In the dynamic landscape of commerce, the long-term stability and success of small businesses often hinges on their ability to explore and conquer new horizons. In the heart of this pursuit, Export Delaware has emerged as a beacon of support, helping local enterprises navigate the global marketplace and, in turn, catalyzing the creation of 100 new jobs and $383 Million in sales for local businesses. “As a start-up, we would never be able to expand to the new territories as we have without the support from Export Delaware,” says Iwona Evans, Owner and CEO of Aqua Science.
Export Delaware, an initiative of the Delaware Department of State, is dedicated to empowering local businesses through strategic international business development. The division has proven to be a game-changer for numerous small enterprises. “We owe a great deal of our international business success to Export Delaware,” says Neeraj K. Batta, PE, Senior Vice President, BATTA Environmental Associates, Inc. “The grant opportunities and domestic leadership combined with in-country experts, have allowed a small business such as ours to open markets in new countries and find the local partners and businesses that need our products and services.”
A significant achievement stemming from this initiative is the creation of 100 new jobs within the community. As small businesses ventured beyond local boundaries, tapping into international markets with the support of Export Delaware, the resultant growth and demand have translated directly into increased employment opportunities. These new jobs span various sectors, from manufacturing and logistics to marketing and sales, contributing to a diversified and resilient local economy.
How is it done? Through various levels of business development support, including export counseling, market studies provided by a network of 15 foreign trade representatives, international business trips, and financial assistance through the state-funded Compass Grant and the STEP Grant, a program partially funded by the SBA.
One key element of Export Delaware’s success lies in its tailored approach to each business’s unique needs. When coordinating business trips for Delaware companies, Export Delaware staff and international trade representatives do a comprehensive market study to identify potential target customers and distributors. Michael Brockert, CEO of Kango Express, who has participated in three overseas business trips with Export Delaware, says, “We have found the trips to be invaluable to our business. The resources and assistance they provide — business introductions, itineraries, market research, local interpreters, transportation, and local market knowledge — are second to none. We have successfully been able to expand into new markets in ways that would not have been possible without the assistance of Export Delaware.”
The local Export Delaware team works in tandem with the international trade representatives to develop a comprehensive program for each participating Delaware small business. The Delaware small businesses are in good hands when they step on the plane to depart the US. Iwona Evans says, “Their expertise and hard work organizing the business trips, managing the meetings as they are happening, and the follow-up work after is invaluable.” Evans admits, “It gives me peace of mind that all the companies I meet with are vetted. You can’t put a value on that.”
By demystifying the export process and mitigating potential challenges, Export Delaware empowers small businesses to focus on what they do best—innovating, producing quality goods, and contributing to the local job market.
The initiative offers a spectrum of services, including market research, export counseling, and financial assistance, ensuring that businesses have the tools and knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of global trade.
“As a small manufacturing business marketing executive, I have seen the impact of the Export Delaware Team first hand,” says Stephan A. Zweidler, Partner and Director of Technical Sales and Marketing of Accuydne Systems Inc. “The Export Delaware Team is professional, responsive, and focused on the success of Delaware businesses. If you haven’t tapped into this incredible resource yet, you are missing out.”
Export Delaware is a testament to the transformative power of strategic support for local businesses. By championing the cause of small enterprises and providing them with the resources to venture into global markets, Export Delaware has fueled economic growth and played a pivotal role in creating 100 new local jobs and retaining over 250 jobs in Delaware.
To learn more about Export Delaware, visit https://export.delaware.gov/.
