with official documentation
• The person at the top of the hierarchy must be a woman with technical expertise
• The company must qualify as a small business per the SBA’s rules

What Is a MBE- Minority Business Enterprise?

MBE signifies that an individual who is a minority is the primary owner of the business.

What groups are considered minority groups in the U.S.? There are seven federally recognized minority groupings:

• Hispanic/Latino Americans
• Black/African Americans
• Asian Americans
• Arab/Middle Eastern Americans
• Native Americans
• Alaska Natives
• Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

What Are the Qualifications to Become a Certified Minority Business Enterprise?

• Be at least 51% minority-owned and operated by a U.S. citizen from one of the recognized U.S. minority groups
• Have daily operations and management carried out by the minority ownership members
• Be a for-profit business that is physically located in the U.S. or trust territories

DBE-Certification for Minority or Women-owned Businesses

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Certification by U.S. Department of Transportation through State transportation authorities for minorities or women-owned businesses, or other socially and economically disadvantaged individuals such as persons with disabilities. Economic Disadvantage means, in general terms, excluding the primary residence and ownership in the applicant firm, a socially disadvantaged individual who does not have a personal net worth in excess of $1.32 million; (see FAQS below for additional information).

What Are the Qualifications to Become a DBE Business?

You can certify your Illinois business for a WOSB if you meet the following criteria:

• More than half (51%) of the company is owned and controlled by women or minority
• Be Social Disadvantage
• US citizens with official documentation
• The person at the top of the hierarchy must be a woman with technical expertise
• The company must qualify as a small business per the SBA’s rules
• Be a for-profit business, located in the United States
• A firm’s three-year, average of annual gross receipts, may not exceed $28.48 million; however, post-certification, other small business size standards may apply;