Colorado Advanced Industries Export Grant
Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT)
Up to $15,000
Export cost reimbursement for CO tech companies
The Colorado Advanced Industries Export Grant reimburses small- and mid-sized companies in Colorado's seven advanced industries (aerospace, bioscience, electronics, energy, advanced manufacturing, infrastructure engineering, and technology) for the cost of entering or expanding in international markets. Awards cover up to 50% of approved export costs, up to $15,000 per application, for expenses like trade shows, translation, IP protection, and international marketing materials.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- State
- Amount range
- $15,000
- Realistic amount
- Most awards range from $3,000–$12,000, reflecting 50% reimbursement on trade show participation, translation, or interna…
- Deadline
- Rolling — current cycle open July 1, 2026 through August 27, 2026. Prior cycle approved on May 21, 2026.
- Status
- between-intakes
- States
- CO
- Payment model
- reimbursement
Who qualifies
- Business must be headquartered in Colorado OR have at least 50% of employees based in Colorado
- Must manufacture a product or provide a service in one of Colorado's seven advanced industries: aerospace, bioscience, electronics, energy and natural resources, advanced manufacturing, infrastructure engineering, or technology/information
- Must employ fewer than 200 employees globally
- Must have at least two years of domestic U.S. sales
- Must be entering a new export market or expanding to a market not previously served
- Must be registered with the Colorado Secretary of State and in good standing
- Must have a commercialized product or service ready to export
Hard requirements
- Must be incorporated
- Max 200 employees
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Trade show booth fees and participation costs in international markets
- Translation services for contracts or official documents
- Intellectual property protection costs in foreign markets (patent filings, trademark registration)
- Due diligence or credit reviews on potential foreign buyers or distributors
- Production and design of international marketing materials
- International market research and feasibility studies
Ineligible expenses
- Domestic trade show participation
- General advertising not specific to an international market
- Employee salaries or travel expenses
- Product development or R&D costs
- Expenses incurred before grant approval
How to apply
-
1
Confirm advanced industry and export-readiness
Verify your NAICS code maps to one of Colorado's 7 advanced industries. Confirm the export market is new or not previously served. Review OEDIT's advanced industry definitions at choosecolorado.com/doing-business/advanced-industries/.
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2
Identify qualifying expenses and gather quotes
Compile quotes for trade show booth fees, translation contracts, IP protection filings, marketing production costs, or due diligence services. Expenses must be incurred in connection with entering or expanding a specific international market.
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3
Submit application during open window
Complete the online application at oedit.colorado.gov during the grant cycle. Typically opens July 1 and closes late August. Include business registration, employee count certification, market identification, and expense documentation.
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4
OEDIT review and EDC approval
Applications are reviewed by OEDIT's Global Business Development team and approved by the Economic Development Commission (EDC), which meets monthly/quarterly.
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5
Complete export activities and submit reimbursement
Approved applicants carry out the approved export activities and submit proof of completion and invoices for reimbursement.
The 50% match requirement is easily satisfied by the export activity costs you're already paying. The real limit is the $15K cap — stack with a federal STEP grant (SBA) to cover more of the same trip or activity.
Deadline & timing
OEDIT runs annual Advanced Industries Export Grant cycles typically closing in late August. Most recent cycle approved May 21, 2026; next application window opens July 1, 2026 with an August 27, 2026 deadline. Contact OEDIT's Global Business Development division for current cycle status.
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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.