UTSA SBDC International Trade Center

What UTSA SBDC International Trade Center does

The SBDC International Trade Center is a publicly funded, nonprofit trade assistance organization hosted by the University of Texas at San Antonio and operating since 1992 as a specialty Small Business Development Center within the Texas South-West SBDC Network. It serves Texas-based small and medium-sized businesses seeking to enter or expand in international markets, delivering one-on-one international trade advising by CGBP-credentialed advisors, customized market research using state-of-the-art trade databases, and a portfolio of training programs including seminars, webinars, Export Spark Talks, and self-paced Export-U tutorials. All services are provided at no cost to clients and are fully confidential, and the center also operates two adjacent programs: the Texas International Business Accelerator (TIBA), launched in 2011 to advise foreign companies on FDI into Texas, and the Center for Global Development (CGD), which since 2003 has supported the launch of 285 SBDCs across 24 countries and trained more than 7,000 SBDC professionals internationally.

The business model is non-commercial: operating capacity is funded through State of Texas appropriations and a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, with the center accredited nationally by America's SBDC. The go-to-market motion is consultative and referral-driven, leveraging SBDC network channels and partnerships with USEAC, the University of Georgia SBDC, NASBITE, and the SBA Online Learning Center. No proprietary technology platform is disclosed; the technology stack consists of state-of-the-art trade databases and market research tools used by an in-house research team — a capability the organization describes as unique among regional trade organizations. In 2025, clients of the center generated more than $118 million in sales, created 283 jobs, retained 1,915 jobs, and secured $27 million in capital investment across hundreds of new international markets.

Name

UTSA SBDC International Trade Center

Legal name

SBDC International Trade Center

Website

https://texastrade.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The UTSA SBDC International Trade Center is a publicly funded nonprofit hosted by the University of Texas at San Antonio that provides free, confidential international trade advising, market research, and training to Texas small and medium-sized businesses seeking to enter or expand in global markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Trade Advisory Services

NAICS

Management Consulting Services (54161)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Economic Growth, Trade & Private Sector Development Programs (BPADABAF)

Keywords

• International trade advising
• Export market research
• Small business development
• Foreign direct investment
• Trade training programs

Headquarters

HQ city

San Antonio

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: The SBDC International Trade Center operates as a publicly funded nonprofit. It is funded in part through the State of Texas and a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Services to clients are provided at no cost. The organization does not generate commercial revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The UTSA SBDC International Trade Center provides customized, no-cost, and confidential one-on-one international trade advising, customized market research using leading trade databases, and innovative training programs (seminars, webinars, self-paced tutorials) to small and medium-sized Texas companies seeking to enter or expand in international markets. It also runs the Texas International Business Accelerator (TIBA) for foreign companies investing in Texas and the Center for Global Development (CGD) which builds SBDC networks abroad.

Product overview

The SBDC International Trade Center operates as a service-oriented organization providing international trade assistance through multiple interconnected programs. The core offerings include: (1) One-on-One Trade Advising by CGBP-credentialed advisors for export-import guidance, (2) Customized Market Research using state-of-the-art tools and trade databases, and (3) Trade Training including seminars, webinars, and self-paced online resources. Supporting sub-brands include the Texas International Business Accelerator (TIBA) for foreign direct investment into Texas, and the Center for Global Development (CGD) for building SBDC networks globally. Self-service tools include Export and Import Readiness Self-Assessments. All services are customized, confidential, and offered at no cost to clients.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• One-on-One International Trade Advising Confidential, customized one-on-one international trade advising delivered by CGBP-credentialed International Business Advisors for Texas companies at every stage—from first-time exporters to experienced firms expanding into new global markets. Offered at no cost.
• Customized Market Research In-house market research team providing data-driven insights using state-of-the-art tools and leading trade databases to support market entry and expansion decisions for Texas businesses.
• Cutting-Edge Trade Training Training programs delivering practical guidance on international trade, including market-specific seminars, webinars, and skill-based sessions led by industry experts, providing actionable knowledge for exporters and importers.
• Texas International Business Accelerator (TIBA) Program supporting foreign companies in establishing and expanding operations in Texas by providing customized foreign direct investment advising, tailored specialized research, and business development services. Since 2011, TIBA has served foreign companies from more than 40 countries.
• Center for Global Development (CGD) Partnership with governments, academic institutions, and economic development organizations worldwide to build, strengthen, and connect SBDC networks. CGD provides training, technical assistance, and strategic advisory services and uses a proprietary Five-Phase Approach to National SBDC Network Development.
• Export-U Online Training Self-paced online export tutorials developed in partnership with the U.S. Export Assistance Center (USEAC) in Atlanta and the University of Georgia SBDC, designed for new and experienced exporters seeking to strengthen export knowledge.
• Export Spark Talks Webinar series covering export-related topics and international trade skills led by industry experts.

Quantifiable outcome

• In 2025, clients generated $118 million in sales, created 283 jobs, retained 1,915 jobs, and secured $27 million in capital investment

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe SBDC International Trade Center is hosted by the University of Texas at San Antonio. UTSA provides institutional support, infrastructure, and acts as the parent organization for this SBDC specialty center as well as the Texas International Business Accelerator and Center for Global Development.
• Texas South-West SBDC NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe SBDC International Trade Center is a specialty center within the Texas South-West SBDC Network, which provides regional coordination and support for SBDC services across Texas.
• America's SBDCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe SBDC International Trade Center is nationally accredited by America's SBDC, the umbrella organization for Small Business Development Centers across the United States.
• U.S. Export Assistance Center (USEAC) - AtlantamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe SBDC International Trade Center partners with the U.S. Export Assistance Center in Atlanta for export training webinars, helping businesses assess export readiness and understand global market research tools.
• University of Georgia SBDCmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates with the University of Georgia SBDC on export training programs, leveraging their expertise in international trade education and resources.
• Export-UsupportingTechnology or IntegrationSelf-paced online export tutorials are available through the Export-U website, which the SBDC International Trade Center directs clients to for additional training resources.
• NASBITE (National Association of Certified Business Brokers and International Trade Professionals)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe center promotes the NASBITE Trade Passport Training Program as an additional training opportunity for professionals seeking international trade certification.
• SBA Online Learning CentersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe center directs clients to the SBA Online Learning Center as a resource for additional training and education in small business development and international trade.
• Center for Global Development (CGD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCGD is an affiliated UTSA program that partners with governments, academic institutions, and economic development organizations worldwide to build SBDC networks. Since 2003, CGD has led development of SBDC networks outside the United States and serves as the primary technical assistance provider for the Global Small Business Network (GSBN).

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT): UK government department supporting exports, investment, and business growth with a network of trade advisors. Analogous as a national-level publicly funded trade advisory and investment promotion body.
• U.S. Commercial Service (International Trade Administration): Federal trade-promotion agency within the Department of Commerce that helps U.S. companies export and helps foreign firms invest in the United States. It is a much larger incumbent that overlaps with the subject's trade advising and FDI-attraction missions.
• JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization): Government-affiliated organization that promotes two-way trade and FDI between Japan and the rest of the world. Comparable as a much larger, well-funded institutional model for trade advising plus inbound/outbound investment facilitation.

Direct peers

• NASBITE International: National association that certifies international trade professionals (CGBP) and runs the Trade Passport Training Program. The subject organization actively partners with and refers clients to NASBITE, sharing a common professional standard and target audience.
• Export-U: Self-paced online export training platform co-developed with the U.S. Export Assistance Center and UGA SBDC, and explicitly referenced by the subject organization as a partner training resource for its clients. Same product category (export training) for the same SMB audience.
• University of Georgia SBDC International Trade Center: A university-hosted SBDC international trade specialty center that partners with the subject organization on export training. It offers a near-identical mix of one-on-one trade advising, training, and market research to Georgia SMBs.
• America's SBDC: National umbrella organization that accredits and coordinates the U.S. SBDC network, including the Texas South-West SBDC Network that hosts the subject. It is the most direct institutional peer, sharing the same SBDC mission, funding lineage, and service model.
• U.S. Export Assistance Center (USEAC): Department of Commerce field offices that provide export readiness counseling, market research, and trade finance guidance to U.S. SMBs. Operates as a direct federal counterpart to the subject's export advising program, and is already a collaboration partner.
• World Trade Center San Antonio: Local San Antonio trade organization that promotes international business and trade for South Texas companies. Operates in the same geography with overlapping international trade and FDI-focused services.

Regional players

• Texas Economic Development & Tourism (Office of the Governor): State-level economic development entity that promotes business investment in Texas, including foreign direct investment. Operates in the same Texas geography with overlapping FDI attraction objectives but a broader scope than the subject's TIBA program.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/texastrade
• Facebookfacebook.com/TexasTrade
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/international-trade-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about UTSA SBDC International Trade Center