Certification can put a business in front of state contracting opportunities. It does not pay your crew while you wait for the invoice to clear.
Apply Now →Empire State Development's Division of Minority and Women's Business Development, which handles MWBE certification in New York State, says it provides resources to help businesses become MWBE certified, grow their business, find opportunities with state agencies and connect with other certified firms. It also points to the Empire State MWBE Hub, a platform for certification, appeals and access to state contracting opportunities, and an online assessment tool to check whether a business qualifies. Eligibility rules, documentation and timelines are set by the state, and we do not summarize them here. Start on the Empire State Development website.
Being certified can help a contractor or supplier get noticed for work. It does not change the way money moves once you win. Public and large-project work still follows its own payment calendar: you perform, you submit, someone reviews and approves, and eventually you are paid. Your costs do not follow that calendar.
| Cost | Why it comes first |
|---|---|
| Payroll and crew mobilization | Workers start before any payment is processed |
| Materials and supplies | Suppliers often want payment sooner than owners get paid |
| Insurance and bonding costs | Larger jobs often call for higher limits up front |
| Vehicles and equipment | Added capacity has to be paid for before it earns |
| Administrative time | Bidding, paperwork and compliance take hours that earn nothing |
A small certified supplier wins a contract that doubles its monthly volume. It must buy double the stock and add two employees. Payment on the first deliveries comes after review and processing. For a period the business spends far more than it receives. Without cash on hand, the owner may have to turn down part of the work, which defeats the purpose of winning it. This is an invented example and does not describe our terms or any certified firm's results.
We fund $25,000 to $5,000,000, in as little as 24 hours, consider FICO 500 and above and ask for about three months of business bank statements. No tax returns are required, the application takes about five minutes and uses a soft credit pull. Sole proprietors can apply. Funding is not tied to certification status.
Empire State Development's Division of Minority and Women's Business Development. Its website links to the MWBE Hub and an eligibility assessment tool.
No. Funding is not tied to certification.
Certification does not change payment timelines. Follow the terms of each contract.
No. Use the state's assessment tool and read its requirements.
Yes. Sole proprietors can apply.
Three months of business bank statements and a 5-minute application. FICO 500+ considered. $25,000 to $5,000,000, funded in as little as 24 hours.
Apply Now →It takes about two minutes and it will not affect your credit score.
No obligation • No impact to your credit score
