Big dreams and hard work.

That’s what it takes to be an entrepreneur, and you have it in spades. The next thing you need to build on your success?

Funding.

If you’re a small business in Utah with dreams of expanding to global markets, you’re in luck. The U.S. Small Business Association (SBA)’s State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) offers grants to help cover the costs of bring your business to countries around the world.

Below are 5 things to know about the SBA STEP Grant.

1. 1. $500,000 is available in Utah.
2. 2. The maximum annual award for the SBA STEP Grant is $15,000.
3. 3. Small businesses must meet eligibility requirements.
4. 4. SBA STEP funds can be used for business expenses related to international expansion.
5. 5. Applying for the grant has a few steps.

1. $500,000 is available in Utah.

The SBA is making $500,000 available to Utah small businesses through STEP. These funds will be managed by the World Trade Center Utah (WTC Utah) and the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity (GOEO).

2. The maximum annual award for the SBA STEP Grant is $15,000.

Eligible small businesses may receive up to $15,000 in funding to cover business expenses related to expanding to an international market.

Grant recipients must provide a 25 percent cash match to their total grant award. A company receiving the maximum award will need to match $3,750.

3. Small businesses must meet eligibility requirements.

According to the SBA STEP Grant’s page,, your business must meet the requirements below:

• • An “eligible small business concern”
• • A for-profit business registered in Utah
• • Physically located and operational in Utah for at least one year
• • Not barred from federal funds
• • One or more full-time employees
• • Export-ready company seeking to export goods or services of U.S. origin or have at least 51 percent U.S. content
• • Sufficient resources to bear the costs associated with trade
• • Small businesses in accordance with SBA Small Business Standards

The following businesses are not eligible:

• • Nonprofits
• • Educational institutions or for-profit schools recruiting students
• • Law, accounting, and financial firms
• • Consulting agencies
• • Hospitality or tourism operators
• • Real estate developers
• • Multi-level marketing, direct sales, or network marketing companies
• • Foreign-based companies or companies more than 49 percent foreign owned
• • Companies, organizations, or individuals recruiting foreign direct investment
• • Companies engaged in illegal activity (federal or state law)
• • Companies that present performances of a sexual nature or specialize in selling products or services of a sexual nature
• • Companies getting more than one third of their gross annual revenue from legal gambling

4. SBA STEP funds can be used for business expenses related to international expansion.

These expenses include translation and localization services, travel to international trade shows, sales trips, or business meetings, preparing marketing materials for new markets, or using U.S. Department of Commerce services.

Permissible travel costs include economy airfare and baggage fees, ground transportation, parking, lodging, currency exchange fees, and meeting spaces.

Other expenses related to travel, like passports, visas, entertainment, etc. are not covered by SBA STEP Grant funding.

5. Applying for the SBA STEP Grant has a few steps.

First, you need to confirm that you’re eligible to apply for the grant. Begin by submitting the questionnaire on WTC Utah’s website.

If you’re eligible to apply, you’ll receive login credentials where you can complete the application.

Do you need translation or localization services for your company? Get a quick quote or email [email protected] to ask for service and pricing details.

You’re trying to communicate with parents about their child’s academic performance and get their support from home. The only challenge?

A language barrier.

Translation allows you to overcome that challenge, so the next thing to address is how to pay for it. Many districts aren’t aware that there is federal funding available to supplement state and local funding for translation in schools. We’ll cover the basics of federal funding under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Title I, Part A and Title III, Part A.

Translation Obligations and Funding

Schools are required to make information shared with parents accessible regardless of proficiency in English. They also may not charge parents for translation. Local and state public school funding are the primary resources for covering the costs of translation services. Ask your principal about how state and local school funding is allocated for translation at your school.

Supplemental federal funding is available to cover certain translation costs under IDEA, ESSA Title I, Part A, and ESSA Title III, Part A. While these laws cover educational needs more broadly, we’ll review what these programs require and cover specifically for translation below.

IDEA

IDEA ensures that students with disabilities have access to a free public education and receive any additional educational services they need. When it comes to conducting student assessments and communicating with parents who are not proficient in English, translation services are necessary.

IDEA funding may be used to pay for translation services that meet its requirements, including

• • student assessments,
• • notices about identification, evaluation, and educational placement of student,
• • requests for consent for educational services, and
• • notification of right to confidentiality.

ESSA Title I, Part A

Generally speaking, Title I funds can be used to fill Title I-specific requirements, including

• • achievement information,
• • report cards of state and local educational agencies,
• • Parents’ Right to Know,
• • school’s Title I plan,
• • school and parent programs, meetings, activities and planning for those events,
• • Parent and Family Engagement policy,
• • School Improvement identification and all necessary details and rights related to that identification, and
• • information about student identification as an English Learner and details about instruction programs.

Schools using Title I funding fall into two categories: Schoolwide Programs and Targeted Assistance Programs. Specific rules about funding use can vary based on which category your school falls into. Talk to your principal and district for more information about your school specifically.

Schoolwide Programs have at least 40 percent low-income student population. These schools can use Title I funds to benefit all students using a schoolwide plan based on a comprehensive needs assessment.

Targeted Assistance Programs offer supplementary education services to students selected to participate in Title I. These schools must use scientifically-based research.

ESSA Title III, Part A

You can use Title III funds to pay for translations of any required notices and communication to parents and guardians in Title III. This communication centers on student identification and placement in a language instruction program. You’ll need to provide details about the program, other program options available, how the student specifically will benefit, and information on how parents can be involved. If applicable, you’ll also need to notify parents of failure to meet the Title III Annual Measurable Achievement Objectives (AMAOs).

Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) and State Educational Agencies (SEAs) can use Title III funds to contract with a translation company to provide these notices. LEAs can also use Title III funds to cover supplemental translation and interpretation services that are specific to Title III services and students.

In other words, Title III funding cannot be used for translation required by other laws or regulatory entities, like the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR), IDEA, and Title I.

It may be that your school district has a contract with a translation company to do all of the translation work you need. The funding you use to pay for these services will change based on what regulatory requirement the document fills.

Understanding funding guidelines and availability will help you get the translation services you need to connect with parents and ensure your students have the support they need.

Need help with translation at your school? Get a quick quote or email [email protected] to ask for service and pricing details.

In today's interconnected world, it’s easier than ever to reach global markets. Even markets within the United States are linguistically diverse.

The only thing standing between you and tapping into these markets is a language barrier.

You need translation.

From your marketing to your software, translation will help you connect with more customers. So, what does translation look like?

As much as we’d like it to be a simple process of converting text, it’s more complex.

Translation Process

While every translation company has its specific processes, here’s what you can expect generally when working with a translation company:

1. 1. You’ll submit files that need translation.
2. 2. The company will review those files and the scope of your project. Your project details may include a style guide and a pre-approved terminology list. Once the whole project is reviewed, you’ll receive estimates of costs and timelines.
3. 3. Once you approve the project, the company will prepare the files and project details to send to its translators.
4. 4. Translators will complete the translation and send it back for review.
5. 5. The company will run quality assurance checks to ensure quality translation.
6. 6. Next, the company will prepare the final files to send to you.
7. 7. The company will run a final linguistic review of the translation in context.
8. 8. You’ll receive the final translation. If you have questions or concerns, you can work with the company to ensure the final product meets your needs and expectations.

Considerations for Translating Software and Technology

Translating software and websites goes beyond language. It includes making the user interface or website adaptable to your new user audience.

1. 1. Localization: Localization affects your user interface on your app and website. You’ll need to think about the user experience. Some languages are oriented right to left instead of left to right like English. When words and phrases are translated into other languages, the text length is rarely the same as the source text. This difference in text length can lead to a clunky interface and poor user experience. Using responsive design and planning for these adjustments will help you create a beautiful and easy-to-use final product.
   
   
2. 2. Technical Jargon: You may have specific technical terms you want translated a certain way. Or, you may have terms that need to remain untranslated for the best comprehension of your customers. Creating and sticking to a terminology list or glossary can help ensure clarity and customer satisfaction.
   
   
3. 3. Consistency: Just like your marketing team is consistent with your branding and company voice, you’ll want your translation to be as cohesive and strike a similar tone in the target language. Developing and following a company style guide in both the source and target languages helps ensure a consistent brand.

Beyond your user interface, you’ll also need to have supplemental documents translated, including legal notifications and support resources. You may need to provide additional or different legal notification to comply with local and regional regulations.

Translation and ROI

It’s worth paying for high quality translation because it carries a high ROI for your business. Translation expands your market reach, grows your online visibility, makes it easier to deliver a positive customer experience, helps you comply with regional regulations, and helps establish a positive brand presence in your new market.

1. 1. Market Reach: Translated marketing materials, product descriptions, and other customer communications make it easy for your target audience to connect with your brand and do business with you. Expanding market reach is a key ROI whether you are taking your business global or broadening your markets within the United States.
   
   
2. 2. SEO and Online Visibility: SEO is very competitive in the English language and is less competitive in others. There are also more users on search engines conducting searches in languages other than English. Translating your website helps you decrease the intensity of your online competition and grow your audience.
   
   
3. 3. Customer Satisfaction: Offering customer support and resources in their language improves customer satisfaction with your business and services. Afterall, no one is going to use an app that they don’t understand.
   
   
4. 4. Regulatory Compliance: Businesses operating in different countries often need to adhere to various regulations and standards. Translating legal and regulatory documents ensures compliance and prevents legal issues. Even in the United States, it’s sometimes required to offer information in languages that your employees understand.
   
   
5. 5. Positive Brand Presence: A bad translation can destroy your brand overseas because it shows a lack of preparation and a lack of interest in customers from your target region. Ensuring you have a quality translation protects the brand you’re building.

How to Find a Quality Translation Company

Getting a good translation requires context of where and how the language is being used in addition to understanding cultural norms and subtexts of a language.

Hiring your own translator can be a long, difficult process – you’ll need to verify how well they know the target language and their level of familiarity with your industry. When you’ve got a project to manage or have enough to do with writing the original language tech documents, it’s worth outsourcing that task to experts.

It’s much easier to vet translation companies and hire one. You just need to check four things:

1. 1. Expertise and Experience
2. 2. Translation Quality and Process
3. 3. Data Security and Privacy
4. 4. Reliability

Expertise and Experience

Consider how long the company has been in business, how experienced its translators are, and whether it can process the files you need accurately.

• • How experienced are the translators in the target language?
• • How knowledgeable are the translators in your industry?
• • What languages are available?
• • What types of files can the company process?

Translation Quality and Process

Learn about the company’s approach to translation and how it ensures you get a high-quality translation.

• • How does the company ensure an accurate, high-quality translation?
• • Does the company follow international standards set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)?
• • Does the company offer different levels of quality that can be adjusted based on your budget and timeline?

Data Security and Privacy

Whether you’re working with protected information or trying to maintain your proprietary information, you’ll need to ask how the company approaches data and privacy.

• • Does the company comply with regulatory requirements like HIPAA, FERPA, and GDPR?
• • Does the company sign non-disclosure agreements that will help protect your business?

Reliability

You’ve got a deadline, and you aim to impress. You need a reliable translation company.

• • What does the final translated product look like?
• • How does the company ensure that projects are on-budget and on-time?

Translation isn’t just an expense. It’s an investment in growing your business and being successful financially. Finding the right translation company will help you expand your market reach, improve your online presence, and reduce liability by complying with regulations.

Need help with translation? Get a quick quote or email [email protected] to ask for service and pricing details.

Big dreams and hard work.

That’s what it takes to be an entrepreneur, and you have it in spades. The next thing you need to build on your success?

Funding.

If you’re a small business in Utah with dreams of expanding to global markets, you’re in luck. The U.S. Small Business Association (SBA)’s State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) offers grants to help cover the costs of bring your business to countries around the world.

Below are 5 things to know about the SBA STEP Grant.

1. 1. $500,000 is available in Utah.
2. 2. The maximum annual award for the SBA STEP Grant is $15,000.
3. 3. Small businesses must meet eligibility requirements.
4. 4. SBA STEP funds can be used for business expenses related to international expansion.
5. 5. Applying for the grant has a few steps.

1. $500,000 is available in Utah.

The SBA is making $500,000 available to Utah small businesses through STEP. These funds will be managed by the World Trade Center Utah (WTC Utah) and the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity (GOEO).

2. The maximum annual award for the SBA STEP Grant is $15,000.

Eligible small businesses may receive up to $15,000 in funding to cover business expenses related to expanding to an international market.

Grant recipients must provide a 25 percent cash match to their total grant award. A company receiving the maximum award will need to match $3,750.

3. Small businesses must meet eligibility requirements.

According to the SBA STEP Grant’s page,, your business must meet the requirements below:

• • An “eligible small business concern”
• • A for-profit business registered in Utah
• • Physically located and operational in Utah for at least one year
• • Not barred from federal funds
• • One or more full-time employees
• • Export-ready company seeking to export goods or services of U.S. origin or have at least 51 percent U.S. content
• • Sufficient resources to bear the costs associated with trade
• • Small businesses in accordance with SBA Small Business Standards

The following businesses are not eligible:

• • Nonprofits
• • Educational institutions or for-profit schools recruiting students
• • Law, accounting, and financial firms
• • Consulting agencies
• • Hospitality or tourism operators
• • Real estate developers
• • Multi-level marketing, direct sales, or network marketing companies
• • Foreign-based companies or companies more than 49 percent foreign owned
• • Companies, organizations, or individuals recruiting foreign direct investment
• • Companies engaged in illegal activity (federal or state law)
• • Companies that present performances of a sexual nature or specialize in selling products or services of a sexual nature
• • Companies getting more than one third of their gross annual revenue from legal gambling

4. SBA STEP funds can be used for business expenses related to international expansion.

These expenses include translation and localization services, travel to international trade shows, sales trips, or business meetings, preparing marketing materials for new markets, or using U.S. Department of Commerce services.

Permissible travel costs include economy airfare and baggage fees, ground transportation, parking, lodging, currency exchange fees, and meeting spaces.

Other expenses related to travel, like passports, visas, entertainment, etc. are not covered by SBA STEP Grant funding.

5. Applying for the SBA STEP Grant has a few steps.

First, you need to confirm that you’re eligible to apply for the grant. Begin by submitting the questionnaire on WTC Utah’s website.

If you’re eligible to apply, you’ll receive login credentials where you can complete the application.

Do you need translation or localization services for your company? Get a quick quote or email [email protected] to ask for service and pricing details.

You’re trying to communicate with parents about their child’s academic performance and get their support from home. The only challenge?

A language barrier.

Translation allows you to overcome that challenge, so the next thing to address is how to pay for it. Many districts aren’t aware that there is federal funding available to supplement state and local funding for translation in schools. We’ll cover the basics of federal funding under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Title I, Part A and Title III, Part A.

Translation Obligations and Funding

Schools are required to make information shared with parents accessible regardless of proficiency in English. They also may not charge parents for translation. Local and state public school funding are the primary resources for covering the costs of translation services. Ask your principal about how state and local school funding is allocated for translation at your school.

Supplemental federal funding is available to cover certain translation costs under IDEA, ESSA Title I, Part A, and ESSA Title III, Part A. While these laws cover educational needs more broadly, we’ll review what these programs require and cover specifically for translation below.

IDEA

IDEA ensures that students with disabilities have access to a free public education and receive any additional educational services they need. When it comes to conducting student assessments and communicating with parents who are not proficient in English, translation services are necessary.

IDEA funding may be used to pay for translation services that meet its requirements, including

• • student assessments,
• • notices about identification, evaluation, and educational placement of student,
• • requests for consent for educational services, and
• • notification of right to confidentiality.

ESSA Title I, Part A

Generally speaking, Title I funds can be used to fill Title I-specific requirements, including

• • achievement information,
• • report cards of state and local educational agencies,
• • Parents’ Right to Know,
• • school’s Title I plan,
• • school and parent programs, meetings, activities and planning for those events,
• • Parent and Family Engagement policy,
• • School Improvement identification and all necessary details and rights related to that identification, and
• • information about student identification as an English Learner and details about instruction programs.

Schools using Title I funding fall into two categories: Schoolwide Programs and Targeted Assistance Programs. Specific rules about funding use can vary based on which category your school falls into. Talk to your principal and district for more information about your school specifically.

Schoolwide Programs have at least 40 percent low-income student population. These schools can use Title I funds to benefit all students using a schoolwide plan based on a comprehensive needs assessment.

Targeted Assistance Programs offer supplementary education services to students selected to participate in Title I. These schools must use scientifically-based research.

ESSA Title III, Part A

You can use Title III funds to pay for translations of any required notices and communication to parents and guardians in Title III. This communication centers on student identification and placement in a language instruction program. You’ll need to provide details about the program, other program options available, how the student specifically will benefit, and information on how parents can be involved. If applicable, you’ll also need to notify parents of failure to meet the Title III Annual Measurable Achievement Objectives (AMAOs).

Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) and State Educational Agencies (SEAs) can use Title III funds to contract with a translation company to provide these notices. LEAs can also use Title III funds to cover supplemental translation and interpretation services that are specific to Title III services and students.

In other words, Title III funding cannot be used for translation required by other laws or regulatory entities, like the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR), IDEA, and Title I.

It may be that your school district has a contract with a translation company to do all of the translation work you need. The funding you use to pay for these services will change based on what regulatory requirement the document fills.

Understanding funding guidelines and availability will help you get the translation services you need to connect with parents and ensure your students have the support they need.

Need help with translation at your school? Get a quick quote or email [email protected] to ask for service and pricing details.

In today's interconnected world, it’s easier than ever to reach global markets. Even markets within the United States are linguistically diverse.

The only thing standing between you and tapping into these markets is a language barrier.

You need translation.

From your marketing to your software, translation will help you connect with more customers. So, what does translation look like?

As much as we’d like it to be a simple process of converting text, it’s more complex.

Translation Process

While every translation company has its specific processes, here’s what you can expect generally when working with a translation company:

1. 1. You’ll submit files that need translation.
2. 2. The company will review those files and the scope of your project. Your project details may include a style guide and a pre-approved terminology list. Once the whole project is reviewed, you’ll receive estimates of costs and timelines.
3. 3. Once you approve the project, the company will prepare the files and project details to send to its translators.
4. 4. Translators will complete the translation and send it back for review.
5. 5. The company will run quality assurance checks to ensure quality translation.
6. 6. Next, the company will prepare the final files to send to you.
7. 7. The company will run a final linguistic review of the translation in context.
8. 8. You’ll receive the final translation. If you have questions or concerns, you can work with the company to ensure the final product meets your needs and expectations.

Considerations for Translating Software and Technology

Translating software and websites goes beyond language. It includes making the user interface or website adaptable to your new user audience.

1. 1. Localization: Localization affects your user interface on your app and website. You’ll need to think about the user experience. Some languages are oriented right to left instead of left to right like English. When words and phrases are translated into other languages, the text length is rarely the same as the source text. This difference in text length can lead to a clunky interface and poor user experience. Using responsive design and planning for these adjustments will help you create a beautiful and easy-to-use final product.
   
   
2. 2. Technical Jargon: You may have specific technical terms you want translated a certain way. Or, you may have terms that need to remain untranslated for the best comprehension of your customers. Creating and sticking to a terminology list or glossary can help ensure clarity and customer satisfaction.
   
   
3. 3. Consistency: Just like your marketing team is consistent with your branding and company voice, you’ll want your translation to be as cohesive and strike a similar tone in the target language. Developing and following a company style guide in both the source and target languages helps ensure a consistent brand.

Beyond your user interface, you’ll also need to have supplemental documents translated, including legal notifications and support resources. You may need to provide additional or different legal notification to comply with local and regional regulations.

Translation and ROI

It’s worth paying for high quality translation because it carries a high ROI for your business. Translation expands your market reach, grows your online visibility, makes it easier to deliver a positive customer experience, helps you comply with regional regulations, and helps establish a positive brand presence in your new market.

1. 1. Market Reach: Translated marketing materials, product descriptions, and other customer communications make it easy for your target audience to connect with your brand and do business with you. Expanding market reach is a key ROI whether you are taking your business global or broadening your markets within the United States.
   
   
2. 2. SEO and Online Visibility: SEO is very competitive in the English language and is less competitive in others. There are also more users on search engines conducting searches in languages other than English. Translating your website helps you decrease the intensity of your online competition and grow your audience.
   
   
3. 3. Customer Satisfaction: Offering customer support and resources in their language improves customer satisfaction with your business and services. Afterall, no one is going to use an app that they don’t understand.
   
   
4. 4. Regulatory Compliance: Businesses operating in different countries often need to adhere to various regulations and standards. Translating legal and regulatory documents ensures compliance and prevents legal issues. Even in the United States, it’s sometimes required to offer information in languages that your employees understand.
   
   
5. 5. Positive Brand Presence: A bad translation can destroy your brand overseas because it shows a lack of preparation and a lack of interest in customers from your target region. Ensuring you have a quality translation protects the brand you’re building.

How to Find a Quality Translation Company

Getting a good translation requires context of where and how the language is being used in addition to understanding cultural norms and subtexts of a language.

Hiring your own translator can be a long, difficult process – you’ll need to verify how well they know the target language and their level of familiarity with your industry. When you’ve got a project to manage or have enough to do with writing the original language tech documents, it’s worth outsourcing that task to experts.

It’s much easier to vet translation companies and hire one. You just need to check four things:

1. 1. Expertise and Experience
2. 2. Translation Quality and Process
3. 3. Data Security and Privacy
4. 4. Reliability

Expertise and Experience

Consider how long the company has been in business, how experienced its translators are, and whether it can process the files you need accurately.

• • How experienced are the translators in the target language?
• • How knowledgeable are the translators in your industry?
• • What languages are available?
• • What types of files can the company process?

Translation Quality and Process

Learn about the company’s approach to translation and how it ensures you get a high-quality translation.

• • How does the company ensure an accurate, high-quality translation?
• • Does the company follow international standards set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)?
• • Does the company offer different levels of quality that can be adjusted based on your budget and timeline?

Data Security and Privacy

Whether you’re working with protected information or trying to maintain your proprietary information, you’ll need to ask how the company approaches data and privacy.

• • Does the company comply with regulatory requirements like HIPAA, FERPA, and GDPR?
• • Does the company sign non-disclosure agreements that will help protect your business?

Reliability

You’ve got a deadline, and you aim to impress. You need a reliable translation company.

• • What does the final translated product look like?
• • How does the company ensure that projects are on-budget and on-time?

Translation isn’t just an expense. It’s an investment in growing your business and being successful financially. Finding the right translation company will help you expand your market reach, improve your online presence, and reduce liability by complying with regulations.

Need help with translation? Get a quick quote or email [email protected] to ask for service and pricing details.