Case Study
DeepWater Exploration awarded $11K+ in STEP grants with WTCSD’s support
ServiceEconomic Incentive Consulting
ServiceExport/Logistics Consulting
December 2025
DeepWater Exploration (DWE) is a San Diego-based company developing cutting-edge subsea computer vision and sensing technologies that advance autonomy in the maritime industry.
As DWE expanded into global sales, it faced the challenge of navigating international market-entry resources and securing the right incentives to accelerate export growth.
COMPANY
DEEPWATER EXPLORATION’S CHALLENGE
As DWE continued to grow and enter new international markets, the company turned to World Trade Center San Diego (WTCSD) for support identifying the right export resources to fuel its global strategy. DWE needed guidance around leveraging trade shows, foreign partner searches, and marketing channels to reach customers in competitive target markets such as Japan and Northern Europe. Accessing these opportunities was critical to strengthening DWE’s export revenue, building international relationships, and supporting job growth tied to its expanding operations.
EDC SOLUTION AND SUPPORT PROVIDED
As the Export Small Business Development Center, WTCSD provided hands-on advising to help DWE align its export strategy with the U.S. Small Business Administration’s State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) to become a competitive grant applicant. WTCSD worked closely with the DWE team to identify eligible expenses, prepare compelling grant application materials, and align activities across multiple rounds of funding.
Leveraging its trade and investment network, WTCSD also guided DWE’s participation in major industry events, worked with the U.S. Commercial Service to coordinate an International Partner Search in Japan, and supported the company in developing localized marketing materials. This structured approach enabled DWE to maximize STEP resources while advancing targeted outreach in high-priority markets.
VALUE DERIVED
With WTCSD’s support, DWE secured three STEP grants totaling more than $11,000 in export funding.
These awards strengthened the company’s global presence through activities such as:
- Exhibiting at the International WorkBoat Show, where DWE connected with 57 international companies and closed deals with 8 of them.
- Launching targeted maritime technology advertisements reaching more than 11,000 global companies.
- Successfully established traction in Japan, where 10 percent of its 2025 export revenue originated. Through the International Partner Search, DWE engaged six Japanese companies, entered advanced negotiations with three, and hosted one in San Diego, with additional delegations scheduled to visit in October.
Since November 2024 (the time of WorkBoat), DWE has sold units to 70 new companies in Northern Europe and Japan alone, with more than half becoming returning customers in 2025. Over the last year, DWE successfully doubled its team size, hiring six full-time employees, and aims to continue this growth with at least 12 new hires in 2026.
“WTCSD and Export SBDC’s hands-on STEP grant advising with Simona Racek was instrumental in helping us secure the grants and expand our international reach. Their guidance and network facilitated many strong partnerships and opportunities that continue to benefit DWE to this day.”
—Jake Johnson, Marketing & Application Engineer, Deep Water Exploration