The Colorado Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the Minority Business Office of the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT), and Manufacturer’s Edge are pleased to announce partnerships with the World Trade Center Denver (WTCD), resulting in grant awards to qualifying companies. If you have been thinking about starting to expand your business through exports, now is time to check out the courses and services offered at the World Trade Center Denver to help you get there. Following are three programs where you may be eligible to earn grants, scholarships and recognition along with the main benefit of growing your business!
1) Leading Edge for International Opportunities – Deadline Mar. 31, 2016 – This international grant and training provided by SBDC and OEDIT’s Minority Business Office provides an educational pathway and equips small and medium size minority and women-owned Colorado businesses to develop a strategic plan for conducting international business, thus creating a new revenue stream within your operation. Come to an Informational Session on March 25th, 2016 from 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Recipients will receive their Certificate of International Trade from the WTCD. For more details, click here.
2) Small Manufacturer’s AdvantEDGE – This program and potential awards brought to you by SBDC, OEDIT and Manufacturer’s Edge is intended to help Colorado’s small manufacturers under 20 employees to help with operations support, process improvement, export strategies, advising, and more. A manufacturer’s initial engagement could be acquiring education with the WTCD if you have never exported before or need a refresher. However, if you are an experienced exporter, a more thorough approach via a Gap Analysis on your international business practices may be what you need. For more details on this program, please email Sumer Sorensen Bain at Manufacturer’s Edge.
3) Governor’s Award for Excellence in Exporting – Deadline Apr. 15, 2016 – The WTCD is soliciting applications or nominations for the Governor’s Exporter of the Year, which will be awarded at this year’s World Trade Day on May 19th. Think of this award as an excellent way to share your export success. The Governor’s Office, the OEDIT and the WTCD will all promote the winners of this award and you will be recognized at the largest international business conference in the region.
We hope you will take advantage of these opportunities to grow your business!