Disability-owned business enterprises (DOBEs) represent one of the fastest-growing segments in corporate supplier diversity. According to Disability:IN's 2024 report, the percentage of companies with expenditures with certified DOBEs has more than doubled—from 27% in 2015 to 56% in 2024.
With approximately 1,500 certified DOBEs nationwide, these businesses are increasingly winning contracts with Fortune 500 companies across industries from technology to healthcare.
A disability-owned business enterprise (DOBE) is a for-profit business that is at least 51% owned by an individual with a disability. The DOBE certification process is administered across the United States by Disability:IN, a global leader in business disability inclusion with a network of over 500 major corporations.
Disability:IN also certifies V-DOBEs (Veteran Disability-Owned Business Enterprises) and SDV-DOBEs (Service-Disabled Veteran Disability-Owned Business Enterprises).
Corporate Leaders in DOBE SpendingFortune 500 corporations actively working with DOBEs include:
- Microsoft, Wells Fargo, IBM, Walmart: Have supplier diversity programs that include disability-owned businesses
- Amazon, Google, Microsoft: Have contracted with Sunrise Packaging, a Native American and disability-owned company
- Highmark, PNC Bank, Bayer: Have awarded contracts to Bender Consulting Services, which has grown to $14 million in annual revenue since becoming DOBE certified
In a significant development, the Billion Dollar Roundtable (BDR) has expanded its criteria to include certified DOBEs, V-DOBEs, and SDV-DOBEs in corporate supply chain spend calculations. This means the 43 BDR member companies now count disability-owned supplier spending toward their $1 billion diversity thresholds.
The Untapped OpportunityDespite growth, significant opportunity remains. According to Disability:IN's 2024 report, only 21% of U.S. companies require their prime suppliers to have Tier 2 expenditures with DOBEs. This means supplier diversity holds "perhaps the greatest potential for sizable gains in economic outcomes for people with disabilities."
For disability-owned businesses seeking corporate contracts, DOBE certification through Disability:IN is the key credential. The organization connects certified businesses with Fortune 500 corporations through matchmaking events, supplier showcases, and their online directory.
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