Become a certified women-owned small business and gain access to federal and state funding to help you grow.
We guarantee to get your business certified as a WOSB with the federal government or your money back.
The federal government awarded $62.3 billion in set-aside contracts last year to women-owned small businesses, so being recognized and certified is paramount.
Starting a business can be daunting and while there are a number of revenue channels and support resources available to women-owned businesses it can be a challenge to identify exactly which opportunities are out there. Without the applicable certifications, a business will limit its ability to win certain bids and reduce its visibility in acquiring funds set aside specifically for women-owned businesses.
Become a certified women-owned small business with Squared Compass as your trusted advisor and make the most of the funding and support available to you now.
The path to becoming certified is easy with Squared Compass
Squared Compass is veteran founded and has assisted Women Owned Businesses in obtaining the applicable certifications since 2021. Our mission is to expand this offering to other small women’s owned businesses and help you navigate the available channels and be your trusted advisors on the journey to becoming a successful business owner.
These certifications will grant businesses access to millions of dollars of federal spending set aside exclusively for Women certified entities
5% of exclusive access to annual federal contracts
Additional contracts and financing reserved in the private sector
Bidding preferences for open-bid contracts
Increased visibility and marketability
Decreased competitive landscape
Increased revenue and growth potential
Squared Compass helps identify which certifications your business qualifies, informs you of other available opportunities, guides you through the process, and sets you up for growth.
Benefits
Squared Compass WOSB certification service helps women owned-companies gain access to the $62.3 billion worth of annual federal and state contracts, position themselves to win open bid contracts, increase revenue, growth and marketability all through a simple and hands off approach.
Free consultation and business assessment.
Bespoke certification plan developed to give the business owner the best opportunity for growth.
A hands-off approach for the business owner. We handle the typically lengthy and cumbersome application process.
Direct access to a trusted advisor both during the application process and in future business development and guidance.
To work with Squared Compass, companies must meet the following qualifications:
Be at least 51% owned and controlled by women who are U.S. citizens
With less than $6.5MIL in personal assets
Meet all the requirements of the WOSB Federal Contract Program
Women manage day-to-day operations that also make long term decisions
Each with $450K or less adjusted gross income average over the past three years
Squared Compass is on a mission to help the women-owned business community realize their potential and position themselves for growth and success.
At Squared Compass we believe that the women-owned business community is one of the best and underutilized communities in the nation. With a team of practitioners in the start-up, business development, and federal and state contracting arenas Squared Compass has the tools and expertise to help women-owned small businesses achieve their goals.
Squared Compass’ team members have helped businesses win millions of dollars on federal and state contracts and grants. Get in touch with our team today to start your journey to success.
Frequently Asked Questions
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SBA women-owned business certification verifies that a small business is at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more women who are U.S. citizens. Certified firms can compete for federal contracts set aside specifically for Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSBs) and, if they meet additional criteria, for Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Businesses (EDWOSBs). Certification helps level the playing field in industries where women are historically underrepresented.
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SBA generally processes complete applications within 90 days. Delays often occur when required documents are missing or ownership/control structures are unclear. Preparing all necessary paperwork in advance—including operating agreements, resumes of women owners, and corporate records—helps speed up review.
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Certification lasts for three years, provided the business continues to meet the eligibility criteria. SBA requires firms to recertify before expiration and to notify SBA of any material changes in ownership or control during the certification period.
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Typical documents include:
Proof of U.S. citizenship for women owners.
Corporate or partnership agreements.
Stock certificates and ledgers (if applicable).
Business and personal tax returns.
Resumes of women owners demonstrating control of day-to-day operations.
Financial documents for EDWOSB certification (personal net worth, AGI, and asset records).
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Certified WOSBs gain access to federal set-aside contracts, including sole-source opportunities in industries where women-owned firms are underrepresented. The certification also enhances credibility with government buyers and prime contractors, increases visibility in SBA’s searchable database, and strengthens a firm’s competitive positioning in both federal and commercial markets.
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This often refers to grants administered under SBA’s InnovateHER Challenge or SBIR/STTR programs, which have historically provided funding opportunities to women-owned firms developing innovative products and services. However, SBA does not directly award grants for general business operations. Most funding comes through loans or competitive federal R&D programs.
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Both require women to own and control at least 51% of the business. However, EDWOSB certification is a subcategory for firms where the woman owner(s) also meet economic disadvantage thresholds (net worth ≤ $850,000, AGI ≤ $400,000, and total assets ≤ $6.5 million, with some exclusions). Federal agencies can specifically reserve contracts for EDWOSBs in industries where women-owned businesses are significantly underrepresented.
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WOSB certification is administered by the SBA and specifically targets federal contracting opportunities.
WBE (Women’s Business Enterprise) certification is issued by organizations such as WBENC or state agencies and is typically used for private sector or corporate supplier diversity programs. Many firms pursue both to maximize contracting opportunities across public and private sectors.
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There is no fee to apply directly through SBA’s certify.sba.gov portal. However, if you choose to go through a recognized third-party certifier (such as WBENC or NWBOC), there may be costs involved. These third-party certifications are optional for federal contracting but can be valuable for corporate supplier diversity opportunities.
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You must apply through the SBA’s certify.sba.gov portal. The process requires creating an account, linking your SAM.gov registration, and uploading documents such as business licenses, operating agreements, tax returns, and proof of citizenship for owners. Some third-party certifiers are also recognized by SBA, but businesses seeking federal set-asides must still upload proof into SBA’s system.
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There is no special SBA loan program exclusively for women, but certified WOSBs may find it easier to access SBA-backed loans through programs like 7(a) or 504 loans. SBA does offer resources such as the Office of Women’s Business Ownership (OWBO) and Women’s Business Centers nationwide, which help women entrepreneurs prepare loan applications and connect with lenders.
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No. To qualify, women must own at least 51% of the company and must control daily operations and long-term decisions. Men can be minority owners, employees, or managers within a WOSB-certified business, but they cannot exercise control over the company if it is to remain compliant with SBA’s requirements.