Supporting the export capabilities of Wisconsin businesses
Companies that want to grow know they need to export—but navigating the global marketplace requires specialized knowledge and a sound strategy based upon proven best practices. WEDC stands ready to help you gain the insights you need to tap new international markets.
How It Works
Wisconsin companies can be reimbursed for specific expenses associated with a short-term export development project that will help to grow their presence in an international market. This grant program is tiered to provide a base amount of support (up to $10,000 per application, limited to three total grants per company), with a higher level of support (up to $30,000 per application, limited to six total grants per company) available for companies that have completed ExporTech™.
Eligibility Requirements
- Be an established business, registered and operational for not less than one year, that manufactures, processes, assembles and/or distributes a product or performs a service with a potential to be exported.
- Have substantial export-related operations located within Wisconsin that provide economic benefit to the state.
- Self-certify that at least 35% of the value of the product or of the service is composed of Wisconsin cost inputs. WEDC staff can provide an Excel tool to help determine eligibility upon request.
- Have gross annual revenue of no more than $100 million. This requirement does not apply to agriculture companies eligible to receive an IMAG funded by the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection.
- ExporTech™ graduate companies generally may receive no more than six IMAGs in the lifetime of the company. Non-ExporTech™ graduate companies generally may receive no more than three IMAGs in the lifetime of the company.
Assistance Categories
IMAG assistance categories are generally:
- Trade Shows/Missions: Signup fees for a trade show or other authorized export development event; fees to reserve space or create a booth or display at an event; shipping costs for displays or marketing materials; interpreters. The IMAG may not be used to pay for any cost to attend WEDC-sponsored trade missions.
- Marketing & Promotion: Website development; globalization or translation of marketing materials; advertising or marketing fees in a foreign market; product certifications; foreign patents, trademarks, or copyrights.
- Export Education: Fees for full-time staff to attend conferences, seminars, meetings, webinars, and courses on export development, cultural competency, or foreign languages.
- Consulting Services: Services of authorized trade representatives; marketing consultants; overseas legal assistance for product certifications or IP protection; market research consultants; product modification consultants; U.S. Commercial Service Gold Key program; interpreters or translators.
