Register - California STEP

The ICEP (Individual Company Export Promotion) service has closed the application window as of 12:00am January 15, 2021. Any application received after this time will not be processed. We anticipated opening the applications again in March of 2021.

SBA's Eligibility Guidelines
- 1. Comply with SBA size standards
- 2. A for-profit enterprise
- 3. A business organized, registered and operating in the United States in good standing
- 4. Has access to sufficient resources to bear the costs associated with trade, including the costs of packing, shipping, freight forwarding, and customs brokers
- 5. Is exporting goods or services of U.S. Origin or that have atleast 51% or more U.S. content.
California STEP Registration (2020-2021)
Name*
Please list the name of the primary contact; a company name rather than a person's name will result in an incomplete registration and will not be considered for review.
First Last
Title*
Company Name*
Email*
Enter Email Confirm Email
Address*
Street Address City State
County*
ZIP Code*
Telephone*
Mobile
Website
Date your company was established*
Please note the California STEP program requires that you have been in business for not less than the 1-year period ending on the date on which assistance is provided under a STEP grant. If you do not meet this requirement, please do not proceed as you will be ineligible per SBA guidelines.
Number of employees*
Please note the California STEP program requires that you meet the SBA definition of a small business (please reference the SBA size standards). If you are not a small business, please do not proceed as you will be ineligible per SBA guidelines.
Please provide a description of your products and services:*
Please input your company's 6-digit NAICS code.*
Your six digit NAICS code (North American Industrial Classification Code) can be found on the NAICS website, by selecting the two digit code closest to your industry: NAICS Codes
Please enter a number from 111110 to 812990.
Is your business Women Owned?*
“Woman Owned” means the person who owns or controls the business is a woman.
Is your business Minority Owned?*
“Minority Owned” means the person who owns or controls the business is: (a) Of Black or African American descent; (b) Of Latino, Mexican or Hispanic American descent; (c) Of Native American (American Indian, Eskimo, Aleut or Native Hawaiian) descent; (d) Of Asian Pacific American [An individual with origins from Burma, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Japan, China, Taiwan, Laos, Cambodia (Kampuchea), Vietnam, Korea, the Philippines, U. S. Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (Republic of Palau). Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Samoa, Macao, Hong Kong, Fiji, Tonga, Kiribati, Tuvalu, or Nauru] descent; or (e) Of Subcontinent Asian American (An Individual with origins from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, the Maldives Islands or Nepal) descent.
Is your business Veteran Owned?*
“Veteran Owned” means the person who owns or controls the business is: Either a Veteran (someone who has served 180 days of active duty in the military, National Guard, or Active Duty Reservist), or a Service Disabled Veteran (in which case you must have a service-connected disability that has been determined by the Department of Veterans Affairs or Department of Defense).
Are you currently exporting?*
If yes, to which countries?
Please list all that apply.
Target Customer(s)*
Please share who are your primary customers (end users).
What percentage of your total sales are exports?*
Please identify the most recent year.
What is the total value of your company's exports?*
Please use your most recent year.
I am most interested in:*
If interested in a California STEP Trade Fair, Trade Mission, or other export promotion activity please select from the list below:*
***IF YOU SELECTED ICEP ****To be eligible for the Individual Company Export Promotion (ICEP), you must submit an executive summary.*
Please download the ICEP Questionnaire, be sure to write your company name and complete all sections, then upload it below.
Accepted file types: pdf, jpg, png, docx, doc, xlsx, xls.
Has your company previously participated in the ICEP program?*
- Yes
- No
Export Verification Form*
In order to be eligible for additional ICEP funding, you must complete and submit the Export Verification Form.
Accepted file types: pdf, jpg, png, docx, doc, xlsx, xls.
Which foreign markets are you interested in?*
Please list all that apply.
What current challenges do you face in exporting?
California STEP Participation Agreement
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT*
- By checking this box, if your firm is selected to participate in a California STEP activity, You agree to:
- 1) undertake efforts independent of the services offered to promote our company and products to potential export customers and actively pursue strategic partners that will help promote our products and services in the target markets;
- 2) conduct "due diligence" prior to and/or in conjunction with the chosen California STEP activity(s), including researching market channels, identifying potential customers, establishing on-site meetings, and promoting our firm's participation in the event through electronic, print and other media and
- 3) respond to surveys that are conducted by California STEP to assess the quality and effectiveness of the services, report export outcomes associated with California STEP activity(s) and services, and provide the contact information of a designated person in your firm to respond to such surveys.
- I Agree
How did you find out about California STEP?*
SBA Information Opt-in*
The US Small Business Administration (SBA) would like to give eligible small business concerns the opportunity to expand your knowledge and resources of other programs that are offered by the agency. Please check the appropriate box if you would like for your company’s name and contact information to be shared with other programs offered by SBA. Your choice to participate or not, will not change the status of your participation with STEP. SBA’s aim is strictly to share information about other opportunities with you.
SBA Eligible Small Business Concern
Please download the SBA Eligible Small Business Concern Document, sign it and then upload it here. All California STEP clients must meet the SBA small business size standards and sign this form to participate in the California STEP program.
SBA Eligible Small Business Concern Document*
Please be certain to sign this form in blue ink. A "wet" signature is required to complete registration; this is required by SBA. Uploading the SBA Eligible Small Business Concern Document without a signature will result in your registration being discarded. Thank you for your understanding and working with us to ensure compliance.
Accepted file types: pdf, jpg, png, doc, docx, tif.
Funded in part through a grant with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

SBA's Eligibility Guidelines

California STEP Registration (2020-2021)

California STEP Participation Agreement

SBA Eligible Small Business Concern