Financing for Woman-Owned Small Businesses (WOSB)
Your WOSB certification opens doors to set-aside contracts — but winning the award is only half the battle. Encore advances up to 90% of your invoice value so you can deliver without draining your cash reserves.
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WOSB set-asides reward you for winning — then make you wait
The WOSB and EDWOSB programs carve out federal work specifically for woman-owned firms, and the awards can be transformative. But the federal payment cycle doesn't care about your certification: you'll still wait 30 to 90 days while payroll, suppliers, and subcontractors expect to be paid now.
For a growing WOSB, that gap is the single biggest constraint on how much work you can responsibly take on. Many capable firms pass on perfectly good awards simply because they can't carry the receivable.
How Encore frees up your cash
Encore advances up to 90% of your approved invoice value, often within 48 hours. You get the cash to perform now; we wait for the agency to pay. When the government remits, you receive the remaining balance, less a transparent fee.
It's not a loan and it's not equity — so there's no fixed monthly payment, and your woman-owned ownership stays fully intact. Your funding line grows right alongside your contract volume.
A funding partner that understands set-aside work
Encore was founded by the original Advance Partners team and has deployed over $25 billion in funding. We underwrite against the federal government's creditworthiness — not just your business credit — which makes financing accessible to newer and rapidly scaling WOSB firms.
Whether you're a prime on a WOSB set-aside or subcontracting on a larger vehicle, financing scales with your pipeline so you can compete for — and deliver on — the awards your certification earns you.
Frequently asked questions
Will financing affect my WOSB certification?
No. Invoice factoring isn't a loan or an equity investment — it advances cash against receivables you've already earned, so your woman-owned ownership and control are unchanged.
How fast can I get funded?
Approval is typically within 48 hours, and once your line is set up, advances on new invoices can fund in as little as one business day.
Do I need strong business credit to qualify?
Not necessarily. Underwriting focuses on the creditworthiness of your customer — the federal government — which makes financing accessible to newer WOSB firms still building their credit.
Can I use this for both WOSB set-aside and full-and-open contracts?
Yes. If you invoice a government agency on Net terms, you likely qualify — regardless of whether the award came through a set-aside or open competition.
How much does it cost?
Pricing is a transparent fee on the invoice amount, quoted up front. Submit the form and a funding specialist will walk you through exact terms — no obligation.
Ready to stop waiting on government payments?
Get up to 90% of your invoice value advanced. Apply in minutes.