New York is filled with people of different backgrounds, lifestyles, and other unique characteristics. This post provides information on some of the different types of diverse business classifications and how these classifications may benefit your small business.
Women-Owned Businesses
The Office of Women’s Business Ownership (OWBO) helps women entrepreneurs through programs coordinated by SBA district offices. Programs include business training, counseling, federal contracts, and access to credit and capital.
OWBO Mission Statement
The Office of Women’s Business Ownership’s mission is to enable and empower women entrepreneurs through advocacy, outreach, education and support. Through the management and technical assistance provided by the WBCs, entrepreneurs, especially women who are economically or socially disadvantaged, are offered comprehensive training and counseling on a vast array of topics in many languages to help them start and grow their own businesses.
Veteran-Owned Businesses
The Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) program offers resources to veterans, service members, and military spouses who are interested in starting or growing a small business.
What is the Veterans Business Outreach Center Program?
The Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) program is designed to provide entrepreneurial development services such as business training, counseling, and resource partner referrals to service members, veterans, National Guard and Reserve members, military spouses, and family members interested in starting or growing a small business. SBA has 28 organizations participating in this cooperative agreement and serving as VBOCs.
LGBTQ-Owned Businesses
The SBA helps the LGBTQ+ business community thrive, providing resources and funding for many entrepreneurs. Additionally, the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) can certify these businesses, offering more opportunities to gain new investors and build their customer base.
Advantages of Becoming a Certified LGBT Business Enterprise
- National recognition by America’s top corporations as a Certified LGBT Business Enterprise® supplier.
- Eligibility to exhibit at the annual NGLCC International Business and Leadership Conference, as well as at regional events.
- Automatic inclusion in the NGLCC’s online searchable database of certified businesses, which is accessible by NGLCC Corporate Partners.
- Use of the NGLCC Certified Business logo on your marketing materials, which identifies your business as LGBTQ-owned through the NGLCC to an international audience.
- Eligibility to receive sourcing opportunities from the NGLCC and its Corporate Partners.
- Eligibility to participate in mentorship programs, leadership trainings, and scholarship opportunities presented by NGLCC Corporate Partners.
- Eligibility for involvement with the Transgender & Gender Expansive (TGX) Initiative for TGX-owned businesses, and the Communities of Color Initiative (CoCi) for business owners of color.
More Opportunities for Diverse Businesses to Grow
The SBA also provides funding and growth opportunities for other types of diverse small businesses, including:
- Native American-Owned Businesses
- Military Spouse Businesses
- Rural Businesses
- Minority-Owned Businesses
