What is the difference between WOSB and WBE?

WOSB (Women-Owned Small Business) is a federal program governed by SBA rules, focused on small, women-owned firms competing for federal contracts, particularly in designated industries where agencies have WOSB goals. WBE (Women Business Enterprise) is a more general or often state, local, or private-sector recognition that a business is women-owned, typically granted by non-federal certifying bodies or regional councils. WBE certification may open doors with corporations and local governments, while WOSB directly supports federal set-aside eligibility.

Many firms pursue both, but the strategies and buyers differ. GovCon in a Box centers on the federal side—helping WOSB and EDWOSB firms build visibility in SAM, identify WOSB-focused opportunities, and orchestrate capture so federal agencies can easily find and trust them as capable partners.