The certification economy
The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) is the largest certifier of LGBTQ-owned businesses in the US, with over 3,400 certified firms. Certification gives access to supplier-diversity tracks at the 375 Fortune 500 corporate partners that have committed spend to LGBTQ-owned suppliers.
Certified firms grew 18% YoY in 2025 — driven by corporate DE&I procurement targets and increased awareness post-Bostock v. Clayton County.
Industry concentration
- Professional services — 28%
- Marketing + creative — 19%
- Tech + software — 16%
- Hospitality + travel — 11%
- Healthcare — 8%
- Other — 18%
The headwinds
Census does not yet collect LGBTQ ownership data systematically (unlike race + gender), so the total population estimate of ~1.4M LGBTQ-owned firms relies on Williams Institute extrapolation. Some states have rolled back supplier-diversity programs, but corporate buyers continue to expand them.
Sources