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ACCELERATING your COMPANY’S INTERNATIONAL SUCCESS
The GlobalTarget™ program was created in 2005 by the Monte Ahuja College of Business Global Business Center at Cleveland State University, the SBDC Export Assistance Network, the U.S. Commercial Service and other regional and international organizations.
GlobalTarget membership provides a low-cost, interactive method to extend a company’s international resources to achieve an objective of global expansion.
By participating in the GlobalTarget program, manufacturing companies with sales from $2 million to $50 million that are expanding into foreign markets will gain knowledge, tools, current perspectives on operating in global markets and best practices in order to execute their global strategies more efficiently, effectively and quickly.
Throughout the year, companies will have an opportunity to work with:
EXPERIENCED MENTORS
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS FROM THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS TRADE COUNSELORS
learn
PROGRAM deliverables
Develop a comprehensive, professional international business strategy customized to your organization
Create a blueprint for your organization’s international expansion and framework for actionable, international tactics
Build your team’s global business savvy through best-practice technical seminars featuring distinguished experts
Gold Key or International Partner search services from U.S. Commerce Service (USEAC)
Access to one of three country or market studies 1) regional market potential evaluation; 2) a country pricing-focused study; or 3) a marketing and competition analysis
Special grant offerings totaling up to $6,000 to help development and operational efficiency
Build a relationship with experienced mentors
PROGRAM events
Mentor
TACTIC BUILDING #1
Customs, Importation,Supplier Diversity and Management, Global Shipping JAN 16, 2026
TACTIC BUILDING #2
Foreign Government Contracting, Export Controls, Market Vetting, Cyber Security, Legal Obligations
STRATEGY BUILDING #2
FEB 27, 2026
Qualifying Distributors, Sales, going to Market, Securing Contracts, Reveal of Market Studies APR 16, 2026 FINAL
GRADUATION – Will be held during the evening
I cannot say enough about what GlobalTarget, we probably know more about our customers than we ever have and more about our business.” – re LINK MEDICAL , GLOBALTARGET PARTICIPANT We’re grateful for the support. Sometimes you need an outside influence to help you grow.” – UDDERLY SMOOTH/REDEX
We went from no international customers to 20 – added 15 in the past year.” –
WHEN DOES GLOBALTARGET BEGIN?
Each session of GlobalTarget begins in November and concludes in June.
ARE THERE QUALIFICATIONS THAT MEMBER COMPANIES HAVE TO MEET?
Member companies must:
1) Have sales of at least $2 million
2) Be headquartered in Ohio
3) Have aspirations of expansion into foreign markets
WHICH COMPANIES MENTOR?
Mentor companies are recognized export leaders.
Our mentors have an average of eight years of service in the program. Many have gone through the program themselves. A complete mentor bio sheet will be provided to all companies.
WHAT WILL I BE ASKED TO DO?
Pre-session and post-session exercises help apply the concepts learned in the program. As your organization’s representatives move through the program, you will work with your mentor to craft your international business strategy.
HOW MUCH TIME DO I NEED TO COMMIT?
C-suite employees will commit three days over a 6 month period totaling 24 hours. An additional 12 hours of technical training is needed for other staff members.
WHAT IS THE COST OF PARTICIPATION?
There is a $3,500 one-year membership fee for each member company.
WHAT DOES THE MEMBERSHIP FEE INCLUDE?
The $3,500 membership fee includes the monthly education sessions, parking, meals and program administration costs. In addition, member companies receive one world-wide market prioritization research study (value $1050), and access to the U.S. Commercial Services International Partner search or the Gold Key Matching Service up to $950 per company.
HOW DO COMPANIES APPLY?
Download the application form: business.csuohio.edu/global/ globaltarget-Program
EMAIL: Nate Ward gbc@csuohio.edu