Export Delaware in an initiative of the Delaware Department of State. We are the official export resource for Delaware’s small businesses. If you are a new exporter, or want to explore new markets, we can help you get started.

Export Delaware assists Delaware companies that seek to export their products and services. Our experienced staff provides on-site guidance to businesses that are looking to explore export opportunities or to expand their current export activities to new markets.

Some of the most successful exporters are innovative small- and medium-sized businesses (which account for 98 percent of U.S. exporters). Businesses that export have faster-growing sales, create more jobs and are less likely to go out of business than non-exporting establishments.
 
 

History

In 2014, Export Delaware was charged with expanding the State’s export program to offer more services and reach more businesses throughout the state. Export Advisor, Beth Pomper developed the first ever strategic export plan for the State to determine where Delaware companies will have the most success overseas. Here’s a glimpse of what we’ve accomplished since then:

• Export Delaware hired international trade representatives in target markets to represent Delaware’s small business in-country. The countries included Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Mexico, and South Korea. The longstanding partnership with Delaware’s trade office in Israel (representing the Middle East) was extended as well.

• Activities were planned to help Delaware businesses penetrate the target markets, including international business trips, meetings with foreign trade representatives, seminars and education opportunities for Delaware companies, and many more local events.

• In 2017, Export Delaware expanded the strategic export program to include Ireland, Colombia, Singapore, Malaysia and Australia, and additional trade representatives were engaged to support the program.

• Export Delaware has received three State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grant awards from the Small Business Administration. Nearly $800,000 of grant funds have been distributed to  to assist Delaware companies enter and develop markets over the last three years.

• To date, Export Delaware has supported more than 68 Delaware companies participate in international business trips around the world. As a result of the activity, the participants estimate $38 million in export sales.

• In 2018, the Strategic Export plan was expanded to include the UK and Indonesia.

The ongoing Strategic Export Plan is evaluated on an annual basis. Activities are planned at the time Export Delaware applies for the federal STEP Grant for the upcoming Federal fiscal year (October–September).

What Delaware Businesses Are Saying 

To date, we’ve organized 15 international business trips, and awarded nearly $800,000 of STEP grant funds to support Delaware’s small businesses achieve new export sales. Read the personal testimonies from businesses we’ve worked with and learn how we can help your organization.

Business trip with Export Delaware lands Solar Unlimited five new major contracts in Mexico

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George Chambers identifies himself as a “solar power ‘peddler’” in a recent interview with Delmarva Now. However, Chambers is much more than that—the 70-year-old businessman is the driving force behind Lewes-based Solar Unlimited, a provider of solar-powered energy systems.

Serious leads, new high-level connections made on recent business trip

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Sanjay Kapuria wasn’t sure what to expect when he agreed to join a Delaware trade mission to Mexico earlier this fall. He knew that Mexico held opportunities for Jaykal LED Solutions, his lighting business, but wondered whether the trip would be worth the travel costs.

Efforts to build business partnerships with produce buyers in Canada already yielding result

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Representatives from major Canadian retailers are in talks with Delaware farmers to add their produce to Canadian shelves, the first results in the wake of spring trade missions designed to increase Delaware exports to the north and a recent visit by Canadian buyers in Delaware.

How GS-Tek grew their exports nearly 33 percent

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Delaware’s GS-Tek is achieving international financial success by entering new markets. The Newark-based chromatographic products manufacturer has worked closely with the U.S. Commercial Service’s Philadelphia U.S. Export Assistance Center (USEAC) to identify key international trade shows and trusted business partners.