Export Indiana Accelerator Program (EIAP)

EIAP, valued at $10,000, is made available at no-cost to Hoosier small businesses with funding support from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

During the 12 week accelerator, participants will learn about export readiness, market research and identification, benchmarking, foreign market assessment, market penetration techniques, creating an export team, compliance, strategy, and more. Participants will leave the program with an executable Export Business Plan.

Participants can expect to spend 4-6 hours a week meeting with the Export Specialty Advisor and developing their Export Business Plan throughout the program. In addition to weekly meetings with an advisor, participants are required to attend 3 full cohort meetings.

Competitive applicants will lack a defined and effective exporting process, are poised to grow their business through exporting, and are committed to starting or expanding export sales.

Competitive applicants will also:

• Have a functioning website
• Have a clear understanding of competitive advantages (elevator pitch)
• Have support for export development from top management

While a general knowledge of exporting can be helpful, EIAP is for both new and existing exporters who lack a defined and effective exporting process.

Businesses can assign up to two participants to go through EIAP. Participants are not required to have any existing knowledge of exporting. If the business would like to hire an intern to be one of their participants, matching funds through the IU CIBER’s Internship Hiring Program may be available.

Depending on your activities, there is funding available through multiple resource partner programs to help offset the cost of certain international trade activities. Our team of Export Business Advisors can help determine if you qualify for assistance.