Our Partners at The Wedge
Center for Predictive Analytics (CPAN)
Empowering data-driven decisions, CPAN provides cutting-edge data science and AI expertise to help local entrepreneurs and organizations grow through informed decision-making. Through quarterly hands-on workshops such as Predictive Analytics for Business Growth and AI for Entrepreneurs: Marketing, Efficiency, & Growth, CPAN helps small businesses optimize their operations, enhance marketing, and unlock growth using data.
Services Include:
- AI toolkits for small businesses
- Data-driven marketing and customer segmentation
- Forecasting models for sales, staffing, and operations
- Mentoring in applied machine learning and data science
- Featured Series: Predictive Analytics for Business Growth (Quarterly)
GeoMARC (Geospatial Mapping, Applications, & Research Center)
Mapping solutions for real-world challenges, GeoMARC delivers real-time geospatial insights to the local community, including business site selection, transportation optimization, and environmental analysis. On-site demonstrations and public-facing projects use LiDAR, remote sensing, and GIS tools to visualize and solve local challenges.
Services Include:
- Market and site location mapping for entrepreneurs
- Route optimization for delivery/logistics companies
- Infrastructure risk analysis (e.g., flood risk, road conditions)
- Public project visualization (e.g., downtown development plans)
- Featured Workshop: Market Mapping for Business Location Decisions
Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at SIUE
Fueling small business success, the SBDC at SIUE offers free and low-cost resources for entrepreneurs and small businesses, including legal support, financial planning, and startup coaching. Monthly sessions at The Wedge such as Bootstrapping for Your Business and Accounting & Financial Planning for Entrepreneurs, provide direct support for those launching or scaling a business.
Services Include:
- One-on-one business advising and planning
- Business registration and compliance support
- Marketing and customer acquisition strategy
- Financial forecasting, budgeting, and access to capital
- Workshops on starting, funding, and growing your business
- Featured Offerings: Capital Connections, Legal Clinics, Financial Planning Seminars
SIU Office of Community Engagement (OCE)
Creating solutions through civic innovation, the OCE drives community collaboration through events like the Community Collaboration Lab and Digital Skills Workshops. These sessions use Human-Centered Design to co-create solutions to local challenges, while also enhancing digital literacy through Coursera, Northstar, and Google training platforms.
Services Include:
- Human-Centered Design workshops for nonprofits and civic leaders
- Digital upskilling through national learning platforms
- Technical assistance for community project planning
- Collaboration labs to brainstorm community solutions
- Featured Programs: Community Collaboration Lab, Digital Skills Workshops
Center for Sustainable Communities and Entrepreneurship (CSCE)
Fostering resilient, inclusive growth. the CSCE at SIUE supports sustainable economic development through entrepreneurship education, resource access, and civic partnerships. The center works with local leaders, stakeholders, and residents to build long-term solutions rooted in equity and sustainability.
Services Include:
- Entrepreneurial education with a sustainability lens
- Support for minority-owned and women-led businesses
- Resource matching for social enterprises
- Facilitation of pitch competitions and mentoring events
- Current Projects: Entrepreneur pitch competitions, regional equity roundtables
Office of Online Services and Educational Outreach (OSEO)
Extending access to education and workforce readiness, OSEO serves as a key connector for lifelong learning and digital credentialing. At The Wedge, OSEO advisors assist community members with enrolling in free online upskilling programs and provide guidance on stackable credentials that translate into career mobility.
Services Include:
- Guidance on obtaining digital badges and industry-recognized credentials
- Enrollment support for Coursera, Google, and Northstar courses
- Career pathway advising for reskilling and upskilling
- Coordination of non-credit workforce training programs
- Key Resources: Northstar Digital Literacy, Coursera, Grow with Google
