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Entrepreneurs and new business startups are invited to compete in Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s ninth annual regional business plan competition: the 2022 Metro East Start-Up Challenge (MESC).

The MESC is organized by the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at SIUE. The purpose of the Challenge is to identify, encourage, and support entrepreneurs and business startups across the SBDC’s service area, including Jersey, Calhoun, Madison, Bond, Clinton, St. Clair, Washington, Monroe, and Randolph Counties. The competition has expanded its reach, adding Fayette and Montgomery Counties.

“The Metro East Start-Up Challenge elevates the discussion of, and support for, entrepreneurship across our region,” said Jo Ann Di Maggio May, SBDC director. “Interest in the annual MESC continues to grow with each passing year.” 

Past winners say they are grateful to have competed and that the MESC positively and productively extended their business efforts, strengthening their entrepreneurial journey.

“The Metro East Startup Challenge is an incredible opportunity for local startups that deserves much broader recognition,” said A2 Creative, Inc - 3D Gloop! Founders Andrew Mayhall and Andrew Martinussen, who took  top prize in MESC 2021. “Having participated in multiple startup-focused contests, we can confidently say the resources offered through this competition are second to none. If you are local and thinking of starting a business or trying to get your business going, the MESC provides an opportunity few areas in the country can compete with.”

David Kniepkamp and Catharine Magel of ArtSculpt International, located in Fairview Heights, won first place in 2020’s MESC. The two summed up their experience stating, “The MESC was an exceptional experience that allowed ArtSculpt International to advance in the fundamentals and engage in a creative process for starting a successful and profitable business. Focus, direction, and implementation were the takeaways for accelerating a business plan that allowed us to create a stronger and vibrant company positioned to exceed customer expectations. The experiences cultivated and learned will last a lifetime.”

The 2022 MESC encourages for-profit entrepreneurs and startup businesses to apply. For a startup business enterprise to be eligible, it must have been established after April 30, 2019, and be headquartered in the SBDC’s nine-county (plus Fayette and Montgomery Counties) service area. For pre-venture entrepreneurs, proposed new business operations will need to be located within the same counties.

The MESC includes three rounds, beginning with a brief questionnaire and executive summary submittal that is open to all applications that meet the eligibility guidelines. Participants selected for the second round are invited to expand on their entrepreneurial concept by submitting a full business plan. These semifinalists are paired with business professionals who will mentor them through the competition and potentially beyond. The last round is the “final pitch” in front of a panel of business experts.

The initial entry deadline is Sunday, Aug. 14. Semi-finalists will be announced Tuesday, Aug. 23. Finalists will be notified on Tuesday, Oct. 18. The Challenge culminates with an announcement of its cash prize winners on Friday, Nov. 4 during the monthly Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois meeting.

The first-place winner will receive a $10,000 cash prize. Second, third, and fourth place winners will receive $6,000, $4,000, and $2,000, respectively. The four prize winners will also receive an array of in-kind professional services to include a 2022 membership to Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois, legal assistance from Carol Sparks, Attorney at Law, accounting services from Kerber Eck & Braeckel, LLP (KEB), web design services by Codd Interactive, and co-working space at The Lodge.

The SBDC, and partners Dietrich Bank and the City of O’Fallon, will continue to offer the two additional prize categories introduced last year, including Rural Business of the Year and Woman, Minority, or Veteran business of the Year.  Each category will have the opportunity to take home $1,500 in prize money.

The Challenge is made possible through tremendous regional support. Sponsors include the SIUE School of Business, the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois, Anders CPA & Advisors, PNC Bank, Madison County Economic Development, the City of Edwardsville, Dietrich Bank, National Development Council, Town and Country Bank (Edwardsville and Fairview Heights locations), City of Highland, Carrollton Bank, St. Clair County Economic Development, Bank of Springfield, Growth Corp, the City of Alton, Regions Bank, Riverbend Growth Association, FCB Banks, Monroe County Economic Development Corporation, Commerce Bank, Barber Murphy Group, and University Park at SIUE.

Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program and National Development Council are this year’s sponsors of the Mentor-Semifinalist Networking Event to be held at the Gateway Center in Collinsville.

For more information on the 2022 MESC or to initiate the application process, visit siue.edu/metroeaststartup.

The Illinois SBDC Network is a service to the community supported, in part, by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the Illinois Dept. of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), and the SIUE School of Business.

SIUE operates two Small Business Development Centers and the International Trade Center. All three Centers provide resources, information and support to entrepreneurs, and small business owners in the nine-county Metro East region of Jersey, Calhoun, Madison, Bond, Clinton, St. Clair, Washington, Monroe and Randolph. By aiding entrepreneurs and companies in defining their path to success, the SBDC positively impacts the Metro East by strengthening the business community, creating and retaining new jobs, and encouraging new investment. 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 how the SBDC can help your small business, contact the Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE (618) 650-2929 or sbdcedw@gmail.com.

Photo: SIUE 2022 Metro East Start-Up Challenge.