2025 SIUE Metro East Start-Up Challenge Hosts Mock Pitch Event for Semifinalists

2025 SIUE Metro East Start-Up Challenge Hosts Mock Pitch Event for Semifinalists

Eighteen Southwestern Illinois-based entrepreneurs and their innovative business concepts have been selected to move into the second round of the Metro East's 12th annual business plan competition.

The Metro East Startup Challenge, a product of the Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, welcomes entrepreneurs and new businesses from a nine-county area of Southwestern Illinois with further expansion into Fayette, Montgomery and Macoupin counties. Nearly 45 entrepreneurs expressed interest in the regional competition this year, according to Jo Ann Di Maggio May, director of the Metro East SBDC and Challenge coordinator. About 35 of these individuals completed the entry process and 18 of those were invited to participate in the next round.

"We're extremely pleased with the sustained level of interest in our region's business plan contest," Di Maggio May said. "There has been a robust outpouring of enthusiasm about the Challenge from applicants, community leaders and our small business development partners.

"The SIUE Metro East Start-Up Challenge creates the opportunity to engage with the region in cultivating an important economic development strategy," said Di Maggio May. "Although only 18 remain eligible for the $10,000 top cash prize, we encourage everyone that
considered or entered the Challenge to access the SBDC's wide menu of resources and expertise."

The Semifinalists attended a networking event on September 11, where they were paired with four mentors. The event was hosted at the Gateway Center Convention Center in Collinsville and brought together business professionals and leaders from around the Metro East.
Round two of the Challenge required the eighteen semifinalists to create a condensed business plan, develop financial projections, and clearly define reasons why their business concept will be successful. The Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE offered guidance and support to semifinalists in the form of workshops from late August through October. Competitors now have until Sunday, Oct. 12th to submit their business plans and financial statements. Judges will select eleven or twelve finalists, who will pitch their business concept on Monday, Oct. 27 to a select panel of five judges. The winners will be announced immediately following the pitch presentations.

The first-place award is $10,000, second place is $6,000, and third place is $4,000. Returning this year is Regions Bank, sponsoring a fourth place prize of $2,000. Winners are also offered an array of in-kind services.

There are also four additional categories awarded-each with an opportunity to take home $1,500. These categories include Woman, Minority, Veteran and Rural Business of the year.

The competition culminates with the top four winners presenting their ideas to Leadership Council Southwest Illinois on Nov. 7th.

The 2025 Metro East Start-Up Challenge semifinalists include:

Thrive Everywhere (Edwardsville)
Rise Recovery & Resilience (O'Fallon)
Enter Peace Print and Wellness Collective (Edwardsville)
Beyond Creative AI (Alton)
COFFEATO COFFEE CO. (O'Fallon)
Zayn's Haven LLC (East St. Louis)
Plus Ultra Home Inspections LLC (Belleville)
Uplift Medical (Granite City)
Helping Hands Living Solutions (Troy)
Pavo Pluma Consulting (Belleville)
Seven Compass LLC (Highland)
Three Little Acres Farm (Lebanon)
Radiant Chiropractic & Natural Health (Jerseyville)
TaraBytes Digital Arts, LLC (Edwardsville)
BaaBaa Girls Wool Pelletizing (Waterloo)
The Courtyard (Edwardsville)
Belly Up Dog Training (Troy)
K Bright By Kifah (O'Fallon)

The Illinois SBDC for the Metro East assists start-up ventures, as well as existing businesses headquartered in the nine-county region of Calhoun, Jersey, Madison, Bond, Clinton, St. Clair, Washington, Monroe and Randolph. It is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, Illinois Department 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. It enhances the region's economic interests by providing one-stop assistance to individuals by means of counseling, 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 about the SBDC, contact the Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE at (618) 650-2929 or visit siue.edu/sbdc.

PHOTO: SIUE Metro East Startup Challenge 2025 Graphic