Funding

Funding

MITC provides financial support to Maine companies for activities to improve global competitiveness and develop international markets with funding available through a grant from the US Small Business Administration (SBA).

Is Your Business SBA-Eligible for Funds?
“As a new-to-export company, Seascale has certainly benefited from the services provided by MITC, including our recent participation in the New to Export Training. Held over the course of 4 weeks, the training was a great primer on the costs, mechanics, and sales/marketing strategies for bringing our commercial fishing focused aquaculture products into the Canadian market. It was a super informative course that provided all the tools to assess our export readiness and to begin the process of entering new international markets. We look forward to working with the trade specialists at MITC to continue bringing our products beyond the borders of the US.”
Jonathan Steuber, Co-Founder/COO, Seascale(Thomaston, ME)
"The insights gained really assisted our business strategy and decisions that would have direct impact to our TargetTack® brand both in Canada and also in the US. The connections and tangible knowledge in helping small business tackle a number of export business challenges also stood out to us through this short journey. We have accomplished more through this STEP partnership activity in just over 8 months that might have taken 5 plus years."
Ben Berry, Founder & President, TargetTack LLC(Brunswick, ME)
“MITC showed terrific flexibility and patience when federal programs were affected by recent funding cuts, working with us to adjust our award funding accordingly. We greatly appreciate them!”
Seth Berry, VP Business Development, Kennebec River Biosciences(Richmond, ME)
“International markets present unique challenges and significant costs. We can only praise MITC for the initiative to support Maine-based companies enlarge their economic footprint in international markets. With our participation in the WSSFN Intermin Meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentina, we were able to connect with local neurosurgeons and commercial partners to continue to provide much needed access to high-end technology and enable patient care.”
Cosmin Serban, CEO, FHC, Inc.(Bowdoin, ME)
“MITC has been a great partner in helping us realize our export potential. A little help goes a long way when one is at the beginning stages of their export journey.”
Mitchell Lench, CEO, Ocean's Balance(Biddeford, ME)
“The MITC award we received allowed us to attend the recent NetHope Global Summit in Amsterdam. The relationships we build at this conference are invaluable and allow us to continue serving international organizations in a shared commitment to humanitarian goals. The support from MITC helps us develop our current workforce and hopefully expand our staff in the years ahead.”
Kyle Underwood, Vendor Relations Manager, Planson International Corporation(New Gloucester, ME)
“Updating our digital assets through this project has been invaluable in building an international presence for our brand. The high-quality product photography and copy provide a lasting resource we can use across multiple platforms to enhance visibility and connect with new markets. Additionally, experimenting with paid ads has offered critical insights into the challenges of generating traffic to our storefronts and highlighted the need to explore alternative distribution channels…This project has been a vital learning experience that will guide our strategy as we continue to grow internationally.”
Bethany Weisberger, Owner, Gneiss Spice(Bethel, ME)
“Excellent resource to go to for small companies new to exporting. The staff knowledge of the process is priceless when needing questions answered.”
Kathy Belcher, Director of Marketing, ImmuCell Corporation(Portland, ME)
“If it weren't for MITC, we would have limited our marketing efforts to the United States. This grant allowed us to experiment in four new countries, effectively opening our first international growth channels.”
Anna Ford, CEO, Bookclubz, Inc. dba Bookclubs(Camden, ME)
“Thank you MITC for making possible an essential tool for our growth that we would otherwise not have been able to afford on our own.”
Cem Giray, CEO, Salmonics LLC(Brunswick, ME)
“The STEP program was instrumental in allowing us to take the first step in exploring our international marketing. We now have the capability to ship and sell online to international customers and have a beta advertising pilot completed, which opens up many possibilities for future advertising campaigns.”
Rebecca McKinnell, Owner, Wildwood Oyster Co.(Portland, ME)
“NaviTour has experienced transformative growth thanks to the support from Maine International Trade Center's STEP Financial Assistance Award. The program not only expanded our reach into international markets but also strengthened our ability to showcase the unique allure of Maine and New England, making it an indispensable part of our marketing strategy.”
Shay Bellas, CEO, NaviTour(South Portland, ME)
“MITC’s continued support has been a huge benefit to our internal business growth targets. Our brand is rising in European markets thanks to MITC assistance.”
Jonathan Wilcox, Marketing Manager, Montalvo Corporation(Gorham, ME)
“The resources provided by MITC will enable our business to reach farther than we anticipated.”
Lauren Henkin, CEO, The Humane Space(Rockland, ME)
“MITC's STEP grant support over the years has been a critical component of our development in a growing global industry, helping Maine to stay at the forefront of biotech and a robust and healthy aquaculture economy.”
William Keleher, President/CEO, Kennebec River Biosciences (Richmond, ME)
“Our STEP funding allowed us to develop an optimized website that was specific to our foreign countries of interest. Through the use of the specific IP addresses, we are now able to track advertising specific to the needs of the foreign customers. This will change our ability to not only understand and advertise to our direct markets, but to sell to them as well. We are grateful for the continued support from MITC…They consistently help us understand how to leverage today’s challenges into tomorrow’s success!”
Tom Fox, Founder/Owner, Fox Forestry(Orland,ME)
“Without the ongoing financial, marketing, and R&D support of MITC, we at Caron Engineering would be struggling to build our international markets. MITC is always asking, 'What can we do to help you and your Maine-based products succeed outside the USA?' That is just the constant push we, and all of Maine, need to get to the next level of success. Thank you!”
Jeffrey Witham, Program Manager, Caron Engineering, Inc.(Wells, ME)
“MITC through its logistical support and available funding support made it possible for Prapela to attend MEDICA. Our NIH SBIR grant does not allow grant proceeds to support commercialization efforts. As a result, the funds Prapela has available to attend any tradeshow or meeting are very limited. Simply put, we would not have attended MEDICA in 2022 without MITC support.”
John Konsin, Co-Founder & CEO, Prapela(Biddeford, ME)
"MITC enabled Defendify to take a measured risk in extending our marketing efforts beyond our traditional, US-based market, gaining insights about the Canadian customer and market demand for our products and services. It was an invaluable experience to invest in a test market and learn more about our target audience."
Emily Carville, Chief Marketing Officer, Defendify(Portland, ME)
"Fantastic help - thank you! As a small business, this [financial assistance] was so critical to helping us land on our feet."
Dave Rosin, Vice President of Sales & Business Development, ElleVet Sciences(South Portland, ME)
“We love the fact that MITC is always there to help with the direct costs of international marketing and sales. In addition, their list of on-staff and consultant experts for all matters is fantastic. We really hope to use MITC in the near future for website SEO improvements, once the additional funding arrives!”
Robert Caron, CEO, Caron Engineering, Inc.(Wells, ME)
“This support was exactly what we needed. We need to make potential clients and partners overseas aware of our capabilities, but until now it was difficult to dedicate the funding required to put together a website that had the desired effect. With this STEP funding and with the support of MITC's staff, we were able to get over that hump.”
Tobias Dewhurst, CEO, Kelson Marine Co. (Scarborough, ME)
Tobias Dewhurst, CEO, Kelson Marine Co.
"Thank you, MITC. These grants are invaluable. "
Patrick Sweeney, CFO, Lanco Integrated(Westbrook, ME)
"MITC has been a great help in our export business. This aid in funding activities has been a real boon to our business."
Dan Cote, Sales Manager, DeepWater Buoyancy, Inc.(Biddeford, ME)
"I want to thank MITC for their support of companies like OSS, and specifically on behalf of OSS a big thank you for this international marketing support. This support is critical as we struggle with developing materials for international business development, which is a difficult task in normal times, but is even more challenging in the age of COVID-19. I can’t help but believe that this support will be a key factor in helping OSS achieve success."
Roland Sirois, CEO, Orono Spectral Solutions (OSS) Inc. (Hermon, ME)
Roland Sirois, CEO, Orono Spectral Solutions (OSS) Inc.

The State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grant is designed to increase the number of small businesses that are exporting and to raise the value of exports for current small business exporters. Since 2011, MITC has received federal funding through this program to reduce the overall costs of pursuing export sales for Maine small businesses through two complementary strategies:  MITC Organized Activities and STEP Financial Assistance Awards.

MITC Organized Activities

For SBA-eligible Maine companies, MITC offers low-to-no cost activities such as export training, export skills development training, and market entry assistance. Companies participating in these grant-supported activities are required to complete an online application and registration form. Example activities include:

  • New to Export Training national 10-week export assistance program to develop export knowledge and plan market entry
  • Export skills development training on essential topics such as HTS/Schedule B product classification and free trade agreements (such as USMCA)
  • Market entry assistance through a variety of activities to increase export sales including:  market validation, virtual business-to-business matchmaking, market development cohorts, and in-market trade missions and matchmaking

What organized activities would be of most interest for your business in 2027?

COMPLETE THE INTEREST FORM

STEP Financial Assistance Awards

MITC provides funding to SBA-eligible Maine companies to support self-identified activities to seek new international sales.
 
Financial support can be used for export skills training, compliance testing or certification for export market entry, or international trade show participation.
 
Awards are reimbursements with a match requirement; your company must cover 100% of the activity costs upfront.
 
The current award period has closed. Please stay tuned for potential individual grant award opportunities in the future. 

Is Your Business SBA-Eligible for Funds?

To be eligible for funding, all answers to these questions must be Yes.

  • Is your business a for-profit company based in Maine that pays taxes in Maine?

  • Is at least 51% of your product manufactured or service performed in Maine?

  • Are you export-ready and planning to sell a product or service internationally?

  • Does your product or service qualify as U.S.-origin, with at least 51% U.S. content? (If you’re unsure, MITC can help determine eligibility.)

  • Has your business been operating for at least one year?

  • Does your business have the financial resources needed to cover costs associated with exporting and international trade activities?

  • Does your business meet the U.S. Small Business Administration’s definition of a small business? View SBA Size Standards

  • Can you attest that your business is NOT receiving or applying for other federal or state public funding for the same project?

If any of the following apply, your organization is not eligible for this funding:

  • Your organization is a nonprofit.
  • Your organization is an educational institution.
  • Your business is involved in the cannabis industry.

  • Your business has been operating for less than one year.

Funded in part through a grant with the U.S. Small Business Administration

The State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grant initiative of the U.S. Small Business Administration provides funding to increase the number of businesses that export. Administered by Maine International Trade Center (MITC), the objective of the STEP Financial Assistance Award is to encourage Maine companies to seek new international sales through financial support for costs associated with such export growth activities.

Federal Funding Disclosures – Maine International Trade Center
In accordance with Section 632 of Public Law 117-328
Federal Share:  $275,000 (75%)
Non-Federal Share:  $91,667 (25%)
Total:  $366,667 (100%)

Maine Funding Network

One location. One form.

With the Maine Funding Network, the best business ideas in Maine can more easily access multiple funding resources in one space. So if you’re entering a growth phase, moving your business to Maine, or just looking for funding, we can help.

Business Innovation Funding (BIF)

Administered by Maine Technology Institute (MTI), Business Innovation Funding (BIF) fuels groundbreaking ideas with grants, loans, and equity investments.

Funding is available for Maine-based businesses within one or more of MTI’s seven technology sectors: Biotechnology, Composites & Advanced Materials, Environmental Technologies, Forest Products & Agriculture, Information Technology, Marine Technology & Aquaculture, and Precision Manufacturing.

LEARN MORE
Maine Domestic Trade Expansion Program (DTEP)
Growing domestic sales is a smart business strategy…

Building your business domestically through investing in market analysis, selection, and entry methods serves as a springboard for future success in international markets. In addition, market diversification that includes strong domestic sales will help your business weather times of global economic uncertainty.

LEARN MORE