California STEP Grant
California STEP Grant supports California small businesses through export events, training, and promotion activities to help them enter or expand international markets and increase exports of U.S.-made goods and services.
Funder: California Governor's Office of Business & Economic Development (GO-Biz)
Due Dates: December 11, 2026 (Export Voucher Round 1) | March 12, 2027 (Round 2) | April 30, 2027 (Round 3)
Funding Amounts: Export Vouchers reimburse $500–$10,000, up to 75% of approved costs; $10,000 cap per federal fiscal year
Summary: California STEP helps small businesses develop or expand exports of U.S.-made products and services.
Key Information: Export Voucher activities must be approved before they take place, and businesses pay costs before reimbursement.
Description
The California State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) is administered by GO-Biz International Affairs and Trade and funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. It helps eligible California small businesses develop, initiate, or expand international business opportunities. Its goals are to increase both the number of qualified small-business exporters and the volume of goods and services they export.
STEP offers participation in export-focused trade events, export training, and Export Vouchers for approved export promotion expenses. Events can include international trade shows, trade missions, and California pavilions; training addresses export knowledge for particular industries or markets. STEP does not fund ordinary operating expenses or activities primarily benefiting the domestic market.
