Welcome to the Metro East Start-Up Challenge

The Metro East Start-Up Challenge (MESC) is a business plan competition that recognizes and rewards excellence in entrepreneurship. The purpose of our event is to increase the region’s enthusiasm and support for business start-ups through a competitive process. Thanks to the generosity and support of various local sponsors, the past 11 years of MESC competitions were a tremendous success, producing concrete examples of the Metro East region’s brightest, most creative business minds and entrepreneurial spirit. More than 285 innovative entrepreneurs from the SBDC’s nine plus-county service area have competed in this three-phase event over the past nine years.

Our goal is to continue this momentum and continue fostering a real-world environment in which bright, creative business minds can flourish.