Every BEA program is built on one foundation — the insider knowledge Ed Simon developed over 23 years on the corporate side of the procurement table. We teach what corporations actually look for, not what textbooks say they look for.
Start with the flagship cohort or pick the single support you need — each program builds the same corporate-readiness muscle.
Our 6-month cohort that turns capable businesses into contract-ready competitors — technical workshops, one-on-one coaching, and direct corporate networking.
View details ↓ 3 monthsA focused 3-month program designed specifically to guide businesses through the diverse supplier certification process from application through approval.
View details ↓ Quarterly eventsQuarterly events where diverse businesses present their capabilities directly to corporate procurement teams and supplier diversity managers from BEA partner companies.
View details ↓ 6-month cyclesSmall-group mentorship bringing together 4–6 diverse business owners with an experienced corporate mentor for ongoing guidance, peer learning, and strategic problem-solving.
View details ↓ On demandOn-demand coaching for time-sensitive business needs such as urgent RFP responses, contract negotiations, or crisis management.
View details ↓ Monthly · Open accessMonthly 60-minute webinars on critical topics for diverse business owners, open to the broader community beyond BEA program participants. Includes live Q&A, downloadable resources, and a 30-day recording.
View details ↓ 7 sessions · VirtualVirtual Insurance Education Series — available to organizations individually or in partnership with fellow utilities — designed specifically to demystify insurance requirements and processes for small, diverse, and veteran-owned suppliers seeking utility contracting opportunities. The series is tailored to your utility's specific insurance frameworks, procurement language, and risk requirements, while equipping suppliers with the practical knowledge they need to compete.
View details ↓The full cohort experience — workshops, coaching, networking, and a peer community, in one structured program.
Our comprehensive 6-month cohort-based program that transforms capable businesses into contract-ready competitors through technical assistance, one-on-one coaching, and direct corporate networking. Limited to 15–20 businesses per cohort to ensure personalized attention.
Cohorts are limited to 15–20 businesses to ensure personalized attention. Reach out to learn more about upcoming cohorts.
Quarterly events where diverse businesses present their capabilities directly to corporate procurement teams and supplier diversity managers from BEA partner companies.
Ask about this programSmall-group mentorship bringing together 4–6 diverse business owners with an experienced corporate mentor for ongoing guidance, peer learning, and strategic problem-solving.
Ask about this programOn-demand coaching for time-sensitive business needs such as urgent RFP responses, contract negotiations, or crisis management.
Ask about this programMonthly 60-minute webinars on critical topics for diverse business owners, open to the broader community beyond BEA program participants. Includes live Q&A, downloadable resources, and a 30-day recording.
Ask about this programVirtual Insurance Education Series — available to organizations individually or in partnership with fellow utilities — designed specifically to demystify insurance requirements and processes for small, diverse, and veteran-owned suppliers seeking utility contracting opportunities. The series is tailored to your utility's specific insurance frameworks, procurement language, and risk requirements, while equipping suppliers with the practical knowledge they need to compete.
Ask about this programAn overview of common utility insurance requirements — general liability, auto, workers' compensation, umbrella/excess coverage — and the rationale behind them. Demystifying the difference between "standard" and project-specific requirements.
Practical guidance on how to interpret insurance language in procurement documents, identify key requirements early, and know what questions to ask — and when to ask them.
How to find and leverage broker relationships, what underwriters look for in small and diverse businesses, and how to advocate for competitive coverage pricing.
A practical walkthrough of how contractor qualification platforms work, what compliance looks like, and how to maintain good standing without excessive administrative burden.
Understanding EMR, how it's calculated, and actionable strategies to improve your safety record — which in turn improves insurance pricing and bid competitiveness.
An accessible breakdown of Owner-Controlled Insurance Programs, risk pooling models, and when alternative structures may be worth exploring for a supplier's business.
An interactive capstone session where suppliers can bring their most pressing questions directly to utility risk management representatives and insurance professionals.
Take the next step
Whether you're pursuing your first corporate contract or returning for ongoing support — BEA has a program built for you.
Free for business owners · New cohorts forming