Indy Chamber announces new round of ‘GoGlobal’ Export Grants

Indy Chamber News Archives

Indy Chamber announces new round of ‘GoGlobal’ Export Grants: Funding for Indy-based, mid-sized firms to launch or expand export efforts

GoGlobal grants, supported by JPMorgan Chase, help businesses across the nine-county region explore foreign markets; early application deadline is November 22nd

INDIANAPOLIS, October 30, 2017:  The Indy Chamber today announced that it is seeking applicants for its GoGlobal Export Acceleration Grant program.  Supported by JPMorgan Chase, GoGlobal grants target mid-market companies with matching funds up to $5,000 to support start-up and expansion of their export activities. 

Interested firms are encouraged to learn more and download application materials at indychamber.com/goglobalgrant; a priority application deadline of November 22, 2017 has been set along with a later deadline of February 9, 2018. 

Launched in late 2015, the GoGlobal grant program was one of the first initiatives of the Metro Indy Global Trade and Investment Plan, a strategy to increase regional exports and foreign investment led by the Indy Chamber in partnership with the Brookings Institution and JPMorgan Chase.  The plan identified widespread but largely untapped export potential among middle-market companies across the Indianapolis region.

“Indianapolis is a leading metro in both exports and foreign investment, but much of this success relies on our largest employers,” said Jennifer Pearl, the Indy Chamber’s Director of International Programs.  “GoGlobal grants reduce barriers to becoming successful exporters for our mid-sized companies, by easing the costs of initial steps into the global marketplace.”  

Activities supported by GoGlobal grants include participation in export plan development and training, trade shows and industry conferences, trade missions, and other research and technical assistance. Additional details are included with the grant application. 

Previous GoGlobal grant recipients have leveraged the funds for a range of activities.  Indianapolis-based Word Systems, a pioneering provider of high-definition recording solutions for law enforcement and other criminal justice agencies, was one recipient. It used the grant for the Export Indiana Fellowship program, offered by the Indiana Small Business Development Center and Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management.

“We knew we could be a global company, but we needed technical and strategic support to get started,” said Ryan Vogt, Director of Partner Channel Sales for Word Systems.  “That’s why we pursued the GoGlobal grant.”

Vogt noted that the grant led the company to make connections and access resources that are adding value far beyond the initial funding: “There’s a whole ecosystem of services and support for growing businesses like ours in Indianapolis and beyond – the GoGlobal grant helped jump-start a much broader push for Word Systems.”

GoGlobal applications will be reviewed as they are submitted and received; awards of available funds will be based on a merit-based evaluation, but also ‘first-come, first-serve’ among qualifying companies.

“Companies are a great fit for this grant if they are prioritizing growth through exports or exploring overseas sales,” Pearl said.  “We encourage firms to apply for GoGlobal Grants as early as possible, as they will be considered on a rolling basis.”

GoGlobal application materials are directly accessible at https://indychamber.formstack.com/forms/exportaccelerationgrant.

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About The Indy Chamber:

The Indy Chamber is the voice of progress and improvement for the Indianapolis region's business community. With membership of nearly 2,000 businesses in the Indianapolis region, the Indy Chamber is leading the effort to strengthen the business climate, improve the state of education, revitalize neighborhoods and enhance the region's workforce. For more information, visit IndyChamber.com.

Media Contacts:

Joe Pellman, Indy Chamber, 317.464.2251, [email protected]

Chris Watts, CVR Public Relations, 317.514.3184, [email protected]