California STEP — State Trade Expansion Program
Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz)
Up to $10,000
CA export reimbursement grant
California's implementation of the SBA-funded State Trade Expansion Program (STEP), administered by GO-Biz through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. STEP helps California small businesses begin or grow exporting through two mechanisms: subsidized participation in international trade events and Export Vouchers that reimburse pre-approved export-promotion expenses. Awards reimburse up to 75% of eligible expenses, capped at $10,000 per federal fiscal year, on a competitive per-round basis. The program has run for over a decade and re-cycles annually (Year 11 ran through FY2025) as long as SBA renews California's STEP award.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- State
- Amount range
- $500 – $10,000
- Realistic amount
- Most awardees claim a single trade show or a bundle of voucher-eligible activities, landing …
- Deadline
- Round-based within each federal fiscal year (Oct 1 – Sep 30). Year 11 ran multiple rounds; Round 4 closed August 29, 2025 for a September 2025 performance window. New rounds open as funding and the federal fiscal year reset.
- Status
- active
- States
- California
- Payment model
- reimbursement
Who qualifies
- For-profit business organized or incorporated in the United States
- Significant business operations in California and registered/in good standing to do business in the state
- Meets the SBA small business size standard (13 CFR Part 121) for its industry
- In business for at least one full year
- Exporting goods or services of U.S. origin or that have at least 51% U.S. content
- Financial capacity to pay export expenses upfront (reimbursement follows)
Hard requirements
- Must be an incorporated business
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- International trade show / trade mission participation fees and booth costs
- Related international business travel (subject to federal rules)
- Export-focused market research and country/market entry studies
- Translation and localization of marketing materials and websites
- Export compliance and certification costs
- Design of international marketing media
Ineligible expenses
- Domestic (non-export) marketing or travel
- Activities not pre-approved by GO-Biz
- Costs incurred before award approval
- General operating expenses unrelated to export promotion
How to apply
-
1
Confirm eligibility and pick a track
Verify SBA small-business size standard, one-year operating history, California operations, and 51% U.S. content. Decide between a subsidized STEP Event and/or an Export Voucher for specific pre-approved activities.
~2 hrs
-
2
Apply on the STEP portal during an open round
Register at step.business.ca.gov and submit the application for the current round, listing the export activities and estimated eligible expenses you intend to claim.
~3 hrs
-
3
Receive approval before incurring expenses
Wait for GO-Biz approval — only pre-approved activities are reimbursable. Do not incur claimed expenses until your award is confirmed.
~1 hrs
-
4
Complete activities and submit for reimbursement
Carry out the approved export activities within the performance period, then submit receipts and documentation. Reimbursement of up to 75% (capped at $10,000/FY) arrives up to 60 days later.
~3 hrs
Get your activity pre-approved BEFORE you book anything — STEP reimburses only pre-approved expenses, and a trade show ticket bought before your award is confirmed is unrecoverable. Pair STEP with a free SBDC export advisor to assemble a clean voucher package.
Deadline & timing
GO-Biz runs several competitive rounds per fiscal year, each with its own deadline and short performance period. Between SBA award renewals there can be a gap; monitor step.business.ca.gov for the next round.
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Last reviewed 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.