Women-Owned Businesses

Resources for Women-Owned Businesses

Women-owned businesses are a powerful force in the economy. Whether you're just starting out, scaling your business, or looking to connect with other women entrepreneurs, these organizations can support and empower you at every stage of your journey.

Oregon Women’s Business Center at Livelihood NW

Livelihood NW is the home of the Oregon Women's Business Center (OWBC) in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). This collaboration is fostering inclusive growth and prosperity for historically marginalized entrepreneurs.

  • Get started by submitting a request through Open Business Advising. There is no charge for Open Business Advising and anyone in Oregon or SW Washington is welcome.

  • You can nominate a business for any of their programs and services, and they will follow up with them.

  • OWBC is active on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. They will post to those channels as soon as they can share more.

    Their newsletter goes out once per month, and they will announce OWBC updates there, too! You can sign up for their newsletter here.

SBA - Women-Owned Businesses

Women-owned businesses

The U.S. Small Business Administration - SBA helps women entrepreneurs launch new businesses and compete in the marketplace. Connect with their training and funding opportunities specifically for women.

Business Oregon Women-Business Enterprises - WBE Certification

Women Business Enterprise (WBE) certifications are for women-owned businesses seeking opportunities for state, county, and city government, and special jurisdiction (e.g. hospitals and universities) contracts. WBE is based on the individual rather than the size of the business.

  • The business must:

    • Be for profit (OAR 123-200-1230(1)

    • Be registered with the Oregon Secretary of State (OAR 123-200-1230(1)​

    • Have gross annual receipts (3-year average) not exceeding $30.72 million (OAR 123-200-1100(16), and

    The business owner must:

    • Be a U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted, permanent resident (49 CFR 26.67(a)

    • Own and control 51 percent or more of the business (OAR 123-200-1220);

    • Control and manage day-to-day operations (OAR 123-200-1240);

    • Have proper licensing (e.g. engineer, plumber) (OAR 123-200-1240(8)(a) and

    • Have made a contribution of capital (OAR 123-200-1220(6)

    • The business owner should also expect a phone interview and possible site visit, which includes office, shop, and job site when applicable (OAR 123-200-1300(6)

    1. Use the Application Checklist to gather all necessary records.

    2. Visit the Certification Management System to access the e-application and apply for M/WBE Certification.

    If you do not have the ability to access the e-application process please send an email to the COBID team at 

    cobid.web@oregon.gov to receive a hard copy application.

Women to Women Network

The Women to Women Network is a community of women dedicated to helping women make meaningful connections, build partnerships, create friendships, and help each other grow. They provide a forum for collaboration, mentoring, and sharing ideas, resources, and inspiration.

  • Women to Women Network offers several in-person events through their Regions and Chapters, as well as a calendar of virtual events. These serve as opportunities for members and guests to make meaningful connections, learn about various topics that help them grow personally and professionally, and establish collaborative relationships within their communities.

  • Blog — Women to Women Network (wtownetwork.com)

  • Women to Women Network strives to meet women where they are and curate tailored experiences. They have representation of Professional Memberships operating in multiple states and have established multiple Regions within those states to better accommodate their members.

  • A membership with Women to Women Network focuses on collaboration, opportunities for growth, and establishing meaningful connections.

    Members receive several benefits - from expertise and resources to promotional opportunities and an ever-expanding network.

Xcelerate Women

Xcelerate Women has helped more than a thousand historically marginalized business owners step into their confidence as leaders. Through education, peer mentorship, and coaching—meaningful growth happens together.

  • Xcelerate Women is eager to hear from Business owners who need a hand. Contact them and a team member will get in touch.

  • Join a small group of women business owners like you, matched by growth stage and needs. Peer groups are a facilitated space to share successes and struggles, collaborate and ideate, set goals and hold each other accountable. And perhaps more than anything, realize you’re not on this journey alone.

  • Join Xcelerate Women for educational workshops and business community discussions with virtual, in-person, and hybrid options. Dive deeper into important topics and build meaningful skills in: Growth Strategy and Mindset, HR and Leadership, Financial Management, Marketing, Operations and Sales.

  • Xcelerate Women can connect you to talented experts to guide you through the barriers and opportunities you’re facing today. Depending on your need, your coach might be an experienced industry voice or an expert in a key area, like financing, marketing, or operations.

  • Xcelerate Women's partner Rational Unicorn Legal Services will provide legal insights to help you make informed choices about your situation. This program does not pay for legal representation or services.

  • Building a business is stressful and can surface trauma. Xcelerate offers mental wellness support that’s trauma-informed and gender and culturally competent. These services are not an ongoing therapeutic relationship.