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

• First-place winner receives $10,000 cash prize
• Second, third, and fourth place winners receive $6,000, $4,000, and $2,000 respectively
• 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
• 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