News

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 Ann Di Maggio May, director of the Metro East SBDC and Challenge coordinator. About 25 of these individuals completed the entry process and 19 of those were invited to participate in the next round.

“We’re extremely pleased with the sustained level of interest in our region’s business plan contest,” Di Maggio May said. “There has been a robust outpouring of enthusiasm about the Challenge from applicants, community leaders and our small business development partners."

"The SIUE Metro East Start-Up Challenge creates the opportunity to engage with the region in cultivating an important economic development strategy,” said Di Maggio May.  “Although only 19 remain eligible for the $10,000 top cash prize, we encourage everyone that considered or entered the Challenge to access the SBDC’s wide menu of resources and expertise.”

The semifinalists are invited to a networking event on September 19, where they are paired with four mentors. The event will be hosted at the Gateway Center Convention Center in Collinsville and brings together business professionals and leaders from around the Metro East.

Round two of the Challenge will require the nineteen semifinalists to create a condensed business plan, develop  financial projections, and clearly define reasons why their business concept will be successful.

The IL SBDC for the  Metro East at SIUE will offer guidance and support to semifinalists in the form of workshops throughout late August and October. Competitors have until Sunday, October 13th to submit their business plans and financial statements. Judges will select eleven or twelve finalists, who will pitch their business concept on Monday, October 28 to a select panel of judges. The winners will be announced immediately following the pitch presentations.

The first-place award is $10,000, second place is $6,000, and third place is $4,000. Again, this year, Regions Bank is sponsoring a 4th place prize of $2,000. Winners are also offered an array of in-kind services. There are also four additional categories awarded each with an opportunity to take home $1,500. These categories include Woman, Minority, Veteran and Rural Business of the year.

The competition culminates with the top four winners presenting their ideas to Leadership Council Southwest Illinois on November 1st.

The 2024 Metro East Start-Up Challenge semifinalists include:

Belly Up Dog Training (Troy, IL)
Black Hole Sun Disc Golf (O’Fallon, IL)
Central Equipment Solutions LLC (Alhambra, IL)
DramaLlama (Edwardsville, IL)
Ed's Delicatessen (Edwardsville, IL)
Empowered Pathways (Edwardsville, IL)
Extraordinary Balloons (Belleville, IL)
Go Ahead Transport (Belleville, IL)
Jam Right I Can (O’Fallon, IL)
James Family Farms & Market (East St. Louis, IL)
Kay's Cakes and Bakes (Alton, IL)
Monarch Massage (Caseyville, IL)
Moxie Pelvic Health and Wellness (Maryville, IL)
Paper Moon LLC (Mascoutah, IL)
STEM Fit Kids (Swansea, IL)
Smokehouse Jellies (Highland, IL)
Ted McKinney Consulting (Edwardsville, IL)
Woosah Wellness (Glen Carbon, IL)
Zanny Popz Frozen Treats (Troy, IL)

The Illinois SBDC for the Metro East assists start-up ventures, as well as existing businesses headquartered in the nine-county region of Calhoun, Jersey, Madison, Bond, Clinton, St. Clair, Washington, Monroe and Randolph. It is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and SIUE as a service to Illinois small businesses.

By aiding entrepreneurs and companies in defining their path to success, the SBDC network positively impacts the Metro East by strengthening the business community, creating and retaining new jobs and encouraging new investment. It enhances the region’s economic interests by providing one-stop assistance to individuals by means of counseling, training, research and advocacy for new ventures and existing small businesses. When appropriate, the SBDC strives to affiliate its ties to the region to support the goals and objectives of both the SIUE School of Business and the University at large.

To learn about the SBDC, contact the Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE at (618) 650-2929 or visit the SBDC website.