Eligibility:

* Be organized or incorporated in the U.S.
* Operate in the U.S.
* Export-ready U.S. Company seeking to export goods or services of U.S. origin or have at least 51% U.S. Content
* Meet

a) the applicable industry-based small business size standard established under section 3 of the Small Business Act; or

b) the alternate size standard applicable to the program, under section 7(a) of the Small Business Act and the loan program, under Title V of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 695 et seq.) The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) size standards are found at 13 C.F.R Part 121.

*Use the following sba.gov link for information on size standards for your business based on your NAICS code:  https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/files/Size_Standards_Table.pdf

* You can also use the following tool to determine your small business eligibility: https://www.sba.gov/size-standards/

*Have been in business for not less than the 1-year period at the time of application;
* Demonstrate understanding of the costs associated with exporting and doing business with foreign purchasers, including the costs of freight forwarding, customs brokers, packing and shipping; have in effect a strategic plan for exporting; and, demonstrate export readiness.

*Company is For-Profit
*Be in good standing with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.
*Have a Federal Identification Number tied to a Texas address.
*Have a product/service manufactured, produced, processed or value-added in Texas
*ESBCs must be either “new to export” or “market expansion” – that is, the event/activity must help them to enter a new market or segment, where they do not already have significant export sales STEP clients that have a current 2018/2019, open grant may not receive a new award during this cycle.

What STEP Offers:

Export Stipends

* U.S. Commercial Services Programs

(Gold Key Matching, International Partner Search, Initial Market Check, International Company Profile or Business Facilitation Service)

* Discover Global Market events

* Compliance testing for an existing product for entry into a new export market (reimbursement capped at $3,000)

* Export counseling/training programs
* Fees for shipping sample products to an export market/trade show (reimbursement capped at $2,000)
* Non-state coordinated participation in trade missions, trade shows or sales trips

(eligible costs include registration fees, booth space, foreign language translation, airfare , ground transportation and lodging expenses)

* Subscription to Export Research tool (reimbursement capped at $1,000)
* Website translation, search engine optimization, localization services (reimbursement capped at $3,000)
* Domestics IBP (International Buyer Program) shows, or shows that have a significant amount of foreign participation.