USD Knauss School of Business’s Dr. Eileen Daspro Receives $120,000 Grant to Provide Export Training to San Diego Hispanic Businesses

This grant, funded by GO-Biz*, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, will empower the Knauss School of Business to provide comprehensive export training in Spanish, assisting 20 San Diego businesses in their efforts to enter global markets.

Dr. Eileen Daspro, project lead and Faculty Director of International Business, emphasizes that currently only 1% of small businesses in the U.S. export, despite the fact that 95% of the world’s consumers reside outside the U.S. The business rationale for exporting is compelling: it facilitates global sales growth, enhances profitability, mitigates risks associated with reliance on a single market, and capitalizes on the U.S. brand reputation for high-quality, innovative products. Consequently, exporting firms consistently outperform their non-exporting counterparts in revenue, labor productivity, and overall growth.

According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), the primary reasons small businesses fail to export include a lack of awareness regarding global market opportunities, as well as challenges related to regulatory barriers and managing international transactions. 

The GO-Biz grant aims to bridge this gap through an innovative program called "Si Exporto," which will benefit 20 Hispanic small businesses in San Diego. This program will offer export training in Spanish, focusing on essential topics such as identifying foreign markets and customers, securing payment, and navigating the regulatory and logistical hurdles of export transactions.

Additionally, the grant will support Knauss International Business students the opportunity to participate in a paid consultancy project for these businesses during the summer of 2025. This initiative not only enhances access to crucial export services for underserved businesses in our San Diego community but also provides students with valuable opportunities to develop their international business skills while actively engaging with our local business community. As we conclude Hispanic Heritage Month, this initiative serves as a meaningful investment in building up small businesses in the community. 

Apply to the Si Exporto here: by December 15, 2024 for first consideration. Spaces are limited.

 

*Funded in part through a Grant with the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development.