Small businesses eligible for grant through State Trade and Expansion Program
Submitted by Lee County EDO
Looking to export? Small businesses may be eligible for a grant through the Small Business Administration’s State Trade and Expansion Program. Through the STEP grant, businesses may be able to receive reimbursement costs incurred for trade show fees and related travel expenses, including product sample shipments, translation services, company promotions/marketing plans and more. STEP grant funding is available through September 2026. Contact the Florida SBDC at FGCU or Lee County EDO for information on other opportunities to support the imports and exports of goods and services.
Available services for eligible export clients:
Travel Reimbursement – Trade Shows & Export Missions: The Florida SBDC will use STEP funding to provide reimbursement of up to $2500 in export/trade show related travel costs for export clients attending approved trade/export related events. Allowable costs include airfare, lodging, trade show fees, transportation, & sample shipment fees (not to exceed $2000).
US Commercial Service Products Customized Market Research: Through STEP funds, the FSBDC will also provide customized market research to offer eligible companies with answers to questions specific to the client’s products/services in a market; including market structure, trends and size, customary distribution and promotion practices, and key competitors and agents, distributors, or strategic partners in the market. We will utilize the service provided by the U.S. Commercial Service. https://www.trade.gov/customized-market-research-0
International Company Profile: The FSBDC will use STEP funds to provide a comprehensive background report on a specific foreign company through the U.S. Commercial Service: https://www.trade.gov/international-companyprofile-0
Translation of Trade Show Materials: The FSBDC will reimburse export clients with up to $500 in allowable costs related to translation services in conjunction with attendance at trade show events. These services may include translation of digital assets, websites, printed marketing materials, order forms, product packaging, etc.
Website localization service: The FSBDC will reimburse export clients with up to $2100 in allowable costs related to website localization for firms to enter or do further business in one or more global markets.
Exploratory Export Marketing Plan (EMP): The FSBDC will utilize data research analysts and trade specialists to prepare a data rich multi-page plan specifically tailored to new-to-export businesses to explore possibilities and the appetite of an ESBC to export. The plan will have an executive summary outlining the data and a next steps section for further action if desired. FSBDC will utilizes STEP funding to reimburse $500 to cover cost of report.
Comprehensive Export Marketing Plans (EMP): Customized Export Marketing Plan prepared by a certified FSBDC International Trade Consultant; each EMP includes a thorough readiness assessment, Industry/Market/SWOT analysis, review of trade opportunities, and an action plan. Export Marketing Plans are valued at $7,500. Operating as a partner of FSBDC, Enterprise Florida, Inc. subsidizes $4,500 of that cost through the state international trade program, FSBDC utilizes STEP funding to cover $2,500 of the cost, and the export client would be responsible to pay a $500.00 fee.
For more information on the program and to apply, visit www.FloridaSBDC.org.