Gold Key-Matchmaker Grants

Increase your business’ reach with Gold Key/Matchmaker grants

Gold Key/Matchmaker Grants

Eligible manufacturers and professional services providers can apply for a Gold Key/Matchmaker Grant to generate or increase export sales overseas.

Gold Key/Matchmaker services are a market development tool for new or infrequent exporters, offering meetings with pre-screened and pre-qualified buyers, agents, importers, and representatives with an interest in your company’s products or services. The grant will cover some or all of the participation fee for a SelectFlorida Export Sales Mission.

Business matchmaking may be provided by the U.S. Commercial Service’s Gold Key Service, or a qualified in-country partner.

Please contact your local trade representative for more information and to receive the grant application.

Minimum Criteria

All grant applicants must meet the minimum grant qualifications found here.

Grant-Specific Criteria

Applicant MUST be at least one of the following:

a. New to export (never exported)

b. New to the market, or

c. An infrequent exporter to the market (1-50 export shipments per year)

Costs Covered

ONLY the Participation Fee will be covered. Expenses related to travel, accommodations, shipping/freight, personnel etc. do not qualify for reimbursement.

Reimbursement / Cost-Share Amount(s)

Application Documents

1. Proof of company registration with Florida Division of Corporations from www.sunbiz.org.

2. Proof of registration.

3. Proof of payment.

Reimbursement Documents

1. An invoice billing SelectFlorida for amount specified in the Grant Approval email. Grant payments will only be issued via ACH.

2. Signed and dated IRS W-9 Form. W-9 must be dated within the last 24 months.

3. Completed Export Sales Report

All grant reimbursement documents must be received by no later than August 30 of each year.

Number of Grants Allowed

A company may receive a maximum of three trade grants each year between July 1 to June 30, subject to the limitations below:

Export Marketing Plan – One per lifetime

Submission and Evaluation Process

Submission Process: Applicants must request an online Grant Application (“application”) from SelectFlorida and submit all required documentation at least two weeks prior to the start of the Export Sales Mission. Grants must be approved prior to the first day of scheduled appointments or they will not be considered. No exceptions.

Evaluation Process: SelectFlorida staff will review all applications and make a determination regarding the applicant’s eligibility and grant award amounts within ten (10) days of receipt of application.

Noncompliance

If the Grantee does not submit the required reimbursement documents within thirty (30) calendar days after the end of the Export Sales Mission, SelectFlorida reserves the right to cancel the grant award without reimbursement.

If SelectFlorida learns that any of the information provided on the application is false, SelectFlorida has the right to cancel the reimbursement if not already paid, or require repayment of funds already disbursed.