The DC STEP Program enables qualified export-ready businesses to receive reimbursements for eligible international marketing costs. The program is funded in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) grant, a three-year pilot program launched by the 2010 President's Small Business Jobs Act.

Business eligibility for STEP funding

To be eligible for STEP funding through ExportDC, your business must:

• Have a DC basic or professional business license,  DC business registration, and principal office in the District of Columbia for at least six months prior to STEP Program approval;
• Be in good standing with the DC Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) and submit a Clean Hands Self-Certification Form;
• Have an exportable product or service at the time of application;
• Meet the SBA small business size standard(s) for the firm's industry classification;
• Have been in business for at least one year preceding the date of STEP grant assistance;
• Operating profitably, based on operations in the United States from the firm's most recently completed fiscal year;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the costs associated with exporting and doing business with foreign purchasers;
• Have in effect a strategic plan for exporting;
• Have export products that contain a majority of U.S. content (51 percent or higher);
• Be currently exporting, and/or have the capacity to export to new international markets; and

Allowable STEP expenditures                                                                  

Allowable step expenditures include:

• Participation in Small Business Trade Missions and International Conferences;
• International or domestic trade show participation/booth fees;
• Export Training;
• U.S. Department of Commerce trade and market assessment services, including International Partner Search, Gold Key Service, and International Company Profiles;
• Website/material translation services; and,
• We encourage applicants to propose other export marketing-related activities that they believe will grow their export potential.

Additional information on ExportDC's STEP Grant Funding

Please find our STEP grant documents (phase one) below or contact us at [email protected].