Latest news with #WBEs
Business Journals
21-04-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
GWBC® Empowering Women-Owned Businesses in the Southeast
In the ever-evolving world of entrepreneurship, women-owned businesses continue to reshape industries, economies and communities through collaboration and connection. Leading this transformation is the Greater Women's Business Council (GWBC®), a nonprofit dedicated to the certification, development and success of women-owned businesses across Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. With a mission to advance and advocate for women business owners through certification, education, mentoring and corporate partnerships, GWBC is a trusted catalyst for growth celebrating its 25th year. As a Regional Partner Organization of the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the most respected national certification body for women-owned businesses, GWBC plays a pivotal role daily in the future of female entrepreneurship. The Power of Certification At the core of GWBC®'s impact is WBENC certification, a gold-standard credential that opens doors to large corporations, partnerships and programs. Certification provides: • Access to matchmaking events and pitch opportunities • Visibility to corporate and government buyers • Eligibility for targeted funding, education and training programs • Enhanced credibility and competitiveness GWBC® believes in nurturing long-term success by providing tools and connections that go beyond paperwork. We foster collaboration among women and invite others who champion inclusive commerce to join our growing community. A Community of Certified Excellence As of April 17, 2025, GWBC® supports more than 1,600 WBENC-certified women-owned businesses, generating more than $11.4 billion in revenue and employing more than 50,000 people in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. GWBC® WBEs are sparking innovation and creating jobs in the Southeast's most competitive markets. More importantly, they are trusted collaborators and key partners in building thriving communities. Innovation at Work: The WBE Collaborative In 2024, GWBC® launched The WBE Collaborative, a visionary co-working space in Atlanta's Bank of America Plaza. Designed as a hub for certified WBEs, women entrepreneurs and corporates can gather to connect and collaborate at The WBE Collaborative. The space offers a high-profile setting that enhances credibility and visibility, with thoughtfully designed workspaces conducive to productivity and interaction. Whether a women business owner needs a polished client meeting space, a quiet work area or a venue for training, The WBE Collaborative delivers. This unique space reflects GWBC®'s commitment to supporting both start-ups and scalable businesses with the resources they need to flourish in every phase of their entrepreneurial journey. By combining physical workspace with programming, The WBE Collaborative fills a critical gap in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, especially for women navigating early-stage challenges or transitioning to growth phases. Monthly and day rates provide flexibility for various business needs. Engaging, Educating & Elevating GWBC® hosts a full calendar of programs across its tri-state region designed to connect WBEs with the ideas, resources and networks needed to succeed, including: • Workshops and Peer Cohorts • Webinars and Speaker Series • Networking Events These offerings help WBEs gain visibility, sharpen skills and build authentic relationships. Championing Inclusive Growth Through Partnership GWBC®'s reach is amplified by its 33+ corporate and government members, which are interested in working with vetted suppliers that can offer new solutions to their ongoing issues. These corporate partners help to create a dynamic ecosystem where WBEs can grow and compete at the highest level. Sponsorship with GWBC® offers: • Increased visibility in the women-owned business community • Connections with powerful and vetted women-led companies GWBC believes that when women connect, everyone wins. By fostering collaboration, expanding opportunity and championing inclusivity, we're not only strengthening individual businesses—we're driving regional prosperity. Empowering Progress Through Collaboration At GWBC®, we believe lasting success is built through connection, collaboration and community. That's why everything we do is rooted in the power of partnering. Through certification, education and advocacy, we support women-owned businesses while working alongside corporations, community leaders and economic development partners to foster inclusive growth. The journey to business success looks different for everyone but with strong partnerships, innovative thinking and shared goals, we're creating pathways that uplift businesses, strengthen communities and drive sustainable impact. Whether you're a woman entrepreneur exploring certification, a corporate partner seeking suppliers or a community leader committed to economic advancement, GWBC® invites you to be part of a collective effort that is shaping the future of business. Learn more at
Business Journals
21-04-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
GWBC®: Powering Women Entrepreneurs and Fueling Economic Growth in North Carolina
The Greater Women's Business Council® (GWBC®) is a dynamic nonprofit organization committed to championing women-owned businesses (WBEs) across North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. As a regional affiliate of the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), GWBC® is the go-to resource for WBENC's gold-standard certification, which provides women business owners with the national credibility and visibility needed to compete for business with major corporations. GWBC® currently has approximately 1,600 certified women owned businesses with revenues totaling $11.4 billion and 50,000 employees in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. North Carolina and particularly the city of Charlotte, has emerged as a hotbed for women-owned business growth, with women entrepreneurs contributing significantly to the region's economic vitality. GWBC®, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, plays a critical role in accelerating this momentum by connecting certified WBEs with corporations and government, providing strategic business education and offering access to resources and meaningful networking and matchmaking opportunities. GWBC®'s mission is simple but powerful: to advance, promote and advocate for women business owners through certification, mentoring, education and corporate partnering. Certification That Opens Doors For many corporations, supplier inclusion is a business imperative. Most Fortune 1000 companies actively seek partnerships with unique and innovative businesses, including women-owned enterprises. However, gaining access to these opportunities often requires vetting, and that's where WBENC certification has its true value. This robust verification process ensures that a business is at least 51% owned, controlled, operated and managed by a woman or women. While certification alone doesn't guarantee contracts, it's a powerful marketing and business development tool. Certified WBEs are given a seat at the table, but it's up to them to use that seat wisely by building relationships, attending events and staying engaged with both corporate partners and their fellow business owners. GWBC® provides a thriving ecosystem where this level of engagement and growth can happen. North Carolina's Women-Owned Business Landscape North Carolina ranks among the top states for the fastest-growing number of women-owned businesses, and Charlotte stands out as a hub of entrepreneurial activity and corporate engagement. GWBC® has been instrumental in nurturing this environment by aligning women-owned businesses with some of the nation's most well-known corporate brands interested in actively partnering with certified WBEs to solve business issues. Through these partnerships, WBEs are given the opportunity to grow their operations, create jobs and contribute meaningfully to the regional and statewide economy. Whether it's a Charlotte-based marketing agency securing a Fortune 500 contract or a tech startup in Raleigh breaking into the national supply chain, the ripple effects of certification are transforming North Carolina's business landscape. The Power of Partnering June 10 One of GWBC®'s most impactful initiatives is its annual 'Power of Partnering' or POP North Carolina event, which will take place in Charlotte on June 10 (early registration ends May 16). This high-energy, half-day event brings together certified WBEs, corporate partners, community stakeholders and business advocates to connect, collaborate and celebrate collaboration in business. Designed to create meaningful engagement through networking and matchmaking, the event offers subject matter experts and one-on-one meetings with buyers. A centerpiece of this year's POP NC event will be the Perfect Pitch competition, a thrilling opportunity for North Carolina-based women-owned businesses to present their company's product or service to a panel of corporate buyers and judges. This Shark Tank-style pitch competition is designed to help WBEs hone their business storytelling, elevate their visibility and possibly walk away with new business opportunities and $1,000. It's more than a competition — it's a platform for visibility, growth and inspiration. The winner and runner-up will then advance to the national stage at the WBENC Perfect Pitch competition in the fall for a chance to win $25,000. Building a Stronger Future—Together Women bring a powerful spirit of collaboration and partnership to the business world—and that spirit is helping shape the future in cities like Charlotte. By certifying women-owned businesses and creating strategic pathways to opportunity, GWBC® is empowering entrepreneurs, strengthening supply chains and driving inclusive economic growth. GWBC® continues to champion not only women in business but also broader collaboration across communities. By engaging other champions of commerce and economic development, GWBC® is working together to create a stronger, more inclusive future for all.
