MI-STEP helps companies increase their reach in international markets by providing financial assistance to offset the cost of eligible export activities. On Sept. 22, 2020, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) presented Michigan with the top STEP award in the nation of $1.35 million for fiscal year 2021. With additional state match funding, total funds available are $1.85 million.

Eligibility
Qualifying companies are eligible for up to $15,000 to offset 75 percent of pre-approved expenses per fiscal year. Companies must meet the eligibility criteria to qualify for funds and seek to export goods or services that have at least 51 percent U.S. content. All activities must take place from Oct. 1, 2020 through Sept. 30, 2021.

Reimbursable Export Activities
Export activities that are reimbursable through the program include:

• Participation in foreign trade missions
• U.S. Department of Commerce services
• International website design, development, and translation; search engine optimization and localization maintenance and monitoring; e-commerce fees including hosting and maintenance
• Design and translation of international marketing media, including social media and digital ad placements
• International trade show participation, including virtual
• Foreign sales trips, including virtual
• U.S.-based international trade show participation, including virtual
• Export training workshops
• Reverse foreign buyer missions (meeting space/audio visual)
• Export compliance testing
• Sample product shipping

MI-STEP Resources

• MI-STEP Eligibility Guidelines
• Application Process Guide
• Sample Application
• Reimbursement Process Guide

Have questions? Need access to the Project Portal to apply for STEP? Send your full name, job title, and email address to your International Trade Manager to request a username and password.

As an upgrade from the existing MEDC Client Portal, the Project Portal remains a one-stop-shop for submitting MI-STEP applications and reimbursements with a new interface that’s more user-friendly than ever!

The Project Portal is new for MEDC’s fiscal year 2021 beginning October 1, 2020. Companies can access the Project Portal here or by logging into the old Client Portal which automatically redirects to the Project Portal. Login credentials for the Project Portal are the same as existing credentials for the Client Portal.

Step-by-step instruction guides are available online for the Application Process and Reimbursement Process. The Project Portal was designed to be easier than ever to navigate and includes new, helpful features such as drag-and-drop for uploading files and a shorter, six step process to submit reimbursement requests.

For questions or help completing a task, please contact your International Trade Manager.