Get Business:
Your certification opens doors to corporate and institutional buyers that require certified minority business enterprises.
Relationship Building:
Exclusive networking, matchmaking, and introductions to decision-makers around Chicagoland.
Opportunities to Learn:
Training, workshops, and educational programs designed to help your business scale and compete.
Wider Visibility:
Inclusion in the ChicagoMSDC database used by hundreds of corporations looking for suppliers.
What Is MBE Certification?
ChicagoMSDC connects certified minority businesses and corporations—creating growth for MBEs and results for companies. With an MBE Certification, you can certify your organization’s authenticity of ownership and integrity of operations.
MBE Certification through ChicagoMSDC is the nationally recognized gold standard confirming your business is minority owned and operated. It’s trusted by major corporations, government agencies, and institutions across the country.
Are You Ready to apply for your MBE Certification?
If you’re eager to take the next step toward getting certified, join us for a Pre-Certification Workshop. Our Certification Team hosts a virtual workshop on the fourth Wednesday of every month to cover
- Application questions
- Document overview
- Qualification criteria
- Understanding the process
Why certify your business?
- Unlock New Business Opportunities
Certification opens the door to procurement pipelines you can’t access otherwise. Large corporations, universities, hospitals, and public agencies are actively seeking qualified minority-owned suppliers—but many will only engage with certified MBEs. - Expand Your Network
People do business with people they know.
Certification instantly plugs you into a powerful ecosystem of minority businesses, corporate buyers, and industry leaders—along with exclusive invitations to Chicago-area networking events, matchmaking sessions, and corporate roundtables. - Build New Skills to Grow Your Company
Whether you’re scaling operations, strengthening your marketing, or preparing for a major contract, you need the right tools.
Certified MBEs get access to ChicagoMSDC’s in-person and online training, business academies, workshops, and education tailored to high-growth companies. - Increase Your Visibility With Buyers
ChicagoMSDC promotes certified MBEs across our network of corporations and institutions.
Buyers that are searching for vendors use our database every day. When they have an opportunity, they can find and contact you directly. - Join a Network of Nearly 1,000 Certified Minority Businesses Join a Network of Nearly 1,000 Certified Minority Businesses
Across Chicagoland, almost 1,000 MBEs have already leveraged certification to compete, grow, and win.
| Chicago Certification Fees | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certification | Recertification | Late Fee | Sales | |
| Class 1 – $550 | $330 | $125 | Gross annual sales under 1 million | |
| Class 2 – $825 | $745 | $175 | Gross annual sales between 1 & 10 million | |
| Class 3 – $1,050 | $825 | $200 | Gross annual sales between 10 & 50 million | |
| Class 4 – $1,275 | $1,050 | $225 | Gross annual sales over 50 million | |
If you want access to regional affiliate events and opportunities in areas outside your home region, you can subscribe to services from multiple regions. Regional corporations, local governments, and quasi-government agencies sometimes choose to become local corporate members, interacting only with locally certified MBEs. All MBEs are automatically included in their home region, but you can include yourself in more conversations and opportunities by subscribing to additional regions.
| Chicago Subscription Fees | ||
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | $300 | Gross annual sales under 1 million |
| Class 2 | $550 | Gross annual sales between 1 & 10 million |
| Class 3 | $675 | Gross annual sales between 10 & 50 million |
| Class 4 | $875 | Gross annual sales over 50 million |