California Export Assistance Ecosystem
Developed by the International Affairs and Trade Team at the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), this hub connects California businesses with trusted export assistance providers and offers training and resources for business-serving organizations (BSOs), creating a centralized gateway to GO-Biz export support.
This Export Ecosystem is Designed For
California Businesses
- Solicit advice and resources to support your export activities
- Get help with compliance, logistics, market entry, or financing
- Find GO-Biz resources
- Build staff export capacity and credentials
Export Assistance Provider Directory
Ready to take your business global? Find a business-serving organization to guide you through compliance, logistics, market entry, and financing.
The Export Assistance Provider Directory is currently under development. Approved providers will be added as information is received and verified. The directory will be updated on an ongoing basis.
Resources & Tools
For technical assistance providers looking to incorporate GO-Biz resources and tools into their advising strategy.
Export Assistance
- California STEP Grant – the California State Trade Expansion Program (STEP), aimed at helping small businesses expand into global markets by increasing the number of exporters and the volume of goods and services they trade.
- Export Training for Businesses – expand into international markets through export training programs tailored to specific industries and target countries. Delivered by expert third-party consultants, these trainings equip companies with the knowledge and strategies needed to pursue targeted export opportunities.
- Tariff Resource Guide – find a collection of resources to help businesses navigate tariffs, optimize operations, and remain competitive in the global marketplace.
Referral Pathways
Links to Federal Resources
Export Assistance Training for California Business-Serving Organizations
Empowering California’s Business-Serving Organizations for Global Success.
GO-Biz is offering export training through MindEdge’s Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) program to increase the number of technical assistance providers serving small businesses with the skills to support export assistance and to strengthen California’s export ecosystem. This initiative builds capacity among business-serving organizations (BSOs), particularly nonprofit and community-serving organizations, by deepening their export knowledge, strengthening partnerships with GO-Biz, and expanding their ability to identify and support California small businesses looking to start exporting or expand their export activities.
The curriculum of this program aligns with the knowledge areas required for the NASBITE Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) exam and can assist participants in their exam preparation. However, taking the certification exam is not mandatory for participation in this program, and GO-Biz will not cover the cost of the CGBP examination.
Eligibility
Applicant organizations must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- The applicant organization must be an authorized representative or employee of a federally designated technical assistance center or a registered 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization whose primary mission is to promote underserved microbusinesses, small businesses, and entrepreneurs.
- The applicant organization must be an established technical assistance provider that currently delivers services to small businesses and entrepreneurs in the State of California and has a demonstrated track record of effective program delivery.
- The applicant organization must be able to demonstrate, through its programs or governing authority, how it provides technical assistance to small businesses in California.
- The applicant organization must attest that the organization has the capacity and commits to receiving and responding to referrals from GO-Biz for export-related technical assistance and to actively engage with GO-Biz as a partner in strengthening California’s statewide export ecosystem.
Cost
The training cost is offered at a significantly reduced rate by GO-Biz through MindEdge Learning. Each selected organization is able to receive training for up to three staff at a cost of $100 per staff.
How to Apply
Applications open February 1, 2026. Apply here
