Certification Gives Your Business Competitive Edge
If your business is 51 percent majority-owned by a woman, minority or veteran, certification could present opportunities for your business, but there is a process to becoming certified.
Certification allows you to:
- sell to the government
- apply for set-aside contracts
- operate as a subcontractor
- opens doors to diversity programs
Our expert consultants at the Florida SBDC at USF can assist your business with:
- understanding which certification is most beneficial
- reviewing certification packets to ensure accuracy
- becoming a registered vendor with government entities
- strategizing how to market your business
Frequently Asked Questions
Why get certified?
Being certified as a woman, minority or veteran owned small business opens the doors to working with government entities and gives you a competitive edge.
What is certification?
Certification is applied for through the various city, county and state entities. Having a certification allows you to compete for additional contracts. Your business must be 51 percent owned by a woman, minority or veteran, to qualify.
How do I get certified?
You can gain certification through Hillsborough County, Pinellas County, City of Tampa, City of St. Petersburg and the State of Florida, just to name a few. Most of the time, this can be done online.
What do I do once I get certified?
Once certified as a woman, minority or veteran business, you must register as a vendor with the agencies you choose to work with. The Florida SBDC at USF can help you decide which agencies will be most beneficial for you.