Why Certification Matters

Indy Chamber News Archives

The cookie cutter image of the “businessman” of old can no longer be applied to today’s entrepreneur. From the board room to the stock room, professionals and executives of companies of all shapes and sizes are challenging the traditional way of thinking and showing off their diverse backgrounds, taking chances on business ideas and making waves across our economy. 

Today, there are an estimated six million minority, women and veteran-owned business enterprises (MBE, WBE, VBE) in the U.S. According to the National Minority Supplier Development Council, these businesses generate an estimated $1 trillion in gross receipts annually. That’s BIG business.  Locally, state and city leaders have set aggressive goals for MBE participation in government contracts and hiring, changing the landscape of business across the Hoosier state.

Being certified as an MBE/WBE/VBE opens up opportunities for securing not only government and municipal contracts, but can elevate your business profile in your community and have a major impact on your bottom line.

The City of Indianapolis’s Department of Minority Women Business Development (DMWBD) is charged with insuring the successful integration of MBE/WBE/VBE firms into the business infrastructure of the city. For business looking into the certification process with the city, many resources are available to help guide you through the process.

“We offer a wide-range of benefits such as advising on relevant procurement procedures; helping the certified businesseswith marketing and networking efforts and arranging outreach and informational events on a regular basis to find out how to improve the company’s activities,” said Gregory Wilson, the City’s DMWBD Director. “We think it is important to keep businesses abreast with the City’s upcoming projects so they know when contracts with the city may be up for bid.”

Assistance is available to help business owners with the certification application process in many different ways. The Indy Chamber’s Business Ownership Initiative offers free certification workshops in conjunction with the City of Indianapolis and State of Indiana tasking business owners step by step through the process of being certified as a minority-owned business. 

Bottom line, this certification adds one more tool in your toolkit when it comes to marketing your business.

For more information on how to become a certified MBE/WBE/VBE, visit:

• Business Ownership Initiative
• Indiana Department of Administration, Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises Division
• City of Indianapolis, Department of Minority and Women Business Development