Program Eligibility

• An ‘eligible small business concern’ (ESBC);
• A for-profit business registered in Utah;
• Physically located and operational in Utah at least one year;
• Not barred from federal funds;
• One or more full-time employees;
• Export-ready company seeking to export goods or services of U.S. origin OR have at least 51% U.S. content (click here to learn more);
• Sufficient resources to bear the costs associated with trade;
• Small business in accordance with SBA guidelines and size standards:
  https://www.sba.gov/size-standards/ or Electronic Code of Federal Regulations.

The following small businesses are NOT eligible for STEP funding:

• Consulting agencies
• Law firms
• Accounting and financial firms
• Companies, organizations or individuals recruiting foreign direct investment
• Companies engaged in any activity that is illegal under Federal or state law
• Derives more than one-third of its gross annual revenue from legal gambling activities
• Distributors representing clients
• Educational institutions or for-profit schools recruiting students
• Foreign-based companies or more than 49% foreign owned
• Hospitality or tourism operators
• Multi-level marketing (MLM), direct sales or network marketing companies
• Non-profit organizations
• Presents live performances of sexual nature or derives more than a minor amount of revenue from the sale of products or services of a sexual nature
• Real estate developers