• Through the Black Renaissance program, I was able to establish my mobile notary business in 2022. With the assistance of the Business Certification program, I received certification as both an MBE and a WBE.

    René Bass, Mobile Notary Business

  • At Renaissance, I took classes and worked with a consultant to launch Taro Design Studio, a newly certified WBE (Women-Owned Business Enterprise) start my own firm that focuses on projects that support local businesses and have a positive impact on the community.

    Tamara Roth, Interior Architecture Firm

Business Certification Progam

Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center’s new Business Certification program is designed to help businesses access new contracting opportunities for their business. With a special certification and the knowledge and skills from our capacity building program, the doors will open to a broader range and more stable set of contracts to help your business revenues grow. This program is for San Mateo County businesses, or those owned by San Mateo County residents, only.

Why Do It?

Governments are making big investments in infrastructure - housing projects, hospitals, school building renovations, new roads, and more. They need help with delivering services to their residents or clients - providing elderly home care, translation services, landscaping, grant writing, and more. They are looking for small businesses owned by local residents to work with.

How can government contracting help your business grow?

  • Government contracts are stable and long-term

  • Governments buy a lot of different products and services

  • There are a lot of government entities to sell to!

Contracts are not available only for big, national companies, they are for San Mateo County small businesses who want to work with federal, state and local agencies.

You should consider government contracts as a way to grow your business IF…

Your business is busy now but you’re not sure where your next contract is coming from

OR

You are looking to expand your customer base and employ more talented workers

OR

You are a residential contractor who is tired of working with homeowners

How can you set yourself apart from other businesses?

By getting your certification as:

  • A women-owned business enterprise (WBE)

  • A minority-owned business enterprise (MBE)

  • A disadvantaged business owner (DBE)

  • A local business (LBE)

  • A small business (SBE)

Best For

Businesses who have been in business for 2+ years

Businesses who have good client references and relationships

Businesses who have the staff or the desire to grow

How do I get there?

Doing this alone is hard work. With the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center (RenCenter), you will have a partner in your business and this process. We know how it works and we have worked with dozens of small businesses across the Bay to get certified and access contracts. 

We want to see you succeed, and we have the resources to help you grow. The RenCenter Business Certification program is sponsored by the County of San Mateo and provides an innovative program to help businesses

  1. Build Your Company Capacity

  2. Get Certified

  3. Get Contracts

How would your business and your life change if you could regularly and realistically bid on $3M jobs or get $25,000 professional services contracts every month? 

Want to know more?