Ownership and Control

• Woman Ownership: The business must be at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more women who are U.S. citizens.
• Active Management: The women owners must manage the day-to-day operations and make long-term decisions for the business. They should also hold the highest officer positions in the company.

Small Business Qualification

• SBA Size Standards: The business must meet the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) size standards for its specific industry. These standards are based on either the number of employees or the average annual receipts of the business.

Economic Disadvantage Criteria

• Personal Net Worth: The woman owner(s) must have a personal net worth of less than $750,000, excluding:
• Equity in the primary residence
• Funds invested in an official retirement account
• Adjusted Gross Income: The average adjusted gross income over the past three years must be $350,000 or less.
• Fair Market Value of Assets: The fair market value of all assets (including business assets, personal property, etc.) must not exceed $6 million.

Legal Structure

• For-Profit Business: The business must be a for-profit entity and legally registered in the U.S. Non-profit organizations are not eligible.
• Independent Operation: The business must operate independently and not be affiliated with another company that could potentially control it.