Grants for Louisiana Food and Beverage Entrepreneurs is sponsored by State of Louisiana. Louisiana offers annual grant opportunities specifically tailored to support food and beverage entrepreneurs, particularly those from underserved communities.

STEP Grant - Small Business Programs | LED The STEP (State Trade Expansion Program) Grant is designed to help Louisiana small businesses generate new export revenue and create or retain jobs resulting from sales to foreign markets.

Under this program, eligible small businesses can be reimbursed for expenses associated with participation in virtual and in-person trade shows, trade missions and export training workshops, as well as other eligible expenses including shipping sample products, compliance testing, fee services offered by the U.S. Commercial Service, internationally-focused website development and design of marketing media, and other activities and expenses as determined by SBA.

The program offers a 90% reimbursement rate on eligible expenses, with a maximum benefit per company of $10,000.

To be eligible, companies must: Meet the SBA definition of a small business Have been in business for at least one year Be a for-profit business based in Louisiana Be new to export or seeking new export markets Have a plan for exporting (export strategy) Understand costs associated with exporting Be an export-ready U.S. company seeking to export goods or services of U.S. origin OR have at least 51% U.S. content Not be debarred from doing business with the Federal Government Eligible expenses include: Trade show exhibition/booth fees (virtual and in-person) Trade mission fees (virtual and in-person) Export training courses & workshops (virtual and in-person) U.S. Department of Commerce fee services Travel-related expenses such as airfare, lodging and meals Marketing materials and media to promote exports E-commerce and website fees (internationally-focused) Cost of compliance testing Export credit insurance fees Other approved activities and expenses Apply for the STEP Grant Program on FastLane .

Review eligibility criteria and contact LED with any questions. Apply for the STEP Grant Program on FastLane . LED will review your application and inform you of acceptance into the program.

Review eligibility criteria and contact LED with any questions. Apply for the STEP Grant Program on FastLane . LED will review your application and inform you of acceptance into the program.

Who can apply for a STEP Grant? Any qualifying export-ready small business headquartered in Louisiana can apply.

A qualifying business must meet the SBA definition of a small business, be registered to do business in the state of Louisiana, have been in business for no less than one year, be operating profitably, have at least 51% U.S. content in their product or service, and have not been debarred from doing business with the federal government. For further information about qualifying as a small business, please see the SBA’s definition .

Who does not qualify for a STEP Grant? Ineligible small businesses are those that do not have a product or service to export, are acting as intermediaries for other companies and/or are recruiting foreign investment. Companies that are already receiving federal funding from another institution for a particular event are also excluded from receiving additional funding through STEP.

Also, companies who receive STEP funding for their travel to a trade show must be registered exhibitors at that show, and STEP travelers must be company employees . Likewise, companies who receive STEP funding for their travel to a trade mission must be a registered participant of that mission. Does completing my STEP application guarantee my company’s reimbursement?

No, the approval of a company’s STEP Application does not guarantee reimbursement. Companies must be approved into the program and fulfill all requirements in order to receive reimbursement. Among these requirements is the submission of a STEP Results Form after each approved activity, and adherence to the Fly America Act (when applicable).

Companies who are found to not be in good standing with SBA will also be disqualified from reimbursement. When should I submit an application? Applications should be submitted in advance of undertaking any planned eligible expense for which you would like to seek reimbursement.

How do I complete the section of the application titled Planned Use of STEP Funds? Small businesses must complete the application with detailed responses to the categories listed. For example, if a company selects Travel and participation in domestic or overseas trade shows and missions, then the trade show or trade mission name and date must be provided.

What does Louisiana STEP reimburse for?

The Louisiana STEP Program can reimburse for the following eligible expenses: Registration/Exhibit booth fees Ground transportation fees Coach-class airfare that adheres to the Fly America Act Lodging up to federal/state per diem rate Meals up to federal/state per diem rate U.S. Department of Commerce fee services Other approved activities and expenses Companies approved for STEP travel funds must adhere to the US Federal Foreign Per Diem Rates for international lodging and meals expenses and State of Louisiana Domestic Per Diem Rates for domestic lodging and meals expenses to receive reimbursement.

Companies approved for STEP travel funds must reserve coach-class airfare and adhere to the Fly America Act to receive reimbursement. Louisiana STEP Program will NOT reimburse for passport or visa fees, immunizations, expenses related to entertaining current or prospective clients or government officials, new product development, cellphone charges.

Federal Funding Disclosure In accordance with Section 632 of Public Law 117-328, Title VI, Division E. State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) Federal Share: 65% – $325,000 Non-Federal Share: 35% – $175,000 Total Program Cost: $500,000 This program is funded in part through a grant with the U.S. Small Business Administration. What can we help you find?