What Saskatchewan Trade & Export Partnership does

Saskatchewan Trade & Export Partnership (STEP) is a non-profit, government-affiliated trade development organization founded in 1996 and headquartered in Regina, Saskatchewan, with a secondary office in Saskatoon. Its functional mandate is to help Saskatchewan-based businesses — particularly manufacturers, agri-food producers, mining/energy suppliers, and technology companies — develop, diversify, and execute international export strategies. STEP delivers services through a combination of outgoing trade missions to global markets, incoming buyer events hosted in Saskatchewan, B2B matchmaking, market intelligence (including the annual State of Trade report and quarterly Global Ventures publication), one-on-one advisory counseling, and structured programs such as the Trade Accelerator Program (TAP). It also administers a suite of funding programs including the Market Diversification Program, U.S. Market Funding Program, U.S. Agri-Food Funding Program, Business Advisory Services Funding, Product Modification/Certification Support, and Premium Incoming Buyer Funding, most of which are restricted to STEP members.

STEP's business model is a hybrid of government grant funding and membership-based recurring revenue. The organization is primarily resourced by Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), receiving approximately $5.5M in non-repayable federal grants in the first half of 2026 alone (including $5.1M for tariff-driven market diversification and $383K in Regional Innovation Ecosystems funding), supplemented by co-hosting and program partnership with the Government of Saskatchewan. Membership fees provide a secondary, recurring revenue stream, while select services such as workshops are priced à la carte (e.g., $50 + GST for the Prairies Defence Readiness Workshop). STEP's distribution is relationship-intensive: it coordinates with the Saskatchewan Trade & Export Development Mexico Office, the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service, foreign consulates (Shanghai), and industry associations (CADSI, SIMSA, Saskatchewan Aviation Council) to deliver market access across roughly 30 countries spanning North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and Oceania. STEP does not build proprietary technology products; its platform is a web-based resource hub (sasktrade.com) supporting membership management, event registration, and the CUSMA 2026 Exporter Resource Centre.

Name

Saskatchewan Trade & Export Partnership

Legal name

Saskatchewan Trade & Export Partnership

Website

https://sasktrade.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Saskatchewan Trade & Export Partnership (STEP) is a non-profit, government-funded trade development organization based in Regina, Saskatchewan, that helps the province's manufacturers, agri-food producers, and technology companies expand into international markets through trade missions, market intelligence, advisory services, and export funding programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Development Services

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Export Promotion & Market Access Support (BPADAMAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Trade Facilitation, Customs & Border Regulatory Cooperation (BPADANAG), Global Contractor Engagement & Cross-Border Payments (BPACAGAI), Regional Economic Integration & Economic Corridors (BPADAMAH), International Benefits Administration & Global Benefits Brokerage (BPACAHAG)

Keywords

• Trade development services
• Export market intelligence
• International trade missions
• Export funding programs
• Global trade advisory

Headquarters

HQ city

Regina

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: STEP operates as a non-profit trade partnership funded primarily through government programs including PrairiesCan regional development funding and federal trade development initiatives. The organization receives grants to support trade missions, market intelligence services, and export development programs for Saskatchewan businesses.
2. Membership Fees: STEP offers membership programs for Saskatchewan exporters with tiered access to services including trade missions, funding programs, market intelligence, and B2B matchmaking. Most trade missions and funding programs are restricted to STEP members only.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Saskatchewan Trade & Export Partnership (STEP) is a nonprofit, government-affiliated trade development organization that helps Saskatchewan exporters expand into international markets. It delivers trade missions (outgoing and incoming), market intelligence research, one-on-one export advisory counseling, the Trade Accelerator Program (TAP), international business trip support, and administers multiple export funding programs including the Market Diversification Program (MDP) and U.S. Market Funding Program, primarily to members.

Product overview

Saskatchewan Trade & Export Partnership (STEP) is a trade and export development organization that offers a comprehensive suite of services designed to help Saskatchewan businesses expand into international markets. The organization provides both direct support services (Trade Development Services, Market Intelligence, Trade Accelerator Program, Advisory Services) and funding programs (Market Diversification Program, U.S. Market Funding, Business Advisory Services). STEP organizes outgoing trade missions and incoming buyer events, maintains a member directory for networking, and publishes the Global Ventures quarterly magazine. The organization focuses on multiple sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, aerospace, defence, and mining, helping exporters navigate regulations, find buyers, and grow their international sales.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Trade Development Services Core trade support service that helps Saskatchewan-based exporting businesses develop international business opportunities, identify target markets, and execute market entry strategies across multiple sectors including manufacturing, agri-food, aerospace, defence, and mining.
• Outgoing Trade Missions & Incoming Buyers Events Organized trade delegations of Saskatchewan exporters to international trade shows and markets, plus hosted incoming buyer events such as the Saskatchewan Global Commodities Showcase and Food Ingredients Buyers Mission, providing booth coordination, B2B matchmaking, and networking support.
• Market Intelligence Services Research and analysis service that provides Saskatchewan exporters with market insights, trade data, regulatory overviews, and intelligence to support informed decisions about international market entry and diversification.
• Trade Accelerator Program (TAP) Intensive, structured program that accelerates the international growth of Saskatchewan companies through guided training, mentorship, and market entry support to help them become export-ready.
• Advice, Guidance & Counseling One-on-one advisory service providing Saskatchewan exporters with personalized guidance on export processes, regulations, compliance, market entry strategies, and international business development.
• International Business Trip Support Coordination and logistics support service for Saskatchewan businesses traveling internationally for trade purposes, including mission planning, in-market support, and trade activity coordination.
• Market Diversification Program (MDP) Funding program that provides financial support to Saskatchewan exporters to help them diversify their export markets beyond traditional destinations such as the United States.
• U.S. Market Funding Program Funding program that provides financial support to Saskatchewan businesses entering or expanding their presence in the United States market.
• U.S. Agri-Food Funding Program Specialized funding program providing financial support to Saskatchewan agri-food exporters seeking to enter or expand in the United States market.
• Business Advisory Services Funding Program Funding program that provides financial support to Saskatchewan businesses seeking professional advisory services related to export development and international market entry.
• Product Modification/Certification Support Program Funding program that helps Saskatchewan companies modify their products or obtain certifications required to access international markets.
• Premium Incoming Buyer Funding Funding program that supports Saskatchewan businesses hosting international buyers visiting the province to view local products and capabilities.
• STEP Membership Program Membership program that provides Saskatchewan exporters with tiered access to STEP's full portfolio of trade missions, funding programs, market intelligence, B2B matchmaking, and advisory services. Most trade missions and funding programs are restricted to STEP members only.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $8.1 million in federal funding deployed to Saskatchewan businesses through tariff response initiatives

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Government of SaskatchewancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe provincial government co-hosts STEP and partners on events including the Saskatchewan Aerospace and Defence Forum, State of Trade reports, and export development initiatives.
• Saskatchewan Industrial and Mining Suppliers Association (SIMSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSIMSA partners with STEP on defence sector awareness initiatives including the Webinar: Overview of the Defence Sector in Canada and Prairies Defence Readiness Workshop.
• Saskatchewan Aviation CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting organization for the Saskatchewan Aerospace and Defence Forum, helping connect aviation and aerospace suppliers with defence sector opportunities.
• Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCADSI coordinates the Canada Pavilion at international defence shows where STEP hosts the Saskatchewan pavilion, including DSEI Germany 2027.
• Saskatchewan Trade & Export Development Mexico OfficecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSTEP collaborates with the Saskatchewan office in Mexico City for trade missions including Food Tech Summit & Expo Mexico, providing local market support for Saskatchewan exporters.
• Canadian Consulate General in ShanghaiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorks with STEP on China International Import Expo participation, providing consular support and business matching services.
• Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) – MexicominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with STEP on webinars and trade missions to Mexico, providing market intelligence and buyer connections through the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• ProColombia: Colombia's national trade promotion agency. Directly comparable as a government-affiliated organization running trade missions, B2B matchmaking, and export development programs for domestic businesses across multiple international markets.
• Invest Ontario: Ontario's provincial investment and trade attraction agency. Directly comparable provincial mandate with similar services including market intelligence, trade missions, and foreign buyer engagement for Ontario-based exporters.
• Alberta Export Expansion Program: Alberta's provincial export development initiative delivered through government and partners. Directly comparable as a Prairies-region counterpart focused on helping Alberta-based exporters access international markets.
• Trade and Invest BC: British Columbia's provincial trade and investment promotion agency. Directly comparable to STEP as a sub-national government-affiliated organization offering trade missions, market intelligence, and export advisory to in-province businesses across similar sectors.

Broad incumbents

• Export Development Canada (EDC): Canada's federal Crown corporation for trade finance and export development. Operates a much broader portfolio (financing, insurance, bonding) than STEP, but overlaps in market intelligence, B2B matchmaking, and trade mission support for Canadian exporters.
• Enterprise Ireland: Ireland's government enterprise development agency supporting Irish exporters in international markets. Functionally analogous to STEP in combining trade promotion, advisory services, and funding programs, though at a national level and with broader mandate.
• Department for Business and Trade (UK): UK government department responsible for trade promotion and export support. Compares to STEP in providing trade missions, market intelligence, and export advisory, though at vastly greater scale and with national scope.
• NZ Trade and Enterprise (NZTE): New Zealand's national economic development and trade promotion agency. Provides comparable services to STEP — trade missions, market research, capability building, and international buyer connections — for NZ exporters.
• Canadian Trade Commissioner Service (TCS): Federal service within Global Affairs Canada that supports Canadian exporters in foreign markets. Overlaps with STEP on trade missions, B2B matchmaking, and market intelligence, but operates nationally rather than provincially.

Regional players

• World Trade Center Saskatoon: Saskatoon-based World Trade Center offering trade services, training, and international business connections. Closely comparable in regional scope to STEP, with overlapping membership-driven trade development services in Saskatchewan.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/SaskTrade
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/saskatchewan-trade-and-export-partnership

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Saskatchewan Trade & Export Partnership