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WEConnect International

Women business owners can play a powerful role in driving innovation, increasing competitive advantage and accelerating business growth. Now is the time to capitalize on the contributions of more inclusive global value chains as a resource to move business and economies forward. - Elizabeth Vazquez, CEO, WEConnect International

About WEConnect International

WEConnect International is a corporate led non-profit that helps to empower women business owners to succeed in global markets.

When women start and grow businesses they create jobs, help the economy and improve communities. WEConnect provides the knowledge, networks, certification and platform women business owners need to reach new markets and prosper.

We partner with a range of supporting organizations to identify and certify businesses that are at least 51% owned, managed and controlled by one or more women. WEConnect upholds the universal certification standard developed in collaboration with the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) in the United States.

History of WEConnect International

  • Incubated in 2009 by Quantum Leaps, Inc., in partnership with the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).
  • Incorporated in November of 2009
  • Founding corporate members are: Accenture, Alcatel-Lucent, AT&T, Boeing, Cisco Systems, Ernst & Young, HP, IBM, Intel, Manpower, Motorola, Pfizer, PG&E, Verizon and Walmart.
  • ISO 9001:2008 quality management system certification in 2010 and 2011
  • WBENC and WEConnect International entered into a memorandum of understanding on February 4, 2011 to recognize the ties between them based on history, common membership, and the fundamental common interests of both organizations to build economic parity and enhance business opportunities for women's business enterprises (WBEs) globally.

Operating as a 501(c)(3)Non-profit

WEConnect International is a 501(c)(3) non-profit led by a corporate Board of Directors committed to global supplier diversity and inclusion. WEConnect seeks and accepts donations from corporations, foundations and individuals to support its mission and programs. WEConnect's primary operating funds are obtained from corporate membership fees and revenue from programs and services.

Serving Corporate Members, Certified WBEs and Self Registered WBOs

1. Multinational Corporate Members Major corporations that pay membership fees and have an active Supplier Diversity program or will have one soon are classified as Corporate Members.

Multinational corporations join WEConnect International to identify women owned businesses to satisfy their local content and global contract demands. WEConnect upholds universal standards for certification developed in collaboration with the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) in the United States.

Corporate Members have access to the following resources:

  • Our secure global database of Members and women owned businesses.
  • World class supplier diversity and inclusion program guidance from WEConnect and member corporations, along with guidance on relevant metrics for tracking diverse spend globally.
  • Education and networking events organized by WEConnect to showcase member supplier diversity commitment.

2. Certified Women's Business Enterprises Women owned businesses that apply and complete the certification process are granted WEConnect International certification and are classified as WEConnect International Certified Women's Business Enterprises (WBEs). Certified WBEs are not classified as members of WEConnect International, but are classified as Beneficiaries. The Ambassadors Advisory Council represents the collective interests of WEConnect International's Certified WBEs. The WEConnect Network gives certified women owned businesses the ability to compete for business opportunities provided by WEConnect International Corporate Members.

Certification gives women owned businesses access to the following resources:

  • Our secure global online community of Members and women owned businesses.
  • A business readiness assessment to identify areas where the WEConnect network can provide capacity building support.
  • Invitation to online forums presented by Corporate Members, with overviews of their procurement process and practical tips on responding to Requests for Proposals (RFPs).
  • Networking opportunities with procurement officers from Member Corporations.
  • Training workshops on how to leverage your certification.
  • Coaching and mentoring from other certified companies on key success factors and strategies.
  • Opportunity to attend global and local events, as well as register for the dynamic annual conference of WBENC, our United States certification partner.

3. Self-Registered Women Owned Businesses Women owned business that apply and complete the self-registration application are classified as WEConnect International Self-Registered Women Owned Businesses. There are millions of women owned businesses globally that meet our certification criteria, yet due to geographic constraints certification is not yet available. Self-registration gives women owned businesses access to business knowledge and the ability to network and partner with other women owned businesses globally.

Self-registration gives women owned businesses access to the following resources:

  • Our secure online community of women owned businesses regionally.
  • Networking opportunities with Certified WBEs that are suppliers to major corporations.
  • Invitations to select events and trainings around preparing your business for certification, responding to commercial opportunities, and marketing your business to large procurement organizations.