In order to be Certified in the State of Wisconsin, WBE firms must be at least 51% owned, controlled, and actively managed by one or more women - § State Statute 16.285(1) and Administrative Code 83.20.
Woman-Owned Business Enterprises must be organized as either sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, LLC or joint ventures. WBE firms must be organized on a for profit basis; therefore, nonprofit and 501(c)(3) businesses are not eligible for WBE certification.
In order to be certified, WBEs must be currently performing a useful business function, i.e. have customers other than the State of Wisconsin. WBEs must have at least one customer in the State of Wisconsin.
Firms formed within one year prior to an application for certification or whose ownership or control has changed within one year prior to an application for certification are not considered eligible for WBE certification. Trust ownership as the majority ownership of a WBE must have a woman or women as the owner, beneficiary, and trustee of the trust.
For businesses who are a subsidiary or affiliate, the parent company must be at least 51% owned by a woman owner or owners.
There is a $150 fee for new WBE Certification Applications.
