Colorado State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) Grant
Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) — Global Business Development Division
Up to $10,000 per year
Up to $10,000/year reimbursement grant to help Colorado small businesses enter or grow export markets.
The State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) Grant helps Colorado small businesses expand internationally by funding export-development activities. Administered by OEDIT’s Global Business Development division with U.S. Small Business Administration funding, the program reimburses eligible costs such as trade-show participation, international business travel, market research, compliance testing, marketing localization, and export consulting. Colorado companies can receive up to $10,000 per year and must apply four to six weeks before the planned activity.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- State
- Amount range
- $0 – $10,000
- Realistic amount
- Up to $10,000 per year (reimbursement of pre-approved export expenses)
- Deadline
- Applications accepted on a rolling basis during the 2025–2026 grant period; apply 4–6 weeks before the planned export activity
- Status
- active
- States
- CO
Who qualifies
- Registered with the Colorado Secretary of State and in Good Standing
- Headquarters in Colorado or at least 50% of employees based in Colorado
- U.S. company seeking to export goods or services of U.S. origin or with at least 51% U.S. content
- At least one year old as of the date STEP funds would begin to be used
- New to export or expanding to a new export market
- Has a commercialized product or service to export and is export-ready
- Meets the applicable SBA small-business size standard
Who is not eligible
- Companies not registered in Colorado or without a Colorado employee base
- Businesses without a commercialized, export-ready product or service
- Third-party consultants, agents, or representatives applying on behalf of a client
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Airfare, ground transportation, parking, baggage fees, meals and lodging (per diem)
- Trade-show registration fees and booth space
- Trade mission fees
- Export consultancy services and international IP protection
- Currency exchange fees, visas, travel insurance, and sample-product shipping
- Compliance testing for entry into an export market
- Translation, localization, SEO, e-commerce fees, and export-marketing design
Ineligible expenses
- Equipment or salaries of personnel needed for operations outside the approved export project
- Expenses incurred before grant approval
- Costs not directly tied to the approved export-development activity
How to apply
-
1
Confirm export readiness
Review the eligibility criteria and ensure the company has a commercialized product/service and a defined export market or trade-show plan.
~1 hrs
-
2
Prepare budget and SBA forms
Draft a detailed project budget and complete the SBA Certification Regarding Debarment and SBA Self-Representation forms.
~2 hrs
-
3
Submit online application at least 4–6 weeks before activity
Apply through the OEDIT portal with company information, export project details, budget, and required SBA forms.
~2 hrs
-
4
Await review and commitment letter
OEDIT typically reviews applications in three to four weeks and issues a commitment letter outlining approved activities and expenses.
-
5
Complete activity and request reimbursement
After the approved export activity, submit receipts and a summary within 30 days to receive reimbursement.
~1.5 hrs
Apply 4–6 weeks before the trade show or trip and include a vetted export-market rationale with a line-item budget; strongest applications demonstrate prior export planning.
Deadline & timing
No fixed annual deadline. OEDIT reviews applications and reimburses after the approved export activity is completed.
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Required documents
- Completed online application
- SBA Certification Regarding Debarment Form
- SBA Self-Representation Form
- Detailed project budget
- Proof of Colorado registration and Good Standing
- Evidence of export-readiness and target market
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Researched and verified 2026-08-24 against the official program source. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.