STEP Grant Tennessee

Any qualifying export-ready small business headquartered Tennessee can apply. A qualifying business must meet the SBA definition of a small business, be registered to do business in the state of Tennessee, have been in business for no less than one year, be operating profitably, have at least 51% U.S. content in their product or service, and have not been debarred from doing business with the federal government. The small business must also have a written strategic export marketing plan.

Ineligible small businesses are those that do not have a product or service to export, are acting as intermediaries for other companies and/or are recruiting foreign investment. Companies that are already receiving federal funding from another institution for a particular event are also excluded from receiving additional funding through STEP.

An export-ready business is one that has the capacity, resources and management to deliver a marketable service on a global scale at a competitive price. Such a business must have:

• A written export plan with clear and achievable export objectives.
• Clearly identified and researched international target markets.
• A demonstrated understanding of its value proposition and competitive environment in targeted export markets.
• A realistic idea of what exporting entails and a timetable for results.
• Adequate management and staff expertise with an understanding of what is required to succeed in the international marketplace.
• An understanding of international marketing requirements, including required adaptations along with cultural and language needs.
• A market entry strategy specifying how and to whom to sell to in the export markets.
• An understanding of destination country regulations, export and import documentation, customs requirements and procedures.
• Completion of the Export Readiness Assessment. This assessment involves answering questions to determine a final score. This score is then used to help guide businesses through the necessary steps to become fully export ready.

No, the approval of a company’s STEP Application does not guarantee reimbursement. Companies must be approved into the program and fulfill all requirements in order to receive reimbursement. Among these requirements is the submission of a STEP Reimbursement Request and the Results Form after each approved activity, and adherence to the Fly America Act (when applicable). Companies who are found to not be in good standing with SBA will also be disqualified from reimbursement.

Applications should be submitted in advance of undertaking any planned eligible expense for which you would like to seek reimbursement.

The STEP Tennessee Program can reimburse for the following eligible expenses:

• International trade show registration/exhibit booth fees

• Development of marketing media targeting foreign buyers

• Website translation into a foreign language, search engine optimization, and localization services
• U.S. Department of Commerce fee services
• U.S. Commercial Service subscription services, including:
  • Gold Key Services provides pre-screened appointments with potential overseas agents, distributors, sales representatives, business partners and other local in-country entities
  • Matchmaking Services includes an International Partner Search and/or International Partner Search with Virtual Introductions
  • Single Company Promotion promotes your company in a specific market and may consist of targeted direct mail or email campaigns
  • Market intelligence includes Customized Market Research

• Travel expenses
• Passport or visa fees
• Immunizations
• Expenses related to entertaining current or prospective clients or government officials
• Cellphone charges.
• New product development
• Video, television and radio production
• Efforts to create or augment marketing and advertising campaigns to draw international visitors to the State
• Cost for printing marketing materials
• Cost for development and/or design of a website for a company
• Cost for enhancement and/or development of an existing company’s product incidental expenses associated with individual’s attendance at meetings, conferences and symposiums

It typically takes us two to three weeks to review applications. A panel reviews all applications. Companies that win the grant will receive a detailed commitment letter listing the approved export development project or activities, timing, and breakout of approved expenses in U.S. dollars. Even if your company qualifies for the grant, we may award less funding than you request based on the strength of applications and the number of applicants.

You will submit for reimbursement once you complete the approved expenses. If expenses are not submitted in 30 days, you may not receive funds. Reimbursement will be paid in full unless the company does not:

• fulfill its obligations for participating in the program
• submit required receipts and summaries