SBA State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) Grant

Funder: U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), administered by World Trade Center Utah (WTC Utah) in partnership with the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity (GOEO)

Geographic Scope: Utah small businesses

Program Status: Active and accepting applications

Funding Available:

• FY2024-2025: $525,000 (75% federal, 25% non-federal match)
• FY2023: $500,000
• FY2022: $1,000,000

Program Overview

The SBA STEP Grant helps small businesses pursue international sales and global market expansion. The program covers 75% of eligible costs, with companies responsible for 25% match funding.

Eligible Activities

• Attending international trade shows and missions
• Designing and localizing marketing materials for foreign audiences
• Website optimization, localization, and translation for international markets
• Travel expenses for foreign-market sales trips
• Participating in export training workshops
• Accessing U.S. Department of Commerce services
• International business consulting services

Eligibility Requirements

• Small businesses based in Utah
• Companies engaged in or planning international sales
• Ability to match 25% of project costs with non-federal funding

Track Record

• Over 18,000 U.S. small businesses have benefited since inception
• Generated $6.8 billion in exports nationwide
• Over 120 Utah companies awarded in past two years with $90 million in new trade opportunities reported
• For every $1 in national funding, businesses generate approximately $42 in export sales

Contact Information

Address: 60 E. South Temple Ste. 300, Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Success Stories

• Staheli West: Participated in Australia's Fodder Festival, engaged 60+ potential customers, secured distributor partnerships
• Kay Kare: Attended Global Health Exhibition in Saudi Arabia, solidified key contacts and regulatory processes, expanded to Gulf countries and Turkey
• Pingora: Attended ISPO Munich three times, established Japanese partnership and Tokyo launch
• Drift: Partnered with Bataleon to distribute 800+ units across Europe, established Belgian rental operations
• Coalatree: Exhibited at ISPO Munich 2022, expanded to Italy, France, Switzerland, and Germany
• Electric Power Systems: Formalized partnerships at Farnborough International Airshow with SkyDrive (Tokyo) and Supernal (Hyundai Motor Group)

How to Apply

1. Visit the Application Portal: wtcutah.com/grants or wtcutah.com/sba-step-grant
2. Application Requirements:
   • Business must be based in Utah
   • Business must be a small business (as defined by SBA)
   • Company must have a clear international sales goal or existing international operations
   • 25% match funding commitment required
3. Eligible Project Costs:
   • International trade show/mission attendance fees and booth costs
   • Travel and lodging for international business trips
   • International marketing materials and localization/translation
   • Website optimization and localization
   • U.S. Department of Commerce services
   • Export training and consulting services
   • Foreign-market sales trip expenses
4. Required Materials:
   • Business information and registration
   • Project description and international sales goals
   • Budget and cost breakdown
   • Evidence of 25% non-federal match funding
   • Description of how funding will be used
5. Submission Process:
   • Applications submitted via online portal
   • Rolling application process with periodic review
   • Award notifications provided to approved applicants
6. Questions or Inquiries:
   • Contact: grants@wtcutah.com
   • Include details about eligibility questions or specific activities
   • WTC Utah staff available to discuss eligible uses of funds