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Diverse business owners in a professional workshop setting
San Diego · 501(c)(3) Nonprofit

Built from the
inside of
corporate
procurement.

Business Equity Alliance equips small and diverse businesses with the insider knowledge, executive mentorship, and operational tools to compete for — and win — corporate and public sector contracts.

Apply to our programs How we work →
0
Years corporate experience
0
Peak diverse spend achieved
0
Cohort graduation rate
Flagship program
6 months
Corporate Readiness Accelerator
Cohort-based San Diego 15–20 businesses
6 workshops + 4 coaching sessions
2 corporate matchmaking events
Applications open now
Apply to this program →
Recognized by
MBE Certified · NMSDC LGBTBE Certified · NGLCC Top 50 LGBTQ+ Leader · SDBJ 2022 & 2024 M.S. Executive Leadership · USD CDP · National Diversity Council
Diverse business owners in a professional meeting
The challenge
Only 1.7%

of federal contracts go to businesses owned by people of color — not from lack of ability, but lack of access.

The gap we close

Talented businesses held back by lack of access — not lack of ability.

Most small and diverse businesses have the skills. What they're missing is the insider knowledge, the certifications, and the corporate relationships that open doors. BEA was founded by someone who spent 23 years on the other side of that door.

Certification roadmaps
We navigate MBE, WBE, DBE, DVBE, LGBTBE, and SBE certification — from eligibility through activation and leveraging.
Executive mentorship
Direct relationships with corporate procurement professionals — the people who actually sign supplier contracts.
Contract readiness
We build the operational systems, capabilities statements, and bid-response skills that win contracts and sustain them.
How BEA works

Three pillars. One mission.

Every BEA program is built on the same foundation — the insider knowledge Ed Simon developed over 23 years on the corporate side of the procurement table.

01
Technical assistance

Hands-on workshops covering the exact skills corporations require from diverse suppliers.

  • Certification pathways — MBE, WBE, DBE, DVBE, LGBTBE
  • Financial readiness and bonding
  • Proposal writing and RFP response
  • Capabilities statements and marketing to procurement offices
02
Coaching and mentorship

One-on-one guidance and corporate mentor relationships tailored to each business owner's specific goals and readiness stage.

  • Individual business readiness assessments
  • Mentors from corporate supplier diversity teams
  • Accountability check-ins and action planning
  • Alumni mentorship circles for ongoing support
03
Corporate connections

Direct access to the procurement professionals and supplier diversity managers who have the authority to open doors and issue contracts.

  • Corporate matchmaking events with procurement teams
  • Supplier Showcase — 5-minute capability presentations to buyers
  • Introductions to supplier diversity managers
  • Contract opportunity notifications for cohort alumni
Edward A. Simon II
Edward A. Simon II
Founder & President · Former Director, Supplier Diversity · California American Water
MBE LGBTBE CDP 23+ yrs corporate
Founder & Visionary
"

I spent over two decades on the corporate side deciding which businesses were ready. BEA puts that insider knowledge directly in the hands of the diverse entrepreneurs who deserve it.

— Edward A. Simon II, Founder & President
39.96%
Peak diverse spend
69
New vendor relationships
75%
B.R.A.V.O. graduation rate
Recognition
Toni Cornelius Innovation Award
Chicago United
Corporation of the Year
Veterans in Business
Advocate of the Year
LAABA
Top 50 LGBTQ+ Leader 2022 & 2024
SD Business Journal
VP of Inclusive Excellence
USD Alumni Board
Programs and services

From capable to contract-ready.

View all programs
Flagship program
6 months · Cohort-based
Corporate Readiness Accelerator

Our comprehensive program that transforms capable businesses into contract-ready competitors through workshops, coaching, and corporate networking.

6 workshops 4 coaching sessions 2 matchmaking events Peer cohort
Learn more →
LGBTQ+ focused
4 months · Virtual cohort
LGBTQ+ Business Impact Program

A 4-session virtual cohort empowering LGBTQ+-owned businesses to certify, access capital, navigate supplier diversity, and amplify their brand.

LGBTBE certification Capital access Corporate contracting Brand & marketing
Learn more →
All diverse businesses
4 months · Virtual cohort
Diverse Business Impact Program

Built for MBE, WBE, WOSB, VOSB, HUBZone, and DBE businesses — certification, financial readiness, contract-winning, and sustainable growth.

Certification roadmap Financial readiness Winning RFPs Scale & growth
Learn more →
For corporations
Custom engagement
Corporate Supplier Diversity Services

Program design, supplier development, compliance and regulatory support, training, and strategic partnerships — built on 23+ years of corporate experience.

Program design CPUC compliance Supplier training Interim leadership
Learn more →
Who we serve

Built for every dimension of diversity.

BEA serves the full spectrum of diverse business owners — without siloing any group. Every program, every cohort, every connection is designed for your growth.

LGBTQ+ business owner
LGBTQ+ community
LGBTQ+ Business Owner
Pursuing LGBTBE certification and corporate contracts
LGBTBE Seeking Virtual Cohort
Latina entrepreneur
Latino community
Latina Entrepreneur
Building operational capacity for government contracts
MBE Certified Accelerator Alumni
Veteran business owner
Veteran community
Veteran Business Owner
Leveraging military experience to win corporate supplier contracts
VOSB B.R.A.V.O. Mentorship
Proven track record

Ed's results on the corporate side.

These are real numbers from programs Ed designed and ran inside corporate — the same expertise that now powers every BEA program.

39.96%
Peak diverse spend at California American Water — highest in company history
69
New diverse vendor relationships built in 3 years at CAW
75%
Inaugural cohort graduation rate — VIB B.R.A.V.O. Mentorship Program
23+
Years designing supplier diversity programs for major California utilities
Corporate partnership

Build the diverse supplier pipeline you need.

Partner with BEA and receive measurable supplier diversity pipeline development, executive mentorship coordination, and annual impact reporting tied directly to your DEI and procurement goals.

Bronze
$10,000
per year
  • Logo on BEA website and all program materials
  • Invitations to 2 annual Supplier Showcase events
  • Quarterly diverse supplier pipeline reports
  • Social media recognition and announcements
Get started
Silver
$25,000
per year
  • All Bronze benefits
  • 1 mentor seat in Mentorship Circles
  • 1 co-branded workshop per year
  • Priority sourcing access to program participants
  • Featured partner spotlight in BEA communications
Get started
Most impactful
Gold
$50,000
per year
  • All Silver benefits
  • Up to 3 mentor seats
  • Presenting sponsorship at Supplier Showcase
  • Custom workshop for your procurement categories
  • Quarterly strategic meetings with BEA leadership
Get started
Platinum
$100,000+
per year
  • All Gold benefits
  • Dedicated supplier sourcing in your categories
  • Embedded quarterly consulting on your supplier diversity program
  • Board advisory seat (non-voting)
  • Co-created custom programs
Contact us

Ready to get corporate-ready?

Applications for our next cohort are open. Join a community of diverse business owners building real pathways to corporate contracts.

Apply to our programs Contact us
Free to apply · Cohort spots are limited