Grants and Financial Assistance

International business is not an inexpensive proposition.  To be successful, a business must be sure it has sufficient capital and treat international expenses as an investment in future business opportunities.

The U.S. Federal Government has assembled the Trade Finance Guide: A Quick Reference for U.S. Exporters to help U.S. companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), learn the fundamentals of trade finance to turn their export opportunities into actual sales and to achieve the ultimate goal: to get paid for their export sales

In order to encourage small and new exporters to get first-hand experience of international markets, the Wisconsin Department of Commerce offers a Trade Show Grant of up to $5000 to cover many of the costs of exhibiting at international trade events.  The Center for International Business Education Research at the UW-Madison also offers a Trade Show Travel Grant to cover other expenses associated with trade shows in the hi-tech and biotech sectors.

The U.S. Small Business Administration has an Export Working Capital and an Export Express program to assist firms that fit the federal government definition of small business.

The Ex-Im Bank offers capital guarantees, export credit insurance and foreign buyer financing programs for U.S. exporters.

Exporters of agriculture-related products can apply for funding from the USDA Emerging Markets Program, USDA Foreign Market Development Program, and the Food Export Association of the Midwest USA.

The United States Trade and Development Agency funds foreign aid projects around the world, with an emphasis on transportation, energy and power, water and the environment, health care, mining and natural resources, telecommunications, and information technology .  Many can lead to purchases of U.S. equipment and supplies.

The Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP) is a competitive program of the U.S. Department of Commerce that provides federal matching grants to non-profit export multipliers such as states, trade associations, chambers of commerce, world trade centers and other non-profit industry groups that are particularly effective in reaching small- and medium-size enterprises.

The Overseas Private Investment Corporation provides financing and insurance for investment projects in new and emerging markets.

Information on other non-international-specific financial assistance programs offered by the Wisconsin Department of Commerce can be found by clicking here.