By using the STEP resources, envirotech companies will make themselves more attractive to both public and private financing sources. New environmental or energy technology companies often struggle without comprehensive business planning and financial expertise. A sound technology will not succeed without a sound business foundation. To address this problem, the STEP program requires all companies seeking assistance to submit a business plan for review. STEP can then coordinate assistance through referrals to the appropriate public and quasi-public agencies.
STEP can also help identify short and long term market goals and needs.
Technology Demonstration and Purchasing STEP provides opportunities to demonsrate, evaluate, and improve a technology's capabilities at state owned properties. These properties are ideally suited to meet the demonstration needs of an array of innovative envirotechnologies under a range of different operational and environmental conditions. STEP furthers its mission by helping promising new technologies gain the demonstration track record needed for financing, permitting, or commercialization. In addition, successful demonstration can lead to state purchasing of the technology. Expedited Permitting and Guidance Technological risks, regulatory uncertainties, and time required for permit review can pose barriers to the development of innovative technologies.