What Is MWBE Certification and Why Does It Matter

Designed To Conquer is a NYS MBE Certified Creative Tech Studio. Here is what that means and why it matters.

6/20/20262 min read

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What Is MWBE Certification?

MWBE stands for Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise. In New York State, MWBE certification is issued by Empire State Development (ESD) after a formal application and verification process. To qualify, a business must be at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by a minority person, a woman, or both.

The certification is not honorary. It requires documentation of ownership, business operations, and financial control. It is renewed regularly and verified by the state.

What Are the Benefits of Working With an MWBE-Certified Business?

For Government and Corporate Clients

Many government agencies, corporations, and large nonprofits have MWBE spending goals — meaning they are required or incentivized to allocate a percentage of their contracts to certified minority and women-owned businesses. If you are in this category, working with an MWBE vendor like Designed To Conquer can help you meet those goals.

For Small Business Owners

Hiring an MWBE-certified studio means supporting a business that has been verified as minority-owned and locally rooted. For many of our clients — particularly those who are themselves MWBE certified or pursuing certification — there is alignment in working with a studio that shares that designation.

What Other Credentials Does DTC Hold?

MWBE certification is one of several credentials Designed To Conquer holds. The full list:

NYS MBE Certified (Empire State Development)
Wix Official Partner
Squarespace Circle Member
Adobe Certified
Google SEO Specialization
HoneyBook Breakthrough Grant Winner
ForbesBLK Member
NYS Senate Proclamation Award Recipient

These credentials are not just logos on a page. They represent verifiable expertise, platform partnerships, and recognition from institutions that evaluated DTC's work and impact.

Why Credentials Matter in Web Design

The web design industry has no licensing requirement. Anyone can call themselves a web designer. Credentials are how you distinguish studios with verified expertise from those without it. When you hire Designed To Conquer, you are hiring a studio that has been evaluated and recognized by the platforms it builds on, the industry institutions it participates in, and the state it operates in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can MWBE certification help my own business?

Yes. If you are eligible — meaning your business is at least 51% minority or women-owned — MWBE certification can open access to government contracts, set-aside grants, and corporate procurement programs. Designed To Conquer can point you toward the certification resources available through Empire State Development and NYC Small Business Services.

Does DTC only work with MWBE clients?

No. We work with all small business owners and entrepreneurs regardless of certification status. MWBE certification is a reflection of our own ownership and values — not a filter for who we serve.