The State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) Grant offers eligible Delaware businesses assistance to help launch or expand export activity. Grant funds can be used to reimburse Delaware businesses for up to 50 percent of all pre-approved, eligible, export marketing expenses, up to a maximum of $7,000 per fiscal year, per company. Delaware companies can receive funding for a maximum of three times, per country market, in a five-year period. For more information, contact the Export Delaware Team.
Please note that the STEP Grant is only available to companies with a physical operation and employees in Delaware.
STEP Grant Allowable Expense Reimbursements:
Please note that STEP Grant funds may only be used to cover the expenses of one traveler per company. An exception may be made if the second traveler is a technical person who is needed to facilitate sales.
Fees for shipping sample products (capped at $4,000)
Cost of compliance testing an existing product for entry into an export market (capped at $6,000)
Export research tool subscription used to assist STEP Clients with market research (capped at $2,000 per award year)
Website translation into a foreign language, search engine optimization, and localization services (capped at $10,000)
Design of marketing media (capped at $6,000) commensurate with STEP’s statutory objectives deemed appropriate and approved in advance by SBA
Export conferences, meetings, symposium or training programs that pertain to STEP’s statutory objectives deemed appropriate and approved in advance by SBA
STEP Grant Unallowable Expense Reimbursements:
Passport or visa fees
Meals
Immunizations
Expenses related to entertaining current or prospective clients or government officials
New product development or alteration of existing products
Cellphones and cellphone charges
Television and radio production
Efforts to create or augment marketing and advertising campaigns to draw international visitors to a State
Cost for printing marketing materials
Cost for development and/or design of a website for a company
Cost for enhancement and/or development of an existing company’s product
Costs associated with individuals attendance at meetings, conferences and symposiums
Funded in part through a Grant with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Additional Funding For Export Activities
Additional capital resources are available from the federal government and other organizations for export activities. Options range from tax credits to low interest loans, and other financing plans. Search here to find the right option for your business.
Name of Incentive: International Trade Loan Program
Issuing Organization: SBA
Details: Loans available to small businesses in a position to expand existing export markets or develop new export markets, or that have been adversely affected by import competition and can demonstrate that the loan proceeds will improve their competitive position.