First STEP-Next STEP - Market Finder Reimbursement Application

Market Finder Reimbursement Application

Market Finder Reimbursements will reimburse selected small businesses 75% of the cost of Initial Market Check services for three to five target countries for export development. This service provides an initial assessment of market potential for a product or service in a targeted market by gathering feedback from up to five industry participants and provides a recommendation on whether a company should pursue the target market. The remaining 25% of the cost will be considered a required matching contribution by the applicant. The maximum reimbursement per participating business, per funding year, under this program is $1,500.

The purpose of this program is to assist small businesses seeking to start exporting or expand their export sales to new countries. Participating firms will be expected to follow up with a proposed export strategy to pursue at least one of the target markets based on the results of the study. Proposed export strategies must include the execution of an export marketing activity such as participation in trade shows, sales trips, product demonstrations, website marketing, and the Gold Key Service. Proposed export marketing activities can be funded by the West Virginia First STEP-Next STEP Program if it is available and all the eligibility criteria is met.

Applicants must demonstrate adequate export readiness, resources and experience to enter or expand into new markets and a high level of commitment to follow up on the results of the market study.

Instructions
Please answer every question on this application the best you can. You will have the opportunity to clarify or add special notes at the bottom of this form. If you have any questions please contact

Jesus Velasco
Manager, International Trade
Jesus.Velasco@wv.gov
304-558-2234

Company Name*

D&B D-U-N-S Number (if your company has one)

Export Experience
Which of the following best describes your company’s export experience?

Select one.*

Level 0- Company has never made an export sale but has a product or service that has been
successfully sold in the domestic market and has sufficient production capacity to commit to the
export market.Level 1- Company has exported sporadically through its website or other sources. Company
has or is preparing an export development strategy; taking in consideration exporting may require
product modification, special product certifications, and designation of financial resources to promote
and coordinate international sales. Company has adequate knowledge of the exporting process
but may benefit from additional assistance regarding market entry strategies, export finance and
payment mechanisms and legal considerations.Level 2- Company has sold internationally on multiple occasions and may have presence in one
to three countries. Company is seeking to continue to develop its export strategy to expand
to new international markets. Company may have limited experience participating in international
trade events and may continue to benefit from additional assistance regarding market entry
strategies, export finance, payment mechanisms and legal considerations.Level 3- Company has a presence in more than three countries and is actively participating in
international marketing events every year. Company is seeking to continue to develop its export
strategy and expand to new international markets and may have a deep understanding of the
exporting process, trade finance, trade logistics and legal considerations. Company may have
a sales division designated to exporting.

Use the space below to provide additional information regarding your company’s level of export experience.

Program Criteria

Applicants must self-represent as an Eligible Small Business Concern in order to be considered eligible for the West Virginia First STEP-Next STEP Program. Select the link below to complete self-representation form.

Self-Representation as a Eligible Small Business Concern Form

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Applicants must not be barred from receiving federal funds to be eligible for the West Virginia First STEP-Next STEP Program.

Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters

Upload your completed and signed certification by clicking below.

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Proposed Markets

List 3 to 5 countries to explore through the Market Finder Reimbursement Program and provide any available information to explain why these markets are being chosen. If assistance is needed to determine which countries to target, please contact the International Trade Representatives of the West Virginia Development Office:

Caitlin Lizarraga 304-957-2014

Enybe Diaz 304-957-2018

1-

Why this market?

2-

Why this market?

3-

Why this market?

4-

Why this market?

5-

Why this market?

Use the space below to provide any additional information or comments regarding your selected target markets.

Please explain where you are currently selling your products and how they are being distributed.

Which of the following best describes your sales projection over the next three to five years in the target country or countries, as a result of your participation in this trade event?

Use the space below if you need to add notes regarding sales projections.

Please explain your current export goals and what you intend to do with the information resulted from this market study.

Please provide examples of marketing activities your company has used recently to promote your products or services abroad and how these activities have impacted your export sales growth.

Company and Products

Complete the following U.S. Commercial Service Company Questionnaire to provide more information about your company and products and your export strategy supporting the selected trade event. Select the link below to begin questionnaire. Complete, save and upload the document.

U. S. Commercial Services Company Questionnaire

Upload your completed and signed certification by clicking below.

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Upload a File

NAICS Number

Click here for additional information on NAICS.

Industry Sectors (Check all that apply)

What year was your company established?

Do any of the following designations describe the ownership of your company?

Woman-ownedMinority ownedVeteran or service-disabled veteran ownedRural

Is your company headquartered in WV?

YesNo

If you are not headquartered in WV please list headquarters name, address and website

Number of full-time employees

Number of part-time employees

Expense Reimbursement

Participating companies will be required to pay for the Initial Market Check services directly to the U.S. Department of Commerce. Once the service has been rendered, businesses will submit their expense documentation to obtain 75% of the expenses reimbursed through the WV First STEP-Next STEP, program up to $1,500 per company per funding period. Generally, the Initial Market Check is $350 per market for small businesses, however, this amount may vary based on the recommendation of the U.S. Department of Commerce for other market research services available. The International Trade Representatives of the West Virginia Development Office will assist participating firms in connecting with a representative from the U.S. Department of Commerce to initiate these services.

Participating firms must present a summary of the export strategy to follow the results of this study and complete a post-event survey in order to receive funding. Proposed export strategies must include the execution of an export marketing activity such as participation in trade shows, sales trips, product demonstrations, website marketing, and the Gold Key Service. Proposed export marketing activities can be funded by the West Virginia First STEP-Next STEP Program if it is available and all the eligibility criteria is met.

Additional notes regarding this application

How did you learn about the West Virginia First STEP-Next STEP program?

Help the Export Promotion Program of the West Virginia Development Office select the best markets for future trade events by answering the following questions:

What other countries are you interested in pursuing?

What trade shows in foreign countries would you like to participate as an exhibitor? Please provide name of trade show and country of location

The West Virginia First STEP-Next STEP program is funded in part through a Grant with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). This cooperative agreement requires the State of West Virginia to report all sales and job creation results derived by your participation on the planned trade event. Recipients of the West Virginia First STEP-Next STEP are required to answer a post-event survey, and a program close-out survey during the first year, as well as two long term performance surveys for the next two years following the trade event.

By electronically signing below, I certify that the information on this application is correct and that I agree to adhere to all West Virginia First STEP-Next STEP program guidelines and reporting policies. All information provided is kept confidential and reported only in aggregate form. I further understand that the completion of this application does not guarantee approval for any expense reimbursements.

First Name*

Last Name*

Title

Email address*

Preferred contact telephone number*

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.*

YesNo

Date*

MonthDayYear