Grant funds available for tradeshow exhibition for Indiana Grown members

Indiana Grown announced Wednesday $25,000 in grant funding for Indiana Grown members interested in exhibiting at tradeshows. Grants will be awarded to businesses with commercially ready products who want to expand.

Tradeshows offer vital exposure to unique customers and business-to-business clients, but barriers for members include the booth fee, travel expenses, set up costs and more. This grant was designed to alleviate some of those costs to ensure Hoosier businesses are highlighted and Indiana-made products can be enjoyed across the U.S. and globe.

“These tradeshow grants are vital for small and large Indiana Grown businesses to compete on a national, or even global level,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, who serves as Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “Indiana Grown members and their exceptional products are able to enter new markets thanks to some of the costs saved by these tradeshow grants.”

Indiana Grown members could be awarded grants in the sum of $1,000, $3,000, or $5,000. This is a reimbursement grant; no up-front costs will be paid.

Eligible expenses

• Booth space rental
• Booth design, build, shipping, material handling, installation, and other trade show related fees
• Trade show auxiliary service fees (trash, sampling, electrical, etc.)

Eligibility

• Must be an Indiana Grown Member
• Must not be using any other grant or cost sharing program for this trade show, including Branded Program and IN-STEP
• Must have a commercially ready product with existing sales
• Must use funds to exhibit at trade show (must identify which trade show in application)
• Must be a small business – according to the U.S. Small Business Administration

“Multiple Indiana Grown members were able to attend tradeshows across the country last year and expand their business opportunities,” Indiana Grown Director Caroline Patrick said. “We hope to continue showcasing and supporting Indiana Grown businesses across the country and globe through offering this grant program.”

Indiana Grown members interested in applying for this grant, viewing scoring criteria and post-award requirements can find more information here. Any questions can be directed to indianagrown@isda.in.gov.