Washington State Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprises

Join Washington APEX Accelerator for Prime Connect! When: August 13 | 8AM - 9AM Where: Online Register: https://lnkd.in/gDNm_Rba Prime Connect is a structured matchmaking event for Primes and Subcontractors to connect on future projects. You will hear from 2-3 prime contractors who will give a 5 minute presentation of the work they have coming in the near future, they will also list the NAICS codes for the contracts that they need filled. In addition, subcontractors will be provided with the announcements for the work primes are seeking and will have the opportunity to enter a breakout session with each prime for follow up questions.

Central Regional Contracting Forum/Feria regional de contratacion en el valle central When: September/septiembre 26, 2025 | 8:30AM - 3PM Where: Yakima Convention Center 10 N 8th St., Yakima, WA Register/Registro: https://lnkd.in/gA5Qn_Qi Join us on the first ever Central Regional Contracting Forum. This event is an opportunity for small businesses, minority, women, disadvantaged and veteran-owned businesses to meet purchasers at all levels of state and local government, including school districts, transportation agencies, tribal governments and other organizations. Reserva la fecha para el primer foro regional de contrataciones en el valle central. Este evento es una gran oportunidad para pequenas empresas, negocios de mujeres, minorias, veteranos y empresas en desventaja. Se podran conectar con compradores de agencias del gobierno estatal y local , como distritos escolares, agencias de transporte, gobiernos tribales y otras organizaciones.

Join City of Tacoma for a Small Business Technical Assistance Workshop. This is your chance to break down those barriers. Get connected, ask questions, and walk away with real tools to help your business grow. When: July 31 | 8AM - 9:30AM Where: Tacoma Public Utilities Auditorium, 3628 S 35th St, Tacoma WA 98409 Learn More and Register: https://lnkd.in/gJybxqgN

Are you looking for a chance to do business with the State of Washington? 🌟Look no further than the 2025 Regional Contracting Forum on September 17!🌟 This annual FREE event is the place to connect with the region’s prime contractors, prime consultants, and the largest state agencies. Small, Minority, Women, and Veteran-Owned Businesses are encouraged to attend. Register today at https://lnkd.in/gn9VjDNi #RegionalContractingForum #RCF2025 #WaSmallBusiness #WaContractors #BusinessResources #BusinessConnections

King County celebrates Disability Pride Day! Join King County for brunch, proclamation reading, and a short speaking program do celebrate Disability Pride month and the 35th anniversary of the ADA! When: Saturday, July 26th | 10AM - 12PM Where: Seattle Machinists Hall, 9125 15th Pl S, Seattle, WA 98108 RSVP: https://lnkd.in/gF7Hti-e

Join OMWBE and Washington State Department of Commerce for a virtual workshop! This series is an on-going effort to address access to capital for small businesses. Explore the areas small business lenders evaluate to make loan decisions. In Session 2, we will cover how lending decisions are made. Why should you attend? ✅ Learn about the five Cs of financing. ✅ Learn where lenders typically can and cannot be flexible. ✅ Learn about the documents most lenders need to make loan decisions. ⏰ 10AM - 11:30AM | July 29 Register: https://lnkd.in/gGNRDE4F

Big News! Washington State has officially launched LGBTQ Business Enterprise Certification—a brand-new way to recognize and support 🏳️🌈  LGBTQ+ owned businesses. If your 💼 business is 51% owned and operated by LGBTQ+ individuals, you may now qualify for official certification through the Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE)—developed in partnership with the Washington State LGBTQ Commission. This is your opportunity to be seen, recognized, and connected—begin your certification today. https://lnkd.in/g8jJr3M9 #CertifiedWithPride  #LGBTQBusinessWA #WAStateCertification #SmallBusinessSupport #LGBTQBE #OMWBE

Join City of Tacoma for an informative and engaging workshop designed to connect small businesses with the technical assistance and financing resources they need to grow. This free event is perfect for entrepreneurs, startups, and small business owners who are looking to build capacity, access funding, or connect with local support services. Let us help your network tap into the tools, resources, and partnerships that can make a real difference. 📅 This session is open to all small business owners, entrepreneurs, and startups. Featured Presenters: 📌 City of Tacoma – Equity in Contracting Program: Overview of resources and pathways to do business with the City. 💰 City of Tacoma – Small Business Financing Opportunities: Learn about current loan programs and capital tools available. 🌱 City of Tacoma – Green Economy Strategy: Explore how small businesses can tap into Tacoma’s sustainability initiatives. 📈 Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC): Business advising, planning, and growth support services. 🤝 Business Impact NW: Technical assistance for launching, stabilizing, and scaling your business. 💡 Washington APEX Accelerator: Support for navigating government contracting and building your capacity to compete. Thank you for helping us share this opportunity with the small business community. Together, we can build a more connected and empowered entrepreneurial ecosystem! Register Here: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/g6y6wVYp

📣 The 2025 Regional Contracting Forum is right around the corner! 📣 Join us at the Muckleshoot Events Center in Auburn on Weds, September 17. This is your chance to introduce your business to the region’s prime contractors, prime consultants, and largest government agencies. Small, Minority, Women, and Veteran-Owned Businesses are encouraged to attend. Register for FREE today at https://lnkd.in/gn9VjDNi #RegionalContractingForum #RCF2025 #WaSmallBusiness #WaContractors #BusinessResources #BusinessConnections

Our hearts go out to the friends and loved ones of Vicky Schiantarelli, a fierce advocate and true friend of the small diverse business community. Vicky was a long-standing member of the OMWBE Advisory Committee, a certified business owner, community builder, and former employee of OMWBE. Throughout her life, Vicky was a resolute advocate for minority and women-owned businesses, and helped many advance on the path to success. Since 1979, Vicky dedicated herself to various nonprofit and government boards and commissions, serving her Latino community, Seattle’s Central Area neighborhood, and the W/M/D/VBE business community. She was an incorporator and founding board member of the Northwest Minority Builders Alliance and the Principal/Owner of Schiantarelli & Associates, a certified MWBE/DBE/SCS management consulting firm re-established in January 2019. With 42 years of experience in accessibility, equity, inclusion, and diversity, she leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire us all for many generations to come.