All Certifications

Certifications

Definition

Certifying Agency

AABE

African American Business Enterprise

A business that is at least 51% owned, controlled, and operated by African Americans. Its purpose is to increase participation of African American entrepreneurs in the economy.

ABE

Asian American Business Enterprise

A business that is at least 51% owned, controlled, and operated by Asian Americans. This certification helps to promote the inclusion of Asian American businesses in public and private sector projects.

BEPD

Business Enterprise Program for the Disabled

A certification that supports for-profit businesses that are at least 51% owned and operated by individuals with disabilities. This certification encourages doing business with small businesses owned and operated by people with disabilities.

BSBE

Banks Small Business Enterprise

Certification for small businesses that meet the criteria of size and revenue, allowing them to participate in the local public dollars phase of The Banks development in Cincinnati, OH.

CBE

Certified Business Enterprise

A designation given to businesses that meet specific criteria set by local or state economic development programs.

CMBL

Centralized Master Bidders List

A list maintained by certain states that includes vendors who have met the qualifications to bid on state contracts, streamlining the procurement process.

CSB

Cleveland Small Business

A designation for small businesses operating within the city of Cleveland, aimed at fostering local economic growth and supporting small enterprises.

DBB

Detroit Based Business

A business that operates primarily within Detroit city limits, with the majority of employees and operations based in the city, qualifying for local business incentives.

DBMB

Detroit Based Micro Business

Certification for small businesses operating in Detroit with limited employees or revenue, typically under a specific threshold, allowing them to access local business incentives.

DHB

Detroit Headquartered Business

A business that has its main office or headquarters in Detroit, often qualifying for local incentives or preferences in city-based contracts.

DIBE

Disabled Business Enterprise

A business that is at least 51% owned, controlled, and operated by individuals with disabilities, providing them with access to public and private sector opportunities.

DOBE

Disability-Owned Business Enterprise

A business that is at least 51% owned, controlled, and operated by individuals with disabilities, promoting their inclusion in various contracting opportunities.

DRB

Detroit Resident Based Business

A business where the owner is a Detroit resident and meets certain criteria, often aimed at encouraging local entrepreneurship and economic development within the city.

DSB

Detroit Small Business

A certification for businesses in Detroit that meet size and revenue criteria to be classified as a small business, allowing access to local resources and contracting opportunities.

DSBE

Persons with Disabilities, Disabled Business Enterprise

A designation for businesses owned by persons with disabilities, helping them to gain access to contracts and procurement opportunities.

DSU

Detroit Start Up

Certification for newly established businesses in Detroit, typically within their first few years of operation, aimed at promoting and supporting local entrepreneurship.

DVBE

Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise

A business that is at least 51% owned, controlled, and operated by disabled veterans, providing opportunities for veterans who have service-related disabilities.

DVOB

Disabled Veteran Owned Enterprise

A business that is at least 51% owned, controlled, and operated by a disabled veteran.

DZE

Development Enterprise Zone

A business with this certification operates in a zone designated to boost economic growth through tax incentives and local business support.

EBE

Emerging Business Enterprise

A certification for new or small businesses that are in the early stages of growth, providing them with opportunities to compete in the marketplace.

EDGE

Encouraging Diversity, Growth, and Equity

A certification granted by the EDGE Program to businesses that are at least one year old and 51% owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, or is located in a qualified census tract and the owner is economically disadvantaged.

EIE

Equity Impact Enterprise

A business that has a significant positive impact on equity and inclusion within its community or industry, often recognized by local or state programs.

ELBE

Emerging Local Business Enterprise

A certification for small businesses that are emerging in their industries and are local to the certifying state or city, providing them with support and opportunities to grow and compete.

ESB

Emerging Small Business

A certification for small businesses that are emerging in their industries, providing them with support and opportunities to grow and compete.

ESBE

Emerging Small Business Enterprise

A certification for small businesses that are emerging in their industries, providing them with support and opportunities to grow and compete.

FBE

Female Business Enterprise

A business that is at least 51% owned, controlled, and operated by a female, aimed at promoting the participation of women in business.

HABE

Hispanic American Business Enterprise

A business that is at least 51% owned, controlled, and operated by Hispanic Americans, promoting their participation in the economy and access to contracting opportunities.

IVBE

Indiana Veteran Owned Small Business Enterprise

A business that is at least 51% owned and operated by veterans, certified by the state of Indiana, with eligibility for veteran-specific small business programs.

IWDBE

Individual with Disabilities Owned Business Enterprise

A business that is at least 51% owned, controlled, and operated by individuals with disabilities, helping to integrate them into the business community.

LBE

Local Business Enterprise

A designation given to a business that operates within a specific local area, often receiving support and preferences in local government contracting to boost the local economy.

LDB

Local Disadvantaged Business

A designation for businesses in a local area that are owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, providing them with access to local contracting opportunities.

LGBTBE

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Business Enterprise

A business that is at least 51% owned, controlled, and operated by LGBTQ individuals, promoting diversity and inclusion in the business community.

LME

Local Manufacturing Business Enterprise

A manufacturing business that operates locally, often receiving support to enhance local production and economic development.

LPE

Local Producer Enterprise

A business that produces goods locally, supporting the local economy and reducing the carbon footprint associated with transportation.

LRB

Longtime Resident Business

A business that has been established and operating in a community for an extended period, contributing to local stability and economic growth.

LSB

Local Small Business

A small business that operates within a specific local area, often receiving preferences in local government contracting to support economic development.

MAB

Minority Affiliated Business

A business affiliated with minority ownership and control, promoting the inclusion of minority entrepreneurs in the economy.

Micro

Micro Business Enterprise

A business with this certification participates in a program that assists Small/Micro Business Enterprises (SBEs/MBEs) in their pursuit of contracting opportunities with a local government or municipality.

MSD-SBE

Metropolitan Sewer District Small Business Enterprise

Certification for small businesses that meet size standards set by the Metropolitan Sewer District, typically focused on businesses involved in sewer and water-related projects.

MWBE

Minority and/or Women Business Enterprise

A business that is at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by individuals who are minorities or women, and is certified to participate in diversity-focused contracting programs.

NABE

Native American Business Enterprise

A business that is at least 51% owned, controlled, and operated by Native Americans, providing them with access to contracting opportunities and resources.

NLBE

Nonprofit Local Business Enterprise

This certification is for businesses who are nonprofit, local businesses.

PBE

Preferred Business Enterprise

A business that has been designated as preferred for certain purposes, often receiving advantages in contracting and procurement processes.

PDBE

Physically Disabled Business Enterprise

A business that is at least 51% owned, controlled, and operated by physically disabled individuals, promoting their inclusion in various business opportunities.

PLBE

Public Utilities Commission Local Business Enterprise

The PLBE or PUC-LBE is a local business certification for businesses located outside of San Francisco in the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Water System Service Area.

PWSBE

Public Works Small Business Enterprise

A business at least 51% owned and controlled by an economically disadvantaged individual who manages its day-to-day operations. This certification provides support for participation in public works contracting.

ROB

Resident Owned Business

A business that is owned by residents of a specific area, supporting local economic development and community stability.

SBE

Small Business Enterprise

A business that meets the criteria for small business status, providing them with access to various resources and contracting opportunities.

SBEC

Small Business Enterprise Concessionaire

A small business that operates concessions, often within public facilities like airports and stadiums.

SBPP

Small Business Purchasing Program

A program designed to facilitate purchasing from small businesses, promoting their inclusion in procurement processes.

SDVBE

Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Enterprise

A business that is at least 51% owned, controlled, and operated by service-disabled veterans, promoting their inclusion in various contracting opportunities.

SDVOB

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business

A business that is at least 51% owned, controlled, and operated by service-disabled veterans, providing them with access to federal contracting opportunities.

SDVOBE

Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Enterprise

A business that is at least 51% owned, controlled, and operated by service-disabled veterans, promoting their inclusion in various business opportunities.

Section3

HUD Section 3

A designation awarded to a business that is at least 51% owned by Section 3 residents, has at least 30% of its full-time employees as Section 3 residents (or individuals who were Section 3 residents within three years of their hire date), or commits at least 25% of awarded subcontracts to qualifying businesses.

SEDB

Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Business

A business owned by individuals who are socially and economically disadvantaged, as defined by factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, or economic hardship.

SEDBE

Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Business Enterprise

A business owned by non-minority men who qualify as socially and economically disadvantaged.

SLBE

Small Local Business Enterprise

A small business that operates within a specific local area, often receiving preferences in local government contracting to support economic development.

SPSF

Small Professional Services Firm

A small business providing professional services, which can include consulting, legal, architectural, and engineering services.

SRP

Storefront Renovation Program

A small business participating in a program that assists with renovating storefronts to improve the aesthetics and economic viability of commercial districts.

SUBE

Sustainable Business Enterprise

A business that operates in a sustainable manner, often incorporating environmentally friendly practices into their operations.

SVOB

Small Veteran-Owned Business

A small business that is at least 51% owned, controlled, and operated by veterans, promoting their participation in the economy and access to contracting opportunities.

SWS

Sheltered Workshop

A business that provides employment opportunities and a supportive work environment to individuals with disabilities.

VBE

Veteran Business Enterprise

A business that is at least 51% owned, controlled, and operated by veterans. The purpose of this certification is to promote the inclusion of veterans in economic opportunities.

VOB

Veteran-Owned Business

A business that is at least 51% owned, controlled, and operated by veterans. The purpose of this certification is to promote the inclusion of veterans in economic opportunities.

VOBE

Veteran-Owned Business Enterprise

A business that is at least 51% owned, controlled, and operated by veterans. The purpose of this certification is to promote the inclusion of veterans in economic and contracting opportunities.

VSBE

Very Small Business Enterprise

A business that meets the criteria for very small business status, often receiving support and resources to help them grow.

WAB

Women Affiliated Business

A business affiliated with women ownership and control, providing opportunities and resources for women entrepreneurs.