Emerging markets: designed for cleantech, Colorado's CO-EXist program has helped 70 Colorado companies build export ties.

• Author: Peterson, Eric
• Position: SPECIAL SECTION

NODDING TO THE POPULAR PRO-TOLERANCE TAILGATE adornment, CO-EXist "is no purple bumper sticker," says Sandi Moilanen, director of the OEDIT's international division. Short for Colorado Export or Innovative and Sustainable Technologies, "It was designed to help Colorado's cleantech industry."

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The Governor's Office of Economic Development arid International Trade (OEDIT) launched the CO-EXist program in 2010. Funded partially by a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce, it has focused specifically on getting Colorado cleat tech to buyers in China and Mexico, based in large part On existing trade tie with those countries. "We studied where there was real growth Potential," says Moilanen. "We thought we could make a difference in those two markets."

Originally slated to end at the end of 2012. C0-EXist was extended through at least, late 2013 in September and is in the process of expanding into Canada and Japan. The four-year budget: about $1.1 million, with federal money making up roughly a third of the funding. The money is used to help Colorado cleantech companies expand internationally by helping offset assorted export-related costs. Companies are eligible for up to $4.500 in matching funds annually. The program also provides technical assistance and support for track shows and other events. But it's hard to put a price tag on the networking groundwork that's well-worn terrain the OEDIT. "The value-add is we set up B-to-B meetings," says Moilanen.

The payoff has been huge. To date, 70 Colorado companies have exported about $31 million of cleantech goods and services with CO-EXist assistance. "We thought we would hit $36 million by the end of the program and we are well on our way to hitting it, says Moilanen, noting that a huge sale that could immediately more than double that total is "in the works." And the bang for each federal buck is even higher: Only $120.000 has been spent to date, making For nearly $250 in exports per federal dollar spent.

Jorge Diaz, CO-EXist program administrator, led a group of representatives from six Colorado companies to the Green Expo in Mexico City in September. "It is probably the most...