U.S. Commercial Service
Our global network of experienced trade professionals is located throughout the United States and in U.S. Embassies and Consulates worldwide. Whether you’re looking to make your first export sale or expand to additional markets, we offer the expertise you need to connect with lucrative opportunities and increase your bottom line. Find an International Trade Specialist near you.
Worldwide Recognition: As the U.S. government, we can open doors that no one else can in markets around the world.
Global Network: Our unmatched global network with trade experts in more than 80 countries can provide you with on-the-ground knowledge and connections.
Results Driven: Our expert, customized counseling is unparalleled and designed to help you succeed in global markets.
Building Bridges to Global Markets
The U.S. Commercial Service’s Building Bridges to Global Markets brings no-cost, in-person exporting expertise to your community. Addressing issues most common to diverse businesses seeking international sales expansion, this series of events will introduce reliable contacts, accurate information, and ready-to-use resources that will place you firmly on the road to exporting success.
Learn About Building Bridges
Commerce Department’s Minority Business Development Agency Announces Nearly $100 Million to Expand Opportunities for Underserved Entrepreneurs
On December 21, 2022, the U.S. Department of Commerce launched the Capital Readiness Program grant competition, which dedicates $93.5 million to help minority and other underserved entrepreneurs grow and scale their businesses. This program, administered by the Minority Business Development Agency, marks the largest program of its kind in the history of the Commerce Department.
The Capital Readiness Program will provide funding to incubators and accelerators across the country, with expertise to assist and train minority and other underserved entrepreneurs seeking resources, tools, and technical assistance to start or scale their businesses in high-growth industries such as healthcare, climate resilient technology, asset management, infrastructure, and more.
Businesses owned by women of color represent one of the fastest growing sectors in the economy. However, structural barriers persist, preventing many women from starting their own businesses and accessing capital, childcare solutions, and peer networks. The Capital Readiness Program will provide the curriculum, tools, and resources to minority entrepreneurs to access capital and funding, and connect them to subject matter experts, vendors and peer support to help start or scale their business.
“This new program reflects President Biden’s and the Commerce Department’s continued historic commitment to underserved business owners and entrepreneurs,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “During the pandemic, women and minority-owned businesses and entrepreneurs were among the hardest hit, often lacking the resources they needed to keep their doors open. We can’t let this happen again. That’s why the Capital Readiness Program prioritizes and encourages resources and tools, such as childcare services, that will ensure more people can launch and scale businesses.”
Application Deadline: March 10, 2023
Learn More & Apply
Minority Business Development Agency (MDBA) Assistance
Minority-owned firms seeking to penetrate new markets — domestic & global — and growing in size and scale, can access business experts at a Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Center. Whether it’s securing capital, competing for a contract, identifying a strategic partner or becoming export-ready, your success is our priority. These MDBA Business Centers are located in areas with the largest concentration of minority populations and the largest number of minority businesses.
MBDA developed Enterprising Women of Color (EWOC) to focus on the fast-expanding minority women entrepreneur population as a revenue generators for families, communities, and the nation.
Export-Import Bank (EXIM) Support for Minority and Women-Owned Businesses
EXIM Bank has a business development team devoted to minority and women-owned businesses which works exclusively with these businesses. They provide hands-on guidance to small businesses and MWOB companies that wish to export and learn how to qualify for EXIM Bank financing which includes Working Capital Guarantees, Credit Insurance, Loan Guarantees and Direct Loans.
Learn more about Exim Bank’s programs for minority and women-owned businesses.
Small Business Administration (SBA) Programs
The U.S. Small Business Administration leverages its field offices, resource partners, and additional partnerships to help level the playing field for business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs who historically have lacked access to wealth or business opportunities.
Learn more about SBA’s resources for minority and women-owned, and Native-American-owned businesses.
