Empire State Development, New York's economic development agency, administers the Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) State certification program. The MWBE program is designed to assist the growth and development of businesses owned and controlled by women and minorities. An important activity of the program is to increase the participation of those businesses in New York State procurement opportunities.

Once certified, a company is officially recognized by all State agencies and most public authorities as a bona fide minority- or women-owned business enterprise. Certified MWBEs are listed in the Directory of Certified Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises, which is used by State agencies, public authorities, federal agencies and corporations to find contractors and sub-contractors for procurement opportunities.

A number of State programs are targeted to certified MWBEs in the areas of financing, bonding, education, training and technical assistance.

There are other certification programs available to Minority- and Women- Owned Business Enterprises. See links to the Other Certification Opportunities below. Firms certified with one of these entities may be eligible to use "Fast Track" applications for New York State Certification, which reduces the amount of paperwork that eligible businesses need to complete.