Get Certified

In partnership with various certifying organizations, including the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, the Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet, and the City of Louisville's Minority Business Enterprise Certification, the Kentucky Minority-Owned Business Database has now centralized the listing of more than 1,100 minority-owned businesses.

Many government agencies receiving federal dollars, major corporations, universities, and school systems have implemented Supplier Diversity Programs. These programs establish goals for the company or organization to award a percentage of their business to minority and women-owned businesses. Certification ensures the business is minority or woman-owned and not a misrepresentation designed to take advantage of the established procurement goals set by the organization.

Once minority-owned businesses get certified through at least one of the partnering organizations listed below, they will be included in the Kentucky Minority-Owned Business Database.

The Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet's Minority and Women Business Enterprise (MWBE) Certification
- Requirement: At least 51% or more owned & operated by a minority or woman
- Regulated by: the state of Kentucky
  - Phone: 502-564-8099
  - Email: MWBE@ky.gov

The City of Louisville's Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Certification
- Eligibility: Minority, women, disabled, veteran, and LGBTQ+ owned businesses
- Requirements: The business must be 51% owned, operated, and controlled (owner involved in the day-to-day operation of the business) by one or more minority individuals, one or more females or one or more disabled persons, or one or more LGBT persons, or one or more veterans, or one or more service-disabled veterans.
  - The 51% owner(s) must be a United States Citizen or a lawfully admitted permanent resident of the United States
- Regulated by: The Louisville and Jefferson County Human Relations Commission
  - Phone: 502-574-3631
  - Email: hrc@louisvilleky.gov

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certification
- Requirement for certification: 51% or more minority or woman-owned & operated business
- Agencies and organizations utilizing this certification: Federal Transportation Agencies and Government Agencies Receiving Federal Funds
- Personal net worth requirements: Less than $1.32 million, excluding the home and business
- Regulated by: U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration
  - Contact: Phone: (502) 564-3601

How Does This Certification Help My Business?
- Many government agencies receiving federal dollars, major corporations, universities, and school systems have implemented Supplier Diversity Programs. These programs establish goals for the company or organization to award a percentage of their business to minority and women-owned businesses. Certification ensures the business is minority or woman-owned and not a misrepresentation designed to take advantage of the established procurement goals set by the organization (taken directly from https://kentuckysbdc.com/minority-and-woman-owned-businesses/)
The Differences in Certifications
- All three of these certifications prove your business is what you say it is. However, while some organizations will recognize any of these certifications, others may require a specific one before doing business. When working with other businesses, be sure to inquire about what type of certification they deem legitimate.
Why Isn’t My Business Listed?
- The Kentucky Minority-Owned Business Database only lists businesses certified through the Kentucky Minority & Women Business Enterprise Certification Program, the Office for Civil Rights and Small Business Development, and Louisville’s Human Relations Commission. If you are a minority business owner and received a certification verifying this through a different institution other than the ones indicated, that institution has not partnered with us on this initiative.
- If you have been certified through one of the three certifiers listed and your business still isn’t displayed, check to make sure your certification hasn’t expired, then contact the appropriate certifier to inquire. If you recently acquired your certification, the Kentucky Minority-Owned Business Database is updated on a monthly basis, and your organization should be listed in the next update.
- If you received certification through NMSDC or WBENC, we are currently not partnered with these institutions. In order to be listed in this database, you will need to be partnered with one of the entities listed above.

The Kentucky Minority-Owned Business Database is for informational purposes only. The Chamber and the Kentucky Minority-Owned Business Database make no representations or warranties with respect to, or otherwise participate in, any minority business certification programs or supplier diversity programs that may use this database.