California STEP Grant – Y11 Round 3

The California State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) is a grant program administered by the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The program's primary purpose is to support small businesses in California by helping them participate in export promotion activities to increase the number of exporters and the overall value of exports from the state. STEP provides financial assistance to eligible small businesses to lower the costs associated with export development and to provide resources that enhance their global competitiveness. STEP offers three primary types of funding opportunities: STEP Events, Export Vouchers, and Export Training. STEP Events are pre-selected trade shows or trade missions led by GO-Biz and its partners. Eligible businesses may participate in up to two STEP Events per federal fiscal year, with additional opportunities possible depending on availability. Export Vouchers provide reimbursement for up to 75% of pre-approved export promotion expenses, up to $10,000 per fiscal year. These vouchers allow businesses to propose their own export activities, including trade show participation, international marketing, product compliance, website globalization, and intellectual property registration. Export Training provides funding for workshops and educational courses directly related to exporting. To be eligible, applicants must be for-profit businesses legally organized in the United States with a substantial operational presence in California. They must meet SBA’s definition of a small business, with at least 51% U.S. content in the goods or services they export. Businesses must have been in operation for at least one year, have a valid business license or entity registration in California, and be in good standing with regulatory authorities. Applicants must also demonstrate their ability to cover trade-related costs, such as shipping and customs expenses. Ineligible applicants include businesses based outside the U.S., those engaged in certain restricted industries such as gambling or adult entertainment, and those participating in another state’s STEP program. Applications are evaluated based on several criteria, including the completeness of responses, export readiness, and the strength of the proposed export activity. Preference is given to first-time applicants and companies considered “new to export.” Funding decisions also consider the availability of funds and the overall quality of applications received. Applications for STEP Events are accepted on a rolling basis, while Export Voucher applications are accepted during designated rounds aligned with the fiscal year. Applications for Export Vouchers must be submitted at least two to three weeks prior to the proposed activity. The application process requires documentation such as a California Secretary of State entity number (for corporations and LLCs), business license (for sole proprietors), NAICS code, employee count, and annual receipts. Awarded funds are reimbursed after completion of pre-approved activities, with a requirement to submit invoices, proof of payment, and proof of activity within 14 days of completion. Businesses must also complete periodic surveys over a three-year period to report on export outcomes resulting from STEP funding. Contact information for the program includes Mariana Guevara, Export Program Manager (Mariana.Guevara@gobiz.ca.gov), and Jonathan Gasca, International Trade Analyst (Jonathan.Gasca@gobiz.ca.gov). The program guidelines were last updated on July 2, 2024. The federal fiscal year covered by the guidelines runs from October 1, 2024, to September 28, 2025. Applications are processed through the online STEP Grant Portal. There is no single close date for the program, but individual application deadlines vary by event or funding type.