Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity

Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity Empowering small, women, and minority-owned businesses.

The mission of the Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (SBSD) is to provide education and assistance; economic opportunity; and access to capital to generate employment and economic growth for small businesses. The Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity's aim is to be essential to Virginia's small business community by providing services that will help them achieve their aspirations.

Did you know to be classified as a minority-owned business, a company must be at least 51% owned and controlled by minor...
06/17/2026

Did you know to be classified as a minority-owned business, a company must be at least 51% owned and controlled by minority individuals?

This includes African American, Asian American, Hispanic American, and Native American individuals, as defined by Virginia law.

Certification can help expand your access to government contracting opportunities across the Commonwealth.

Learn more about SWaM certification at https://sbsd.virginia.gov/certification-division/swam/

Did you know that to be classified as a woman-owned business, a company must be at least 51% owned and controlled by one...
06/10/2026

Did you know that to be classified as a woman-owned business, a company must be at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more women?

That includes both ownership and day-to-day management.

If you meet these criteria, you may qualify for SWaM certification that can help in opening the door to new contracting and growth opportunities.

Learn more about SWaM certification at https://sbsd.virginia.gov/certification-division/swam/

What does it take to succeed in government contracting? For the entrepreneurs and small business owners who joined us at...
06/09/2026

What does it take to succeed in government contracting? For the entrepreneurs and small business owners who joined us at the 2026 Hampton Roads Small Business Symposium: Contracting for Success, the answer started with knowledge, connections, and a roadmap for navigating the procurement process.

Throughout the day, attendees gained valuable insights into business development strategies, procurement codes, solicitation types, bidding best practices, and the tools and technology used to identify contract opportunities at the local, state, and federal levels. From networking with resource partners to learning directly from procurement professionals, participants left better equipped to pursue new opportunities and grow their businesses.

A special thank you to Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer for sharing his remarks and support for the small business community, as well as to our outstanding presenters, partners, and event organizers whose expertise helped make the symposium a success.

Most importantly, thank you to every entrepreneur, business owner, and attendee who invested their time in building their future. We are honored to support your journey and look forward to seeing the opportunities that come next.

Did you know a small business in Virginia is defined as one that:✔ Has 250 or fewer employees OR✔ Averages $10 million o...
06/03/2026

Did you know a small business in Virginia is defined as one that:

✔ Has 250 or fewer employees OR
✔ Averages $10 million or less in average annual revenue over the previous three years

Plus, it must be independently owned and operated.

Understanding your eligibility is the first step toward accessing small business resources, certification, and growth opportunities.

Learn more about SWaM certification at https://sbsd.virginia.gov/certification-division/swam/

Transform your business with no-cost AI training and tools from Google!Through the Google AI Professional Certificate, y...
05/29/2026

Transform your business with no-cost AI training and tools from Google!

Through the Google AI Professional Certificate, you can equip your entire team with practical AI skills to help you build an AI-fluent team, get more done faster, and unlock new opportunities for your business.

In partnership with Virginia Works, Google is offering small businesses three months of no-cost access to Google Workspace with Gemini, which includes custom business email, 2 TB of storage, appointment booking, and premium Workspace apps like Gmail, Docs, and Meet with enterprise-grade security (terms apply) with your enrollment.

This offer is limited, so don't hesitate! Enroll today at goo.gle/smb-virginiaworks

From Main Street shops to growing startups, Virginia’s small businesses are creating jobs, strengthening communities, dr...
05/28/2026

From Main Street shops to growing startups, Virginia’s small businesses are creating jobs, strengthening communities, driving innovation, and making a lasting impact across the state.

This Small Business Month, we thank the business owners, employees, and supporters who help keep Virginia growing strong!

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600 E. Broad Street, Suite 300
Richmond, VA
23219

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Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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