Women-owned Businesses with WBE Certifications in California get Special Funding and Benefits
Government programs are available for women-owned businesses with a WBE certification in California. Obtain an WBE certification and benefit from business loans, investment capital, disaster assistance, surety bonds, special grants, commercial and federal contracts, business networks, and client databases by obtaining one of the following:
- WBE (Women-owned Business Enterprise)
- WOSB (Women-owned Small Business)
- WBEA (Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance)
- WBENC (Women’s Business Enterprise National Council)
Over 4.7 million small businesses are owned and operated by women, minorities, and veterans—and are to thank for creating 4.7 million jobs within the last 10 years. Unfortunately, such small businesses face a layer of vulnerability obscure to their majority counterparts. Women-owned businesses are much less likely to get contracts, loans, and on average, get half of what they otherwise would from lenders and investors. To stimulate the economy and help disadvantaged small businesses compete, the government is offering special programs to those that get certified in California. The programs are not designed to be charity, nor do they give women-owned businesses special treatment; it is an attempt to level out the playing field by increasing visibility and the number of potential opportunities.
How to get Women-owned Business Certification in California?
To get a Women-owned business certification in California, you and your company or corporation must meet specific criteria and qualifications. First, your business must be at least 51% owned, managed, and operated by women group members of U.S. citizenry and have good moral character. The company, corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, or franchise must be for-profit and located in the U.S. or its trust territories.
How to register as a women-owned business?
To register as a women-owned business and obtain an WBE certification in California, you can start the process today by filling our online form or by calling (800) 603-3900. Applying for an WBE certification is a legal process; our in-house lawyers can help you meet the certification criteria and qualify for the special funding and benefits it provides. Please note that a women-owned business WBE certification includes legal documents such as the articles of incorporation or certificate of organization, stock certificates, company minutes, operating agreements, and corporate bylaws, among other records. Our law firm helps women-owned businesses incorporate, litigate, and satisfy government guidelines, giving you a fair chance to grow into a profitable and sustainable entity. Utilize our arsenal of legal and business abilities to your full advantage. Call us for a free consultation now!
Company records book and seal are important in obtaining your WBE certification. If you’ve lost your corporate kit, we can help you replace it when processing your application.
California WBE Certification Benefits
The WBE certification benefits women-owned entities in California by enabling access to many business opportunities and connections, such as:
- Prospective Buyers
- Government Agencies
- Procurement Professionals
- Capital Funders
- Supplier Databases
- Commercial Contracts
- Federal Contracts
- Technical Assistance
- Leadership Tools
- Technology Programs
- Educational Programs
- Affordable Consulting
- Networking Opportunities
- Exposure to other WBE’s
- Partnership Opportunities
- Business Opportunity Exchange
- Annual Golf Tournament
- Business Alliance Forum
- WBE Annual Business Meeting
WBE Tax Benefits
As an WBE-certified women-owned business, you don’t receive any special federal tax breaks or incentives. However, you can receive tax benefits for working with other WBE’s and those that operate in low-income areas in California. You can also get tax relief from establishing your business in specific zones or locations. Also, entities of certain types may be eligible for tax credits and programs to promote economic development in disadvantaged markets and industries.
Women-owned California Businesses WBE Certification Checklist
The WBE certification checklist below will give you a general guideline on the process of this effort:
- ☑ Review Criteria for Certification.
- ☑ Gather Personal and Business Documentation.
- ☑ Complete the Online Form.
- ☑ Application Review for Accuracy.
- ☑ Legal Advice from Our Lawyers.
- ☑ Application Review by Authorities.
- ☑ Final approval.
Women Loan Programs
You can find several potential loan options for women-owned businesses that obtain the WBE certification in California, including:
- SBA (7) Loans – Up to $5M
- SBA Community Advantage Loans – Up to $250,000
- SBA Microloan Program – Up to $50,000
- Union Bank Business Diversity Lending Program – Up to $2.5M
- Business Center for New Americans – $500 to $50,000
- Business Consortium Fund Loan – $500 to $50,000
How to apply for a Women-owned business grant?
There are grant opportunities for women-owned small businesses that you can find online after obtaining your WBE certification, among those are:
- Grants.gov
- Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
- USDA Rural Business & Waste Disposal Grants
- Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)
- The National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE)
- Asian Women Giving Circle Grants
California WBE Certification Requirements
The requirements for an WBE certification include:
Meeting the Certification Criteria
- United States Citizen.
- Women-owned businesses must be at least 51% owned and operated by women.
- Must be a for-profit entity.
- Must be located in the United States or its Trust Territories.
Requirements for All Businesses
- Driver’s License
- Proof of U.S. Citizenship
- Two Years of Federal Tax Returns
- Current Financial Statements
- Applicable Business Licenses
- Business Lease Agreements
- Proof of EIN
Requirements for Corporations
- Articles of Incorporation
- Corporate Bylaws
- Corporate Minutes
- Stock Certificates
Requirements for LLC’s
- Certificate of Organization
- Operating Agreement
- Company Minutes
- Ownership Certificates
The development of your women-owned business or agency
At Spiegel & Utrera, P.A., we have been committed for decades to providing women-owned businesses affordable business formation with complete records book and seal, experienced legal and business counsel, and written agreements. We’re open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm. Feel free to give us a call at (800) 603-3900 with any business or legal questions; we’re happy to help your WBE-certified business get to the next level.
Order WBE Certifications in the following States:
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky