Business Ownership Certifications

Businesses who undergo a formal certification process by applying through a federal, state, local government or third-party national certifying agency may possess one of the following business ownership certifications.

Classification Type	Definition	Certifying Agency
Disability-Owned Business Enterprise (DOBE)	To be certified as a Disability-Owned Enterprise, a firm must be at least 51% owned, operated, controlled, and managed by a person with a disability.	Disability:IN
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)	To be certified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, a firm must be a business owned and at least 51% owned & controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individual(s).	City of Baton Rouge City of New Orleans Louisiana Unified Certification Program (LAUCP) U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)	To be certified as a minority-owned business, a firm must be at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by one or more people who are Asian-Indian, Asian-Pacific, Black, Hispanic or Native American.	National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) US Pan Asian Chamber of Commerce (USPAACC)
Small Business (SBE)	SAM registered and meeting the requirements of a small business as defined by the U.S. SBA. To be certified as a U.S. SBA 8(a)-SBA Business, a firm must be at least 51% owned and controlled by U.S. citizens who are socially and economically disadvantaged, have not been previously certified as an 8(a), have a personal net worth of $750K or less, adjusted gross income of $350K or less and $6 million or less in assets, demonstrate good character and potential to perform on contracts. The Hudson Initiative and Small and Emerging Business Development certifications are open to all Louisiana businesses that meet the eligibility requirements of Louisiana Economic Development (LED).	Louisiana Economic Development (LED) U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
Veteran-Owned Business (VOB)	To be certified as a Veteran/Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, a firm must be at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more service-disabled veteran(s), have one or more service-disabled veteran(s) manage day-to-day operations and also make long-term decisions. Eligible veterans must have a service-connected disability. The Louisiana Veteran Entrepreneurship certification is open to Louisiana military personnel (active duty, Reservists and Veterans) who have the intent to start a business.	Louisiana Economic Development (LED) National Veteran Business Development Council (NVBDC) U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE)	To be certified as a Women’s Business Enterprise, a firm must be at least 51% woman-owned, operated, and controlled.	National Women’s Business Owners Corporation (NWBOC) U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)

Certification documentation must be provided in the onboarding process and will be vetted for compliance.

Rev 01/13/25