Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE

Eighteen Southwestern Illinois-based entrepreneurs and their innovative business concepts have been selected to move into the second round of the Metro East’s 12th annual business plan competition.

The Metro East Startup Challenge, a product of the Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, welcomes entrepreneurs and new businesses from a nine-county area of Southwestern Illinois with further expansion into Fayette, Montgomery and Macoupin counties. Nea...

The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is proud to announce the appointment of Schneidine Louis as the new Director of the International Trade Center (ITC).

Louis brings a wealth of international experience to the role, having served as a diplomat and holding a master’s degree in international business with a concentration in global supply chain and logistics from Georgia State University. Her expertise in expo...

The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at SIUE has been narrowing the digital divide in St. Clair and Madison Counties by partnering with the Tech Access Group, (TAG). Founded as a social enterprise with a mission to provide digital access through refurbished devices, broadband connectivity and digital skills training—TAG is set to open its new Belleville location in late August 2025.

What makes TAG different from many organizations attempting to fill similar gaps is its ...

Entrepreneurs and new business startups are invited to compete in the 2025 Metro East Start-Up Challenge (MESC), Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's 12th annual regional business plan competition.

The MESC is organized by the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at SIUE. The purpose of the Challenge is to identify, encourage, and support entrepreneurs and business startups across the SBDC’s service area, including Jersey, Calhoun, Madison,...

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Illinois Small Business Development Center for the Metro East is excited to partner with the Illinois APEX Accelerator at WIU, Metro East Realtist Collective (MERC) and FCB Banks to provide an informational seminar to local small businesses and individuals.

The event aims to educate attendees in the Metro East on how to build a solid business foundation, navigate government contracting, business and personal financing, as well as home ownershi...

Local entrepreneur and fitness advocate Heather Greenwood, owner of Raise the Bar—a 24-hour gym that has served the Hillsboro community since 2016—is thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of a complementary business venture: a state-of-the-art wellness spa, which opened on Monday, July 7. The new spa opened with assistance from the Illinois Small Business Development Center for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Raise the Bar was founded with the visio...

 
Something electric is happening in downtown Alton. The Wedge, powered by SIUE, is turning up the energy this July with a lineup of dynamic events that bring together entrepreneurs, visionaries, and changemakers from across the region.

“At The Wedge, we’re not just hosting events—we’re building a culture of possibility. July’s l...

Local favorite Tropical Sno Caseyville, founded by Beth Schwarz and Jeff Schwarz with assistance from the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, is celebrating its fifth anniversary on July 2 with community festivities, customer giveaways, and the exciting debut of its newest offering—Rolling Roast Cold Brew.

What started as a family initiative during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic has blossomed into a seasonal staple and c...

June Lineup Features Free Legal Support, Networking Events, and Community Collaboration Sessions Focused on Digital Equity 

The Wedge Powered by SIUE, announces its June programming lineup designed to empower small businesses, foster community connections, and drive regional economic development. The events offer practical tools, expert insights, and collaborative opportunities for entrepreneurs, community leaders, and residents across the Metro East region.

As part of AltonWorks' commu...

The greater Alton/St. Louis Metro Region took a bold step into the future today as community and regional leaders gathered to celebrate the grand opening of The Wedge Powered by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The ribbon-cutting ceremony officially launched the 55,000-square-foot social impact hub, research lab, think tank, and workspace designed to drive innovation and economic growth across the bi-state ...

November 1, 2024 The Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE announces the winners of its 11th Annual Metro East Startup Challenge. The 2024 business plan competition attracted around 35 entrepreneurs to compete for a portion of a $28,000 prize package.

Moxie Pelvic Health and Wellness, of Maryville was awarded the first-place prize of $10,000. Dr. Amber D. Da Gama Rose founded Moxie Pelvic Health and Wellness in October 2023 to offer pelvic floor physical therapy to local women, men and child...

Nineteen Southwestern Illinois-based entrepreneurs and their innovative business concepts have been selected to move into the second round of the 11th annual SIUE Metro East SBDC business plan competition.

The Metro East Startup Challenge welcomes entrepreneurs and new businesses from a nine-county area of Southwestern Illinois with further expansion into Fayette, Montgomery and Macoupin counties. Nearly 40 entrepreneurs expressed interest in the regional competition this year, according to Jo ...

Entrepreneurs and new business startups are invited to compete in the 2024 Metro East Start-Up Challenge (MESC), Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's 11th annual regional business plan competition.

The MESC is organized by the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at SIUE. The purpose of the Challenge is to identify, encourage, and support entrepreneurs and business startups across the SBDC’s service area, including Jersey, Calhoun, Madison,...

The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) International Trade Center (ITC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville announces the successful completion of a highly productive trade and educational mission to Lima, Perú. Co-led by Laura Wolff, instructor in the SIUE School of Business, and ITC Director Silvia Torres Bowman, who hails from Perú, the mission aimed to strengthen ties between SIUE and esteemed institutions in the South American country.

Members of the SIU...

The second place winner in the 2023 Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Metro East Start-Up Challenge (MESC) is Toast & Table, a retail kitchen supply store and educational cooking space. The women-owned business, founded by Stacy Fangmeyer and Amanda Krause in 2022, will host a grand opening at  227 W 1st St, Unit B in O’Fallon on Saturday, April 27.

Fangmeyer and Krause designed Toast & Table...

Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE announced the winners of its 10th Annual Metro East Startup Challenge. The 2023 business plan competition attracted around 40 entrepreneurs to compete for a portion of a $28,000 prize package.

Earth Candy, of Troy Illinois, was awarded the first-place prize of $10,000.  Earth Candy, owned by David Huniak and Joshua Douglas, is a retail operation that creates, manufactures and sells unique acidified foods.

Toast and Table, located in O’Fal...

Silvia Torres Bowman, director of the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and International Trade Center (ITC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, appeared with other senior export advisors on a September 26 panel presented by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). “Expand your Exports:  Experts Panel” featured Torres Bowman and several Hispanic speakers during SBA’s promotion of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Torres Bowman, a native Peruvian, Ameri...

Entrepreneurs and new business startups are invited to compete in the 2023 Metro East Start-Up Challenge (MESC), Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s 10th annual regional business plan competition.

The MESC is organized by the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at SIUE. The purpose of the challenge is to identify, encourage and support entrepreneurs and business startups across the SBDC’s service area, including Jersey, Calhoun, Madison, Bond...

In 1961, President Kennedy signed an executive order reviving the World War II “E” symbol of excellence to honor and recognize America’s exporters. On Tuesday, June 6, the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and International Trade Center (ITC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville received the “E” award for export service at the 62nd anniversary of the award ceremony at the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The award is the highest recognition a ...

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s School of Business, and The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and International Trade Centers (ITC) for the Metro East at SIUE are proud to announce the inaugural Fuel the Future event. The event will offer local small business representatives the opportunity to learn about the no-cost services available to them through these SIUE centers for business development and in particular exporting. Additionally, the event will pro...

The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has announced the winners of its 9^th Annual Metro East Startup Challenge (MESC). The 2022 business plan competition attracted more than 39 entrepreneurs to compete for a $25,000 prize package.   

Highland Emporium in Highland was awarded the first-place prize of $10,000. Highland Emporium, owned by Carol Eckhoff, is a retail store that provides a locale for m...

An award-winning BBQ sauce, innovative motorcycle parts and components, industrial paint and specialty markers, and touch screen purses that were designed as a way for women and girls alike to safely, securely and fashionably carry their phones are a few of the products from southern Illinois that could soon be in hot demand outside U.S. borders.

That’s because the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Illinois SBDC International Trade Center (ITC) has continued its customized...

Nineteen southwestern Illinois-based entrepreneurs and their innovative business concepts have been selected to move into the second round of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Metro East Start-Up Challenge (MESC).

The annual business plan competition, now in its ninth year, welcomes entrepreneurs and new businesses from a nine-county area of southwestern Illinois and has been expanded to include Fayette and Montgomery counties.

“We’re extremely pleased with the sustained ...

Entrepreneurs and new business startups are invited to compete in Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s ninth annual regional business plan competition: the 2022 Metro East Start-Up Challenge (MESC).

The MESC is organized by the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at SIUE. The purpose of the Challenge is to identify, encourage, and support entrepreneurs and business startups across the SBDC’s service area, including Jersey, Calhoun, Madison,...

The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is proud to partner with colleagues at the Illinois SBDC International Trade Center (ITC) Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) at the Joseph Center to support Operation Ten City Tour: St. Louis.

“We are excited to partner with the SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE in this venture,” said Director of the Illinois SBDC-ITC-PTAC at the Joseph Center Andy Pham. &#...

The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is happy to announce the winners of its 8^th Annual Metro East Start-Up Challenge (MESC). The 2021 business plan competition attracted more than 25 entrepreneurs to compete for a $25,000 prize package. 

A2 Creative, Inc--3D Gloop!, of Edwardsville, was awarded the first-place prize of $10,000.  A2 Creative, Inc--3D Gloop! creates unparalleled, specifically-engineered ad...

The southern Illinois region has long needed a customized, action-oriented export training initiative to put local businesses on the international map. Now, five regional businesses have benefited from such an opportunity, EXPORT NOW.

Presented by the Illinois SBDC International Trade Center (ITC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, in partnership with the Southwest Illinois Trade and Investment Council, LR International and the Illinois District Export Council, with financial support...

Fifteen Southwestern Illinois-based entrepreneurs and their innovative business concepts have been selected to move into the second round of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s 8^th annual Metro East Startup Challenge.

The Metro East Startup Challenge welcomes entrepreneurs and new businesses from a nine-county area of Southwestern Illinois, and this year expanded to include Fayette and Montgomery Counties. More than 40 entrepreneurs expressed interest in the regional competition t...

ArtSculpt International, of Fairview Heights, is the winner of the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s seventh annual Metro East Startup Challenge (MESC).  The 2020 business plan competition attracted more than 25 entrepreneurs to compete for award prizes totaling $20,000. 

ArtSculpt International, who received $10,000 for first place, is a mosaic tile art company in Fairview Heights and is owned by ...

Seven Southwestern Illinois-based entrepreneurs and their innovative business concepts have been selected to move into the final round of the 2020 Metro East Start-Up Challenge (MESC), Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s 7th annual regional business plan competition.

More than 25 entrepreneurs expressed interest in the regional competition this year, according to Jo Ann DiMaggio May, director of the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at ...

The COVID-19 pandemic is causing unprecedented disruption to the global economy, which is causing severe negative impacts to small and mid-sized businesses.

Through its federal partner, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) via the CARES Act COVID-19 supplemental funding, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network remains at the center of the national economic recovery effort, supporting small businesses, so they can survive, recover and position themselves for future growth....

A dozen Southwestern Illinois-based entrepreneurs and their innovative business concepts have been selected to move into the second round of the 7th annual Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Metro East Start-Up Challenge (MESC) business plan competition.

More than 25 entrepreneurs expressed interest in the regional competition this year, according to Jo Ann Di Maggio May, Metro East SBDC director and MESC coordinator. About half of the individuals...

Entrepreneurs and new business startups are invited to compete in the 2020 Metro East Start-Up Challenge (MESC), Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s 7th annual regional business plan competition.

The MESC is organized by the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at SIUE. The purpose of the MESC is to identify, encourage and support entrepreneurs and business startups across the SBDC’s service area, including Calhoun, Jersey, Madison, ...

Cover Me, of Edwardsville, is the winner of the Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s 6^th annual Metro East Start-Up Challenge (MESC) business plan competition. CoverMe emerged from eight Southwestern Illinois-based entrepreneurs to claim the $10,000 first prize.

Tech entrepreneur Jeremy Packer has created CoverMe, an E-Gaming Platform that connects players and sponsors.

Representing House of Ninjas LLC, of O’Fallon, owner John Wilmas recei...

Eight Southwestern Illinois-based entrepreneurs and their innovative business concepts have been selected to move on to the final round of the Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s 6^th annual Metro East Start-Up Challenge (MESC) business plan competition.

A total of 16 semifinalists completed and submitted their full business plans with the support of the SBDC and professional business mentors. First prize is worth $10,000, second prize is $6,000 ...

Sixteen Southwestern Illinois-based entrepreneurs and their innovative business concepts have been selected to move into the second round of the Metro East’s 6^th annual business plan competition, the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Metro East Start-Up Challenge.

More than 50 entrepreneurs expressed interest in the regional competition this year, according to Jo Ann Di Maggio May, director of the Metro East SBDC and Challenge coordinator. About half of these individuals completed...

Entrepreneurs and new business startups are invited to compete in the 2019 Metro East Start-Up Challenge (MESC), Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s sixth annual regional business plan competition.

The MESC is organized by the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at SIUE. The purpose of the Challenge is to identify, encourage and support entrepreneurs and business startups across the SBDC’s service area, including Calhoun, Jersey, Madison...

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s International Trade Center (ITC), Small Business Development Center, and College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), along with TheBANK of Edwardsville and additional partners will host a conference on Friday, Oct. 5: “Immigrants in Our Midst,” that focuses on how to better serve U.S. immigrants’ financial, legal and social needs. The event will take place from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. in SIUE’s Morris University Conference Center.

SIUE alu...

Entrepreneurs and new business startups are invited to compete in Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s fifth annual regional business plan competition – the 2018 Metro East Start-Up Challenge (MESC).

The MESC is organized by the Illinois Metro East Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at SIUE and facilitated with the help of the SIUE School of Business. The purpose of the Challenge is to identify, encourage and support entrepreneurs and business startups across the S...

Josh Colclasure and Sammie Williams have been friends since childhood. They have always talked about starting a business together and finally had the chance to put their idea for bar and restaurant draft line cleaning services to the test in the Metro East Start-Up Challenge (MESC).

The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) introduced the competition in 2014. The Start-Up Challenge engages multiple sponsors and b...

Entrepreneurs and new business startups are invited to compete in the 2017 Metro East Start-Up Challenge (MESC), Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s fourth annual regional business plan competition.

The MESC is organized by the Illinois Metro East Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at SIUE. The purpose of the Challenge is to identify, encourage and support entrepreneurs and business startups across the SBDC’s service area, including Calhoun, Jersey, Madison, ...

Entrepreneurs and new business startups are invited to compete in the 2016 Metro East Start-Up Challenge (MESC), Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s third annual regional business plan competition.

The Challenge is organized by the Illinois Metro East Small Business Development Center (SBDC). The purpose of the Challenge is to identify, encourage and support entrepreneurs and business startups across the SBDC’s nine-county service area.

The first-place winner will...

Dr. Agnes Scoville, winner of last year’s Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Metro East Start-Up Challenge, captured third place in the U.S. Small Business Administration’s InnovateHER Business Challenge.

Scoville competed as one of 10 finalists in a live business pitch on Thursday, March 17, in Washington, D.C. as part of a national business plan competition. InnovateHER was organized by SBA and sponsored by Microsoft to unearth innovative products and services that impact a...

Entrepreneurs and new business startups are invited to compete in the 2015 Metro East Start-Up Challenge (MESC), Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s second annual regional business plan competition.

The $25,000 Challenge is organized by the Illinois Metro East Small Business Development Center (SBDC). The purpose of the Challenge is to identify, encourage and support entrepreneurs and business startups across the SBDC’s nine-county service area.

The first-place wi...

Fifteen Southwestern Illinois-based entrepreneurs and their innovative business concepts have been selected to move into the second round of the Metro East’s first regional business plan competition.

Organized and launched by University Park at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, the SIUE Metro East Start-Up Challenge seeks to identify, foster and reward entrepreneurship and innovation in three key sectors: information technology, manufacturing and health sciences/services.

More t...

Entrepreneurs and new business start-ups are invited to compete in the Metro East Start-Up Challenge, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s first regional business plan competition.

The Start-Up Challenge is sponsored by University Park at SIUE and the Metro East Small Business Development Center (SBDC). The Challenge seeks to identify, reward and support entrepreneurs across the SBDC’s nine-county service area.

“With strong overall interest and a large number of partia...