Section 100. Ownership

A. The ownership by women, minority, or individual owners (in the case of a small business) must be real, substantial, and continuing going beyond the pro forma ownership of the business.

B. Records of the applicant's business arrangements must demonstrate that the women, minority, or individual owners who the applicant claims to have ownership interests in the applicant's business share in all risks and profits in proportion to their ownership interests.

C. Women, minority, or individual owners who the applicant claims to have an ownership interest in the applicant's business as evidenced by securities must hold the securities directly or in a trust as described in subsection I of this section.

D. Contribution of capital or expertise.

1. Contribution of capital, expertise, or both by women, minority, or individual owners to acquire their ownership interest shall be real and substantial and be in proportion to the interests acquired.

2. Insufficient contributions shall include promises to contribute capital or expertise in the future; a note or notes payable to the business or its owners who are not themselves women, minority, or individual owners; or the mere participation as an employee.

E. In a sole proprietorship, the woman, minority, or individual applying for certification must own 100% of the business and its assets.

F. Corporations.

1. In a corporate form of organization, women, minority, or individual owners must own at least 51% of each class of voting stock outstanding and 51% of the aggregate of all stock outstanding.

2. Any voting agreements among the shareholders must not dilute the beneficial ownership, the rights, or the influence of the women, minority, or individual owners of the stock or classes of stock of the corporation.

3. Women, minority, or individual owners shall possess the right to all customary incidents of ownership (e.g., ability to transfer stock, title possession, enter binding agreements, etc.).

G. Partnerships.

1. General partnership. In a general partnership, women, minority, or individual owners must own at least 51% of the partnership interests.

2. Limited partnership.

a. In a limited partnership, the women, minority, or individual owners who are general partners must own at least 51% of the general partnership interest and exert at least 51% of the control among general partners. The women, minority, or individual owners who are general partners must receive at least 51% of the profits and benefits, including tax credits, deductions, and postponements distributed or allocable to the general partner.

b. In addition, the women, minority, or individual owners who are limited partners must own at least 51% of the limited partnership interests and receive at least 51% of the profits and benefits, including tax credits, deductions, and postponements distributed or allocable to the limited partners.

H. Limited liability companies.

1. In a limited liability company, women, minority, or individual owners must own at least 51% of membership interests and have at least 51% of the management and control among the members.

2. The women, minority, or individual owners must also participate in all risks and profits of the organization at a rate commensurate with their membership interests.

I. Trusts. In order to be counted as owned by women, minority, or individual owners, securities held in a trust must meet the following requirements, as applicable:

1. Irrevocable trusts. The beneficial owner of securities held in an irrevocable trust is a woman, a minority individual, or an individual who is not a minor and all the trustees are women, minority individuals, or individuals provided that a financial institution may act as trustee.

2. Revocable trusts. The beneficial owner of securities held in a revocable trust is a woman, a minority individual, or an individual who is not a minor; all the grantors are women, minority individuals, or individuals; and all the trustees are women, minority individuals, or individuals provided that a financial institution may act as trustee.

3. Employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs). Securities owned by women, minority individuals, or individuals who are participants in an employee stock ownership plan qualified under 26 USC § 401, Internal Revenue Code, 1986, as amended, and held in a trust where all or at least 51% or more of the trustees are women, minority individuals, or individuals provided that a financial institution may act as trustee.

4. Other requirements. Businesses whose securities are owned in whole or part in a trust are not thereby exempt from the other requirements of this chapter.

J. Joint venture. In a joint venture, the women, minority, or individual owners must own at least 51% of the business venture, exert at least 51% of the control of the venture, and have made at least 51% of the total investment.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 32, Issue 25, eff. August 8, 2016.

Statutory Authority

§ 2.2-1606 of the Code of Virginia.