Most of the services described in this online guide can be used by small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). In fact, new-to-market or new-to-exporting SMEs in the RE&EE sector are highly encouraged to leverage these resources to get connected with foreign buyers. Growing demand for such technologies and services around the world means that no matter how large or small your company, someone needs your product.
Certain resources—also featured elsewhere in this online guide— from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and other agencies have been designed specifically for U.S. SMEs and small RE&EE projects. Generally, small businesses are manufacturers with 500 or fewer employees and non-manufacturers with less than $7 million in average annual receipts. For more information about size standards, please refer to the Guide to SBA’s Definitions of Small Business.
Counseling and Assistance
Business experts at SBA can help you with exporting or other areas of entrepreneurship to help your business start and grow. SBA offices serve every state and territory. In addition more than 850 Small Business Development Centers, 380 chapters of SCORE (an SBA resource partner with more than 13,000 volunteer counselors and trainers to small businesses), and 110 Women’s Business Centers are available. The SBA also has a senior international trade and finance specialist co-located with U.S. Commercial Service professionals in 18 of the 109 U.S. Export Assistance Centers.
Financing
The following finance programs are available to U.S. SMEs:
For SMEs that are new to exporting, more information can also be found in Trade Finance Guide: A Quick Reference for U.S. Exporters, available in PDF format.
Online matchmaking
Trade Mission Online: SBA’s searchable database is designed to facilitate international small business sales, franchising, joint ventures, and licensing. Trade Mission Online is used by small businesses that wish to export their products or that seek U.S. partners or suppliers for trade-related activities. SBA also uses the database to recruit and provide time-sensitive trade promotion information to registered companies.
Other online resources
SBA Export Library: provides information and resources to assist small businesses entering and competing in the global marketplace. It includes videos, online courses, and podcasts.
RE&EE exports in action
The example below illustrates how U.S. government services can help U.S. RE&EE companies enhance their ability to export.
Where do I start?
To learn more and to apply for these programs, please click on the links for each description.
To receive counseling on how the programs listed here can help you achieve your international sales goals, please contact your local U.S. Commercial Service international trade specialist.
You are in the “Resources for Small Business” section.
Return to the online guide main page
Notice to Visitors!
The link you have chosen will take you to a non-U.S. Government website.
If the page does not appear in 5 seconds, please click this: outside web site
Export.gov is managed by the International Trade Administration and external links are covered by its website disclaimer statement.
BuyUSA.gov is managed by the International Trade Administration and external links are covered by its website disclaimer statement.