Empowering and educating women business enterprises
What is GWBC®?
Founded in 2000, the Greater Women’s Business Council (GWBC®) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and a trusted regional partner of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). As a third-party certifier, GWBC® delivers a world-class certification process that rigorously vets women-owned businesses for procurement opportunities with major corporations and government entities.
Certification
Your Business. Verified. Valued. Visible.
WBE certification formally verifies your woman owned business through a nationally recognized third party review—boosting credibility and positioning you for opportunities that prioritize supplier inclusion.
Programs
Programs Built to Move Women‐Owned Businesses Forward.GWBC® designs high‐impact programming that helps women entrepreneurs sharpen operations, strengthen leadership, and elevate their visibility in the marketplace. Each initiative is intentionally built to help founders grow smarter, lead stronger, and compete with confidence.
Events
Step Into Rooms That Move Your Business Forward. (bold)GWBC hosts a vibrant calendar of events that bring women entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, and decision‐makers together. From educational webinars to relationship‐building luncheons and dinners, these experiences are intentionally designed to help you grow, connect, and be seen.
Resources
Wherever you are in your business journey, support shouldn’t be hard to find. (Bold)If you’re launching, scaling, or looking for the right connections to fuel your next move, our curated directory connects you to trusted nonprofits, government agencies, and partner organizations offering funding, guidance, and growth resources. New opportunities are added regularly—so it’s worth checking back often.
Powering the Growth of Businesses Across the Southeast
The Greater Women’s Business Council (GWBC®) serves one of the fastest‐growing regions for our businesses in the nation—and we are at the center of that momentum. Through education, certification, access to capital, and high‐impact connections, GWBC® equips women entrepreneurs across Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina with the tools and relationships needed to compete, scale, and lead.
Each year, GWBC® achieves an average 10% growth in certified women‐owned businesses, a powerful indicator of our reach, relevance, and continued impact. This sustained growth reflects our unwavering commitment to strengthening the ecosystem for women entrepreneurs and expanding opportunities where they matter most.
From day one, GWBC® has been built on strong corporate leadership. Launched with the support of founding members Delta Air Lines and UPS, the organization was established as a regional leader in supplier development and inclusion—setting a standard that continues to shape our work today.
Our mission is clear and enduring: to advance, promote, and advocate for Women Business Enterprises (WBEs) through certification, education, mentorship, and strategic corporate partnerships. With Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina as a part of our region: we proudly serve three of the fastest‐growing states for women‐owned businesses, as recognized by the American Express State of Women‐Owned Business Report.
Today, GWBC® is supported by a robust network of the nation’s most recognized and respected brands. These organizations are deeply committed to supplier inclusion and to driving economic growth by investing in our certified businesses throughout the region.
Together, we are not just supporting women‐owned businesses—we are building pathways to opportunity, influence, and long‐term economic impact.
Over the past 25 years, GWBC® has been recognized as “Best in Class” within the WBENC network, supported more than 125 WBEs through mentoring programs, offered high-impact educational and networking initiatives such as the Accelerate Education Series, Cohort Programs and Power of Partnering events. In addition, GWBC has partnered with corporate organizations through grant initiatives to grow and support small businesses owned by women founders.
Being certified is the best way to gain access to resources and connections to accelerate your business growth!
GWBC Stats and Facts*
wBENC
Certified WBEs
Generated Revenue
Employ
Number of GWBC Certified Businesses by State
north carolina
South carolina
Georgia
- Top industries include: Professional, Scientific & Technical Services, Construction, Wholesale Trade, Administrative & Support Services, Waste Management & Remediation Services, Transportation & Warehousing
- Corporate and government members total 40+ engaged entities
- Events and programs attract 1,700+ attendees
(*2025 numbers are reported to GWBC®)
Accelerate Your Business
Let our network of certified women businesses and corporate members take your business to new heights. Gain access to a referral network to make valuable connections with notable corporate brands looking to pair with certified small businesses. In addition, you’ll receive invitations to participate in networking events, matchmaker meetings and trade shows with other women business enterprises (WBEs) and corporate and government buyers.
GWBC® empowers certified women-owned businesses by connecting them to the people, opportunities and resources that fuel growth. Through our expansive network of corporate members and certified WBEs, you gain access to valuable referral opportunities and direct connections with leading corporate brands actively seeking to partner with small businesses.
As part of the GWBC® community, you’ll receive invitations to high-impact networking events, educational programs and curated matchmaker meetings designed to foster meaningful relationships with corporate and government buyers — all focused on helping your business scale and succeed.
Upcoming Events & Programs
Meet GWBC's Female Founders
GWBC® was the first regional partner organization of WBENC to form a collaborative partnership with Business RadioX, an internet radio and podcasting platform that promotes our certified women businesses and corporate partners.
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GWBC® is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs. When you donate today, you directly support programs that help women bring their visions to life — becoming a champion for your daughter, sister, mother, friend and future generations of women business owners.
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