The Definitive Guide For Disability-Owned Business Enterprises

A disability-owned business enterprise (DOBE) is a for-profit business that is at least 51% owned, operated, managed, and controlled by one or more people with disabilities. DOBE also refers to the certification, most often awarded by Disability:IN, that corporate supplier diversity programs use to verify a supplier’s status. Related categories cover disabled veterans (V-DOBE and SDV-DOBE).

We know that small businesses are a vital component of our economy. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, there are more than 36 million small businesses in the United States, accounting for 99.9 percent of all U.S. businesses. They make a significant impact on our economy through job creation, innovation, and economic impact.

Disability-owned businesses are a growing segment of small businesses. About 1 in 4 U.S. adults has a disability, according to the CDC, and people with disabilities are more likely to be self-employed than people without disabilities (9.1% versus 5.9% in 2025).

What Is a Disability-Owned Business?

There are three types of DOBEs: disability-owned (DOBE), veteran disability-owned (V-DOBE), and service-disabled veteran-owned (SDV-DOBE) business enterprises. A possible secondary certification as an 8(a) business may also apply. Check the requirements below to see which categories fit your business.

Disability-Owned Business Enterprise (DOBE) Requirements

A Disability-Owned Business is defined as:

• A for-profit business that is at least 51 percent owned, operated, managed, and controlled by one or more people with disabilities. In the case of a publicly owned business, at least 51 percent of the stock must be owned by one or more such individuals.
• Disability is defined as a physical and/or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.

Veteran-Disability Owned Business Enterprise (V-DOBE) Requirements

All DOBE requirements plus:

• The business is 51 percent owned, controlled, operated, and managed by a veteran, but the disability was not incurred during their time of service.

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDV-DOBE) Requirements

The government limits competition for certain contracts to businesses that participate in the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) program. Since January 1, 2023, SBA’s VetCert program has certified businesses for this program.

Joining the program makes your business eligible to compete for set-aside contracts. You can still compete for contract awards under other socioeconomic programs you qualify for.

To qualify, your business must:

• Be a small business.
• Be at least 51 percent owned and controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans.
• Have one or more service-disabled veterans manage day-to-day operations and also make long-term decisions.
• Eligible veterans must have sustained their disability during their time of service.

NOTE: The SBA does not have a separate DOBE designation. Its program for service-disabled veterans is the SDVOSB program, which corresponds to the SDV-DOBE category.

8(a) Economically Disadvantaged Small Business Requirements

Federal agencies set annual contracting goals for small disadvantaged businesses, including firms in the 8(a) program.

The 8(a) program changed significantly in 2026, including new rules for how social disadvantage is established. Check SBA’s current requirements before you apply. In general, an eligible business must:

• Be a small business.
• Not have previously participated in the 8(a) program.
• Generally have operated and received contracts for at least two full years (SBA may waive this).
• Be at least 51 percent owned and controlled by U.S. citizens who are socially and economically disadvantaged, as SBA defines those terms.
• Be owned by someone who is economically disadvantaged. Generally, that means a net worth under $850,000, average adjusted gross income of $400,000 or less over three years, and total assets of $6.5 million or less.
• Have the owner manage day-to-day operations and also make long-term decisions.
• Have all its principals demonstrate good character.
• Show potential for success and be able to perform successfully on contracts.

More information about small business categories can be found on the Small Business Administration’s website.

Becoming Certified as a Disability-Owned Business

If you meet the requirements to be a DOBE, V-DOBE, or SDV-DOBE, your next step is to become certified. There are two types of certification, although they are not equal: self-certification and third-party certification.

While self-certification is simpler than going through a third party, many of today’s corporations prefer the latter. Third-party certification gives corporate supplier diversity programs the assurance that an independent, nationally recognized agency vetted your company and verified your disability-owned status.

Self-Certification

Small business status is typically self-represented in your SAM.gov profile. Service-disabled veteran-owned status for federal contracting, however, is certified through SBA’s VetCert program rather than self-represented.

Third-Party Certification

Disability:IN’s Supplier Diversity Program is the leading third-party certifier of disability-owned business enterprises (DOBEs), including Veteran Disability-Owned Business Enterprises (V-DOBEs) and Service-Disabled Veteran Disability-Owned Business Enterprises (SDV-DOBEs). The program is administered by Disability:IN, an organization that unites business around disability inclusion in the workplace, supply chain, and marketplace.

DOBE certification has a $300 application fee and is valid for three years. Many states and cities also have their own disability-owned certifications, so check your local requirements as well.

How to get DOBE certified

1. Complete Disability:IN’s online certification form with your company details, a product or service description, and the category you’re applying for (DOBE, V-DOBE, or SDV-DOBE).
2. Indicate whether you’re verified through SBA VetCert.
3. Disability:IN reviews your information and recommends the next step.
4. If you hold a NaVOBA, NGLCC, WBENC, or SBA VetCert certification, you may qualify for a streamlined process. Veterans using the SBA VetCert route should have their DD214, Disability Ratings Letter, and SBA VET Certified Letter ready.

Benefits of DOBE certification

Certification lets corporate supplier diversity programs count your business toward their diverse spend, gives you access to buyer networks and supplier registration platforms, and signals independent verification of your status.

Education, Funding, and Contracting Resources

Education and Training

Fortunately, both government and private institutions realize the value of supplier diversity and are investing in supplier development. Whether you’re just beginning your business or you’ve been around a while, these educational resources are sure to help.

Disabled Businesspersons Association (DBA)

The DBA works to advance vocational rehabilitation and increase the competitive performance of people with disabilities in the workplace. The organization offers education, mentorship for both veterans and civilians, and a special youth-focused program to identify the next generation of leaders with disabilities. Learn more about the DBA.

Disability:IN

Disability:IN offers several opportunities for professional growth and networking. The annual conference brings together business owners, entrepreneurs, corporations, thought leaders, and high-profile speakers to learn more about succeeding as a disability-owned business.

The Rising Leaders Mentoring Program brings together employers and college students and recent graduates with disabilities, including veterans, in a six-month career mentoring opportunity.

Disability:IN also has a network of local Business Leadership Affiliates. These affiliates engage businesses of all sizes in networking discussions to increase their knowledge of community outreach, recruiting and interviewing, the accommodation process, and barriers to employment.

SCORE

For over 50 years, the nonprofit SCORE has been helping small businesses, including disability-owned businesses, get off the ground through education and mentorship.

Because disability-owned businesses are supported by the SBA, they can take advantage of its services at no charge or at very low cost. Visit SCORE’s website to find more information on mentors, workshops, and other available resources.

8(a) Business Development Program

The 8(a) Program is a business assistance program designed specifically for small disadvantaged businesses. The program is government sponsored, highly involved, and has some inspiring success stories. Participants go through a four-year developmental stage followed by a five-year transition stage. In addition to the nine-year program, participants have access to specialized business training, marketing assistance, and mentorship programs, to name a few.

Find out how your 8(a) business can participate.

Funding

Access to capital is one of the main obstacles to business equality. The federal government offers several forms of assistance for DOBEs to secure funding through loans and grants, and thanks to the reach of the internet, crowdfunding has made it easier to reach millions of small investors.

Small Business Administration (SBA) Guaranteed Loans

One of the many resources the Small Business Administration provides is access to loans. However, the SBA does not loan money directly to small businesses. Instead, the Administration establishes loan guidelines with partnering lenders around the country. The SBA guarantees these loans will be paid, which means small businesses generally receive lower, more competitive rates and fees compared to non-guaranteed loans.

Find more information about SBA-guaranteed loans.

USA.gov

Aside from the SBA, the United States offers other government-backed loans and funding resources. You can find more detail on how to get funding or grants for an 8(a) categorized business.

Crowdfunding

As the name suggests, crowdfunding is used by businesses to pull small investments from a large number of investors, unlike traditional investments made by a handful of people. Many small businesses have found success with this type of investment strategy.

Crowdfunding sites have become an increasingly popular way to raise money for business ideas ranging from video games to backpacks to feature films to beehives. The SBA provides more detail on how to successfully crowdfund for your business.

Contracting Opportunities

Both the federal government and many of America’s top corporations require their procurement departments to spend a certain percentage on diverse suppliers every year. Once you’re certified as a DOBE, it’s time to leverage that certification to gain access to contracting opportunities.

Supplier Registration Platforms

To streamline supplier diversity, large companies invest in third-party supplier registration portals to streamline the buyer-supplier contracting process.

Free registration, seamless communication with potential buyers, and robust opportunity filtering are just a few features that a quality platform should provide to suppliers. Register your company today to start on the path toward working with Fortune 1000 companies.

Veterans First Contracting Program

The Department of Veterans Affairs, which awards a large amount of contracts to veterans, sets aside contracts for veterans through its Veterans First Contracting Program. Note that this program is not the same as the SBA’s program for SDV-DOBEs. Since January 1, 2023, businesses seeking these set-asides are certified through SBA’s VetCert program instead of the VA’s former Vets First Verification Program.

8(a) Business Development Program

Small disadvantaged business participants may be eligible for sole-source contracts below set dollar thresholds that SBA adjusts periodically.

What may be an even greater aspect of the 8(a) Program is a participant’s ability to form a joint venture or team to bid on contracts. This gives 8(a) firms the ability to fulfill larger contracts that they may not be able to handle alone, while also developing industry relationships. Interested in learning more about the 8(a) Program and its requirements? Find that information here.

Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Program

The Small Business Administration created this program to assist businesses in economically depressed areas who often face greater business disadvantages.

While not restricted to disability-owned businesses, the HUBZone program can be a boon to your organization if you qualify. This two-minute video gives a quick overview, as well as details on how to participate in the program.

Frequently asked questions

What does DOBE stand for?
DOBE stands for disability-owned business enterprise.

What’s the difference between DOBE, V-DOBE, and SDV-DOBE?
A DOBE is a business at least 51% owned, operated, managed, and controlled by people with disabilities. A V-DOBE has a veteran owner whose disability was not incurred during their time of service. An SDV-DOBE has a service-disabled veteran owner whose disability was sustained during service.

How much does DOBE certification cost?
Disability:IN charges a $300 application fee.

How long is DOBE certification valid?
Three years.

Is self-certification enough?
It’s simpler, but many corporate buyers prefer third-party certification because an independent agency verifies your status.