WMBE Program

Empire State Development (ESD) is the economic development arm for New York State, focused on strengthening minority and women’s business opportunities.  

The Division of Minority and Women’s Business Development (DMWBD) focuses on promoting equality of economic opportunities for MWBEs and eliminating barriers to their participation in state contracts. DMWBD supplements New York State's economic leadership with information and resources that increase access to information and opportunities MWBEs throughout the state. For additional information and assistance: https://esd.ny.gov/

Strengthening New York's Economy and Equal Opportunity in State Contracting

Governor Cuomo launched the MWBE Certification Campaign to encourage minority and women business owners to certify with the State and take advantage of current and upcoming State procurement opportunities and billions of dollars in State procurement opportunities.

Under the Governor's leadership, the State has certified more than 4,300 MWBEs and recertified more than 3,600 MWBEs. In 2014, the Governor pledged to increase MWBE certification by an additional 2,000 businesses, a goal that the State exceeded in January 2016. As a result, the number of State-certified firms has more than doubled in just five years. Keeping with his commitment to MWBEs and the small business community, Governor Cuomo has pledged to certify another 2,000 firms over the next two years.

Division of Minority and Women’s Business Development

The Division of Minority and Women’s Business Development (“DMWBD”) wants to partner with you in your success!

Our mission: To promote equality of economic opportunities for MWBEs and to eliminate barriers to their participation in state contracts. We supplement New York State's economic leadership with information and resources that increase access to information and opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses throughout the state. 

Program key objectives:

• Encourage and assist state agencies to award a fair share of contracts to MWBEs.

• Review applications by businesses seeking certification and maintain a directory of certified MWBEs.

• Promote the business development of MWBEs through education and outreach to NYS agencies as well as MWBEs.

Need direct business development help? Connect with the MWBE representatives at: https://esd.ny.gov/about-us/contact-us 

SDVOB Program

The Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Act, signed into law by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo on May 12, 2014, allows eligible Veteran business owners to get certified as a New York State Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (SDVOB). The goal of the Act is to encourage and support eligible SDVOBs to play a greater role in the state's economy by increasing their participation in New York State's contracting opportunities. The OGS Division of Service-Disabled Veterans' Business Development is responsible for certifying eligible SDVOBs and assisting and promoting their participation in the state's procurement activities.

Contact:  Division of Service-Disabled Veterans' Business Development at 32nd Floor, Corning Tower, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12242 (email: VeteransDevelopment@ogs.ny.gov)  or call: 1-518-474-2015

FOR ELIGIBILITY AND CERTIFICATION PLEASE GO TO THE PROGRAM WEBSITE:  https://ogs.ny.gov/veterans