International Business Development Resources

E.M. Wasylik Associates is connected to various government funded programs that help small and medium sized business in Wisconsin and Illinois succeed in their international business development endeavors. We help clients get the most out of these programs as they provide valuable funding to support their international business plans. The following programs, based in the Chicago and Milwaukee areas, provide resources in the form of financial funding, services, statistics, courses and outlines. Click on the programs below to learn more.

Government Funded Programs For Small to Medium-Sized Wisconsin and Illinois Businesses

1. Wisconsin Economic Development Program (WEDC)

The Wisconsin Economic Development Program (WEDC) provides various funding opportunities for Wisconsin-based businesses launching or expanding their international reach. The WEDC works with various government sponsored loans, tax credits and grants that provides an excellent opportunity for Wisconsin businesses to utilize for their international business development investments. E.M. Wasylik Associates encourage Wisconsin businesses to leverage these tools to help fund their international business endeavors. Our business developers have decades of combined experience helping our clients navigate the following programs:

  • ExporTech™: 12 week export program for new exporters where upon completion of the program, businesses become eligible for certain international business grants.
  • International Market Access Grant (IMAG): Part of the WEDC’s Global Business Development Program which provides funding to support a company’s specific international development and strategy.
  • Collaborative Market Access Grant (CMAG): Also part of the Global Business Development Program, the CMAG supports international business development through an industry-specified intermediary. 

2. Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)

The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has a department called the Wisconsin International Agribusiness Center that supports Wisconsin agriculture companies that are looking to export. DATCP offers various government-funded grant programs that support the exporting ventures of Wisconsin agriculture. Some key resources provided by the DATCP include:

3. ​Illinois State Trade and Export Promotion (ISTEP)

The ​Illinois State Trade and Export Promotion (ISTEP) program offers small Illinois-based businesses with both financial and technical assistance to support their international business development efforts. Specific programs that fall under ISTEP include:

4. Food Export Association

The Food Export Association provides a variety of services, insights and financial assistance for small to medium-sized Midwestern companies in the food & beverage industry. Some of the principal programs provided by the Food Export Association include:

  • Exporter Education: A variety of webinars, seminars, online classes and supporting resources to help businesses who are brand new to exporting.
  • Market Entry: Various sponsored trade missions, trade shows and consultation services to support Midwestern food & beverage exporters.
  • Branded Program: Financial support to assist businesses with the internationalization of their marketing assets.

5. U.S. Commercial Service

The U.S. Commercial Service provides services to small and medium-sized business to promote international business development. Their services focus on outreach and matchmaking, to increase international exposure for your business. Their main program is:

  • Gold Key Service: Subsidized services that include matchmaking, identification of business partners, vetting of business partners and assisting in the preparation and facilitation of international meetings.

The Wisconsin Economic Development Program (WEDC) provides various funding opportunities for Wisconsin-based businesses launching or expanding their international reach. The WEDC works with various government sponsored loans, tax credits and grants that provides an excellent opportunity for Wisconsin businesses to utilize for their international business development investments. E.M. Wasylik Associates encourage Wisconsin businesses to leverage these tools to help fund their international business endeavors. Our business developers have decades of combined experience helping our clients navigate the following programs:

  • ExporTech™: 12 week export program for new exporters where upon completion of the program, businesses become eligible for certain international business grants.
  • International Market Access Grant (IMAG): Part of the WEDC’s Global Business Development Program which provides funding to support a company’s specific international development and strategy.
  • Collaborative Market Access Grant (CMAG): Also part of the Global Business Development Program, the CMAG supports international business development through an industry-specified intermediary. 

The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has a department called the Wisconsin International Agribusiness Center that supports Wisconsin agriculture companies that are looking to export. DATCP offers various government-funded grant programs that support the exporting ventures of Wisconsin agriculture. Some key resources provided by the DATCP include:

The ​Illinois State Trade and Export Promotion (ISTEP) program offers small Illinois-based businesses with both financial and technical assistance to support their international business development efforts. Specific programs that fall under ISTEP include:

The Food Export Association provides a variety of services, insights and financial assistance for small to medium-sized Midwestern companies in the food & beverage industry. Some of the principal programs provided by the Food Export Association include:

  • Exporter Education: A variety of webinars, seminars, online classes and supporting resources to help businesses who are brand new to exporting.
  • Market Entry: Various sponsored trade missions, trade shows and consultation services to support Midwestern food & beverage exporters.
  • Branded Program: Financial support to assist businesses with the internationalization of their marketing assets.

The U.S. Commercial Service provides services to small and medium-sized business to promote international business development. Their services focus on outreach and matchmaking, to increase international exposure for your business. Their main program is:

  • Gold Key Service: Subsidized services that include matchmaking, identification of business partners, vetting of business partners and assisting in the preparation and facilitation of international meetings.

Additional Information and Links for Government Funded Programs For Businesses Elsewhere

Arizona Step – Grants available up to $10,000.

STEP ARWTC – Unspecified grant opportunity with the following rules for eligibility:

  • Is organized or incorporated in the United States
  • Is operating in the United States
  • Meets the applicable industry-based small business size standard established under section 3 of the Small Business Actor
    the alternate size standard applicable to the program under section 7(a) of the Small Business Act and the loan programs under title V of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958
  • Has been in business for not less than 1 year, as of the date on which assistance using a grant under this subsection commences
  • Has access to sufficient resources to bear the costs associated with trade, including the costs of packing, shipping, freight forwarding, and customs brokers.

STEP – Unspecified grant, backed by the SBA, with the following rules for eligibility.

  • Must fit the SBA definition of a small business
  • Must have been in operation for over a year
  • Must operate in California
  • Must sell products with a US origin, or at least 51% US content
  • Must be a for-profit comany
  • Mush have sufficient resources to bear export related costs

ICEP – Up to $5,000 available to small and medium sized businesses with the following rules for eligibility.

  • Be organized or incorporated in the U.S.
  • Be operating in the U.S.
  • Is exporting goods or services of U.S. Origin or that have at least 51% or more U.S. content
  • Meets the applicable industry-based small business size standard established under section 3 of the Small Business Act; or
    The alternate size standard applicable to the program,
    Registered to do business in the State of California and in good standing.
  • Must be in good standing with the California Secretary of State.
  • Must be in business for at least one year at the time of the approved ICEP activity takes place.
  • Must have sufficient resources to bear the costs associate with trade, including the costs of packing, shipping, freight forwarding, and customs brokers.
  • Must agree to provide information on export sales data resulting from the ICEP reimbursement funding, and respond to all subsequent STEP surveys on a timely basis.

STEP – Up to $10,000 of grant funding available with the following eligibility requirements.

  • Must be registered with the Colorado Secretary of State and in Good Standing
    have headquarters in Colorado or have at least 50% of your employees based in Colorado
  • Must be a U.S. company seeking to export goods or services of U.S. origin or with at least 51% U.S. content
  • Must be at least one year old as of the date you would begin using STEP grant funds
  • Must be new to export or expanding to a new export market
  • Must have a commercialized product or service to export
  • Must be export-ready
  • Must meet the applicable industry-based small business size standard

STEP – Up to $15,000 in funding available for small to medium sized businesses that fit the following criteria.

  • Operate a registered business in Connecticut to manufacture, assemble and/or distribute a product, or provide an exportable service
  • Qualify as an “eligible small business concern” per one’s NAICS code and the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) size standards
  • Have been in business for not less than one year ending on the date on which assistance is provided under the STEP program
  • Have demonstrated an understanding of the costs associated with exporting and doing business with foreign purchasers, including the costs of freight forwarding, customs brokers, packing and shipping
  • Seek to export goods or services of U.S. origin or have at least 51% U.S. content
  • Are not presently debarred, suspended, proposed for disbarment, declared ineligible and/or voluntarily excluded from participation by any federal department or agency

 

STEP – Up to $7,000 of funding available for business that meet the following criteria.

  • Business must have operations in Delaware. Companies incorporated in Delaware without operations here are not eligible for Delaware STEP Grants.
  • 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.
  • Companies must be in business for no less than a one-year period ending on the date on which assistance is provided under the STEP grant.
  • Company must have demonstrated 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.

Enterprise Florida – Various grants available for small and medium sized businesses.

Go Global Georgia – Up to $6,000 available for Georgia businesses that fit the following criteria:

  • Must be incorporated in the U.S. & operate in the state of Georgia
  • Meet the SBA’s size standards for a Small Business Concern (typically 500 employees or less)
  • Have been in business for not less than one year at the start of the grant year
  • Be in good standing with the federal government
  • Be an export ready Georgia company seeking to export goods or services of U.S. origin or that
    have at least 51% U.S. content
  • Have access to sufficient resources to bear the costs associated with exporting
  • SBA requires applicants to self-certify that they meet all eligibility requirements
  • Applications must be received at least 30 business days prior to the requested export activity and
    approved prior to the activity start date

STEP – Up to $9,000 in grant funding available pending they meet SBA guidelines for small and medium businesses.

IN- STEP – Up to 50% reimbursement of $12,500 in grant funding for export expenses. 

MTAP – Maximum potential reimbursement of $22,000 for for-profit companies operating in Iowa to process, manufacture, add value to product and/or distribute a product or provide an exportable service.

STEP – Unspecified funding available for Kansas-based companies that meet the SBA’s small business definition.

STEP – Unspecified funding available for Kentucky-based companies that meet the SBA’s small business definition.

STEP – Up to $6,333 in funding for small businesses that meet the SBA’s guidelines for a small business.

STEP – Up to $20,000 per year available in grant funding should businesses meet the U.S. SBA’s definition of a small business.

ExportMD – Up to $5,000 available in grant funding for Maryland businesses that meet the following criteria: 

  • Must have business operations in Maryland and be in good standing with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation
  • Must be in existence for at least one year
  • Must not have received an ExportMD Award in the last 2 yea​rs
  • Is a “small business” as defined by the SBA
  • Is planning an international business initiative to commence and conclude within six months of the application deadline.

STEP – Up to $12,000 available for applicable business that meet the SBA’s definition of an eligible small business concern under Section 503 of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement At of 2015.

MI-STEP – Up to $15,000 available for small businesses in Michigan that meet the following criteria:

  • Be in accordance with Small Business Administration (SBA)
    guidelines and size standards
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the costs associated with
    exporting and doing business with foreign purchasers, including the costs of freight forwarding, customs brokers, packing, and shipping, per SBA guidelines
  • Demonstrate potential for export success and positive impact on the regional economy
  • Provide an EIN number linked to a Michigan address
  • Be in good standing with the Michigan Department of
    Treasury and other regulatory agencies
  • Must be an export-ready U.S. company seeking to export
    goods or services of U.S. origin or have at least 51 percent U.S. content

STEP – Up to $7,500 grant funding available for Minnesota companies that fit the SBA definition of a small business, have been in operation for at least one year, operate on a profit, and have an understanding of the costs associated with exporting.

STEP – An unspecified amount of grant funding available for business that meet the following criteria:

  • Meet the small business standards as set by SBA
  • Be in business for not less than 1-year period ending on the date on which assistance is provided under a STEP grant
  • Is operating profitably, based on operations in the U.S.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the costs associated with exporting and doing business with foreign
    buyers
  • Has in effect a strategic plan for exporting
  • Submit complete required STEP documentation
  • Execute the proposed project no later than September 30, 2016
  • Submit all required post-activity documentation to MDA
  • Agree to provide MDA with the export sales from the STEP-funded initiative

G-MAP – Maximum of $15,000 annually available for small to medium sized manufacturers that meet the guidelines set by Export Missouri.

MO STEP-UP – Total possible maximum of $17,500 in grant funding for small to medium size business that meet the requirements of Export Missouri.

STEP – Up to $30,000 per year available for businesses that meet MarketMT’s guidelines for this STEP program.

STEP – An unspecified amount of funding for businesses that meet the requirements set by Opportunity Nebraska.

STEP – Up to $10,000 in grant funding available for businesses that meet the SBA’s guidelines for this grant.

STEP – Up to $6,000 per year available for businesses in New Hampshire that meet NH Export Assistance’s guidelines for the grant.

NJ STEP – Unspecified amount of funding available for New Jersey small businesses as defined by the SBA. 

STEP – Up to $13,000 of funding available for New York State manufacturers that qualify as an eligible small business concern as defined by the SBA.

Global NY Fund Grant – Up to $25,000 available for small businesses that meet the guidelines as set by ESD New York.

STEP – Unspecified funding for businesses in North Carolina that meet the NC Commerce’s guidelines for STEP.

STEP ND – Maximum total reimbursement of $25,000 per company that meet NDTO’s guidelines for the program.

IMAGE – Up to $10,000 in grant funding available for businesses that meet the guidelines of Development Ohio.

STEP – Up to $28,000 in funding available for eligible businesses as defined by OKCommerce.

Export Promotion Program – Up to $10,000 in funding available for businesses that meet the guidelines as defined by Oregon 4 Biz. 

GAP – Up to $10,000 in funding available for export-ready companies in the state that are in good standing according to the definition set forth by the SBA.

STEP – Up to $6,000 in funding available per grant period for Rhode Island businesses that meet the guidelines of Commerce RI.

STEP – Unspecified grant allotted to qualifying businesses as defined by SC Commerce.

STEP – Up to $10,000 of grant funding available for qualified businesses for various export programs developed by the state of Texas.

STEP – Up to $15,000 in grant funding available for qualified businesses as defined by WTC Utah.

STEP – Up to $10,000 in export program funding including international trade show assistance.

STEP – Up to $10,000 in grant funding available for eligible businesses as defined by the export voucher program of the state of Washington.

STEP EPP – Up to $15,000 available for businesses eligible as defined by the Export Promotion division of the state of West Virginia.

STEP – Up to$5,000 available for eligible businesses as defined by the Wyoming Business Council.