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 6th 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 and third prize is $4,000. Winners are also offered an array of in-kind services.
“We’re extremely pleased with the sustained level of interest in our region’s business plan contest,” said Jo Ann Di Maggio May, SBDC director. “There has been a robust outpouring of enthusiasm about the Challenge from applicants, community leaders and our small business development partners.
“The Challenge creates the opportunity to engage with the region in cultivating an important economic development strategy. Although only eight companies remain eligible for the top prize, we encourage everyone who considered or entered the Challenge to access the SBDC’s wide menu of resources and expertise.”
The Challenge’s final round requires the competitors to pitch their business concept to five judges on Thursday, Oct. 24. The winners will be announced immediately following the pitches.
The 2019 MESC finalists are:
- House of Ninjas LLC, O'Fallon
- Maydai Trauma Focused Clinical Research & Network Center, East St. Louis
- Stone’s Essential Care Package: Just for YOU! Belleville
- Tricentum Technologies LLC, Prairie Du Rocher
- Cover Me, Edwardsville
- Grain Densification International, Granite City
- Daughtsy, Belleville
- 724 St. Louis Road, LLC, d.b.a. Hyperion Commercial Properties, Collinsville
The Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE and East St. Louis assists start-up ventures like these, as well as existing businesses headquartered in the nine-county region of southwestern Illinois, including Calhoun, Jersey, Madison, Bond, Clinton, St. Clair, Washington, Monroe and Randolph counties. It is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, Illinois Dept. 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. The SBDC enhances the region’s economic interests by providing one-stop assistance to individuals by means of advising, 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 more about the SBDC, contact the IL SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE at (618) 650-2929.