13th Annual 2026 Metro East Start-Up Challenge to Offer $28,000 in Prizes

13th Annual 2026 Metro East Start-Up Challenge to Offer $28,000 in Prizes

Entrepreneurs and new business startups are invited to compete in the 2026 Metro East Start-Up Challenge (MESC), Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's 13th annual regional business plan competition.

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 SBDC's service area. Counties served include Jersey, Calhoun, Madison, Bond, Clinton, St. Clair, Washington, Monroe, and Randolph Counties, as well as Fayette, Montgomery, and Macoupin Counties.

The 2026 MESC encourages for-profit entrepreneurs and startup businesses to participate. For a startup business enterprise to be eligible, it must have been established after April 30, 2023, and be headquartered in the SBDC's nine-county (plus Fayette, Montgomery, and Macoupin Counties) service area. For pre-venture entrepreneurs, proposed new business operations will need to be located within the same counties. See website for more guidelines.

The MESC includes three rounds, beginning with a brief questionnaire and executive summary submittal that is open to all eligible applicants. 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 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 top prize winners will also receive an array of in-kind professional services to include networking and support, legal assistance, accounting services, web design, cybersecurity/IT support and co-working space.

Additional monetary awards include Rural Business of the Year (underwritten by Dietrich Bank) as well as Woman (Bank of Springfield), Minority (Justine Petersen), and Veteran-Owned Business (City of O' Fallon) of the Year categories, each offering $1,500 prizes.

Sponsors
The Challenge is made possible through tremendous regional support. Sponsors include the SIUE School of Business, Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois, Growth Corp, Anders CPA & Advisors, the City of Edwardsville, Dieterich Bank, City of Highland, Carrollton Bank, St. Clair County Economic Development, Regions Bank, the City of Alton, Riverbend Growth Association, FCB Banks, Monroe County Economic Development Corporation, and University Park at SIUE.

Associated Bank and Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program serve as key sponsors for the Mentor-Semifinalist Networking Event held at the Gateway Center in Collinsville.

2026 Key Dates
Application Opens: June 14, 2026

Initial Entry Deadline: August 9, 2026 (11:59 p.m.)

Additional competition milestones are available on theofficial website.

Participant Perspectives
For entrepreneur Tyler Duty, the greatest reward from the competition wasn't just the $10,000 prize, it was the relationships, mentorship and support that continue to help him grow his business today. Through the process, Tyler gained valuable connections and guidance from mentors who remain invested in his success long after the competition ended.

"It's actually crazy. I am not the most professional business guy, but the competition did things for me that I'll be seeing the results from for years. They told me from the beginning, 'Just show up to the meetings.'

I showed up to every meeting, I took their advice, I just listened, but more than that, I acted on it. Winning the $10,000 was great, but the business mentors and partners I met just being involved in the process were life changing.

I would enter the competition again if I could, just for the connections and the teachers. But even after winning, JoAnn and Matt have continued to be there to support me and my business because they genuinely want to see every business win. I thought that business would become easier after the competition, and it's not, but they taught me how to jump over the next hurdle. I just have to keep showing up and learning." Tyler shared.

Dr. Amber Da Gama Rose, founder of Moxie Pelvic Health and Wellness and 2024 first-place winner, said: "I learned so much from the Illinois SBDC Metro East Business Start Up Challenge. Having to fully write out and complete my business plan was eye opening."

Stacy Fangmeyer and Amanda Krause, founders of Toast & Table and 2023 second-place winners, noted: "The grant money was extremely helpful, but the networking with mentors and peers was priceless."

Andrew Mayhall and Andrew Martinussen of A2 Creative (2021 winners) described the experience as "an incredible opportunity for local startups."

The initial entry deadline is Sunday, August 9. Semi-finalists will be announced Friday, August. 21. Finalists will be notified on Tuesday, Oct. 27.

The Challenge culminates with an announcement of its four top place cash prize winners on Friday, November 6 during the monthly Leadership Council SW IL meeting.

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 the Small Business Development Center and the International Trade Center. Both 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 [email protected].

Visit the 2026 Metro East Start-Up Challenge website for more information or to apply.

PHOTO: Digital badge announcement of the 2026 Metro East Start-Up Challenge