Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE

The IL SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE is happy to announce the winners of its 12th Annual Metro East Startup Challenge. The 2025 business plan competition attracted around 35 entrepreneurs competing for a share of a $28,000 prize package.

Beyond Creative AI, of Alton, Illinois, was awarded the first-place prize of $10,000. Founder Tyler Duty laid the foundation for Beyond Creative AI in mid-2025. Beyond Creative AI is a video-editing agency helping brands to elevate their content on social m...

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...

With networking support provided by the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, the startup known as The Waters Institute is a cutting-edge organization revolutionizing the way businesses and professionals engage with artificial intelligence (AI). This company provides accessible education and implementation strategies tailored to non-technical audiences. As AI continues to shape industries and redefine job roles, The Wat...

SoCal Soul Plants & Gifts, a thriving plant shop and community hub in downtown Edwardsville, is celebrating its one-year anniversary March 22-23 with an exciting weekend of giveaways, discounts, and plant-themed fun. Since opening its doors in March 2024, the shop has blossomed into a beloved destination, offering not only a stunning selection of houseplants, succulents, and unique plant-themed gifts but also a welcoming space for plant lovers to learn, connect, and grow together.

What began as...

Honeybee Vintage, a thriving vintage and antique shop in downtown Alton, is celebrating its one-year anniversary this March. The establishment is a winner of the 2023 Metro East Small Business Startup competition, sponsored by the Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Since opening its doors, the business has rapidly grown into a beloved shopping destination, offering a unique blend of vintage and antique treasures, clothing, gifts, stationery, and handma...

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 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...

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...

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...

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 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...

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 ...

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...

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...