State Trade and Export Promotion Program

The Minnesota Trade Office, a division of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, administers the State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) Export Assistance for Small Business program. This program is funded by the Minnesota legislature through Minn. Stat. § 116J.979 to help eligible small businesses in Minnesota start exporting or expand their export activities. The goal is to provide financial and technical support to Minnesota-based small businesses with a demonstrated interest in foreign markets, assisting them in reaching new customers and increasing export sales. The program emphasizes activities outside the company’s normal operations and aims to generate measurable export outcomes. The program offers approximately $300,000 in available funding for the program year ending June 30, 2026. Funds are awarded on a competitive, rolling basis as applications are approved and may be fully allocated before the end of the program year. STEP funding requires a 50 percent match from recipients for most export development activities, with a reimbursement cap of $7,500 per company per program year. Export training activities are reimbursed up to $500 per company without a match requirement. Only expenses listed in the approved budget and pre-approved by the MTO are eligible for reimbursement, and activities cannot begin before a fully executed grant contract is in place. Allowable reimbursable activities include export training that results in a strategic export plan, participation in foreign trade missions or market sales trips, export trade show exhibits, services from the U.S. Commercial Service such as Gold Key, design and printing of international marketing materials, translation of websites into foreign languages, and product testing or certification required for entry into foreign markets. Certain caps apply to specific activities, such as $4,000 for shipping sample products, $6,000 for compliance testing, and $2,000 for export research tool subscriptions. All related services for marketing materials, translations, and certification must be provided by U.S.-based providers. Unallowable costs include passport or visa fees, local travel near the departure location, entertainment, product giveaways, new product development, and personal travel upgrades. Eligible applicants must meet the Small Business Administration’s size standards, have been in operation for at least one year, generate revenue from U.S. operations, and not be debarred or suspended from federal programs. Businesses must have Minnesota operations that produce more than 50 percent of the value of the product or service being exported and have completed market research to confirm product viability in the target market. Applicants must agree to provide outcome data, comply with federal and state regulations, and cooperate with program evaluations. Exceptions apply for those applying only for export training reimbursement, where an export plan is not required beforehand. Applications are accepted electronically and reviewed on a rolling basis. Early application is encouraged, especially for travel-related activities, which should be submitted at least two months prior to travel. Required application components include eligibility and debarment certifications, a completed STEP application form, an Export Development Activity Plan (unless applying for training only), a planned budget, and a travel plan if applicable. A financial assistance demographic survey must also be completed. The review process evaluates project design, export potential, company commitment, budget justification, preference for new markets and new exporters, and whether the applicant is a traditionally underserved business. Once awarded, the applicant will receive instructions for completing the grant contract, which must be signed and returned within two weeks. Failure to return the signed contract in time will result in rescission of the award. Reimbursements are made after the funded activities are completed and required outcome reports are submitted. Follow-up evaluations may be required for up to a year after the activity concludes. For questions or eligibility verification, applicants should contact Jackie Geiger at jackie.geiger@state.mn.us or 651-259-7485.

Apply early, especially for travel; submit travel-related applications at least two months before travel; ensure all expenses are pre-approved and included in budget