Export Delaware’s Business trips are an excellent opportunity to meet face-to-face with distributors and potential customers – all with the assistance of seasoned global trade experts.

Here are some of the benefits:

• Meetings with distributors, agents, or customers according to your needs — all arranged specifically for your company.
• Assistance from State of Delaware in-country trade representative and the Export Delaware Team.
• Translation of sales presentations and materials (if needed) and in-country transportation and interpreters on the trip.
• Preparation session and in-country briefing.
• On-site assistance throughout the trip and follow-up assistance upon return.

Businesses with physical operations in the State of Delaware that meet the qualifying criteria may apply.

International Sales Made Easy on Export Delaware Business Trips

In our global society, exporting your products and services can be critical to the overall success of any small business. To grow and scale to the next level, your company needs to access new customers and markets, and they very well may be overseas.

To export, you need the guidance, expertise, and contacts of those who have actually been where you are now. Export Delaware is a state division, run like a business. Export Delaware and our team of international trade representatives have decades of export experience working in companies just like yours. Today, our program is one of the best state programs in the country, delivering substantial sales for our small business community.

We have developed a tiered phase approach to international business development with our team of experts around the world. Our process has helped nearly 100 Delaware small businesses enter markets overseas and secure new customers through this approach. In each Export Delaware business trip, we:

1. Identify target customers
2. Screen and Vet the target customers
3. Translate your sales presentation to the local language
4. Arrange business meetings for you with customers

Learn more about our formula for success in this article.

Does My Business Qualify?

The Compass Grant is for export-ready Delaware small businesses. Please note the Compass Grant is NOT for startups.

Your business must meet the following requirements to qualify for Compass Grant funds:

• Business must have operations in Delaware. Those companies incorporated in Delaware without operations here are not eligible for Delaware grant funding.
• Applicant must be a U.S. citizen.
• Product must be made in the USA – there is a 51% U.S. content requirement.
• Companies must meet SBA size standards for eligibility, which vary by NAICS code and type of business. Please verify before completing the application.
• Company must be in business for no less than one year to qualify for grant funding.
• Company must have demonstrated an understanding of the costs associated with exporting and doing business with foreign producers, including costs of freight forwarding, customs brokers, packing and shipping.
• Company must have a strategic export plan in effect.
• Accounting, Legal, and Technical Service Firms may be eligible, provided they have international clientele and can prove the intent to expand their business of exporting professional services.

Take the export readiness assessment to learn if your business is ready to grow internationally.

Compass Grant Awards from the State of Delaware are awarded on a competitive basis. At the Delaware Department of State (Export Delaware), diversity, equity, and inclusion are woven into everything we do. We aim to help Delaware small businesses of all types and backgrounds succeed and thrive, and we believe that promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion is essential to achieving that goal. We are committed to providing equal opportunities for all constituents.

Success Stories

Business trips are a proven model to achieve new export sales. Read about companies that have participated in the past.

Long-term Focus Helps this Delaware Exporter Win Big in Mexico

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In 2015 Jeremy Dayton took his first business trip to Mexico with the State of Delaware. Since that trip, he’s returned to Mexico four times, and Polymer Technologies has developed several sizable customers there. Read how.

Export Delaware Spearheads SUMURI’s Strategic Expansion

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Export Delaware’s role was pivotal in preparing SUMURI to participate in a business trip to Thailand and the Philippines, facilitated by Export Delaware. Roslewicz noted, “There was no way we could have set up these meetings on our own. You can’t cold-call the government.”

Batta Environmental Receives Major Export Contract in Mexico

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In 2018, Batta Environmental participated in a State-led business trip to Mexico. As a result, they received a sizable USTDA grant-funded contract award to provide environmental engineering services for CONAGUA.

How to Build Trust with Your Overseas Partners in Southeast Asia

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Before 2018, GS-Tek had only received a few inquiries from Southeast Asia from their website. They joined Export Delaware on a business trip to Singapore and Malaysia in the Spring of 2018, and after that, everything changed.

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.

International Focus a Key for This Women-Owned Business

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In 2019, Habbart was invited to join the State of Delaware on a business trip to Ireland. Export Delaware’s international trade representative in Ireland, Declan Barry helped to coordinate the trip. Barry and the Export Delaware team took care of all the trip logistics and even set up one-on-one business meetings with vetted, potential customers.

In Africa, Building Business Means Building Relationships

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Bill Rawheiser, President of Sun-In-One, has been traveling and exporting to various countries in Africa for over a decade. In this article, we’ll share how Bill got started in Africa, and why Delaware exporters should consider focusing efforts to expand exports there right now.

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.