Michigan State Trade Expansion Program (MI-STEP)
Funds Michigan small businesses pursuing export growth through pre-approved trade reimbursements.
Eligibility · Michigan, United States
The International Trade team offers Michigan's State Trade Expansion Program (MI-STEP), an export-assistance grant for eligible Michigan small businesses. MI-STEP sits under the federal State Trade Expansion Program model and helps companies access global markets and buyers while increasing Michigan exports. Assistance is capped at $15,000 per fiscal year and offsets 75 percent of pre-approved expenses.
Eligibility is for Michigan companies that meet MI-STEP criteria, including small-business status, at least $100,000 in annual revenue, and goods or services of U.S. origin or at least 51 percent U.S. content. The program is activity-based rather than sector-specific: eligible uses include trade missions, trade shows, foreign sales trips, website translation or localization, international marketing media, compliance testing, international certification, and sample shipping.
Applications are accepted annually from November 1 through September 15 while funding remains available. Applicants must submit before the activity starts and at least three business days before travel or an eligible non-travel activity. The captured application-process document routes companies through the MEDC Project Portal.
Export marketing and market-entry activities for eligible Michigan small businesses, including trade missions, trade shows, foreign sales trips, website localization, international marketing media, compliance testing, international certifications, and sample-product shipping.
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