2024 Metro East Start-Up Challenge

About

Entrepreneurs and new business startups in the Metro East region of Illinois are invited to compete in the 2024 Metro East Start-Up Challenge for a chance to win $10,000 and in-kind services to support their business growth.

Benefits

• 💰Financial Support
  First-place winner receives $10,000 cash prize
• 💰Financial Support
  Second, third, and fourth place winners receive $6,000, $4,000, and $2,000 respectively
• 🛠️ Resources & Tools
  In-kind professional services including a 2024 membership to Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois, legal assistance, accounting services, web design services, cybersecurity/IT support, and co-working space
• 🛠️ Resources & Tools
  Opportunity to receive additional in-kind services through the Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE

Eligibility Criteria

• For-profit entrepreneurs and startup businesses
• Business must have been established after April 30, 2021
• Business must be headquartered in the SBDC's nine-county service area (Jersey, Calhoun, Madison, Bond, Clinton, St. Clair, Washington, Monroe, and Randolph Counties)
• Pre-venture entrepreneurs must have proposed new business operations located within the same counties

Target Sector

All Industries

Target Location

Metro East region of Illinois (Jersey, Calhoun, Madison, Bond, Clinton, St. Clair, Washington, Monroe, Randolph, Fayette, Montgomery, and Macoupin Counties)