The Wedge, Powered by SIUE Celebrates One-Year Anniversary with a Month of Programming

The Wedge, Powered by SIUE Celebrates One-Year Anniversary with a Month of Programming

In just one year, The Wedge, Powered by SIUE has established a center in downtown Alton for innovation and entrepreneurship with SIUE Community Collaboration Labs, leadership development workshops and co-working spaces designed for an optimum networking scene. CEO Scot Heathman and Community Manager Stephanie Schrage have curated a month of events to mark the occasion, culminating in an April 24 rooftop celebration.

According to Mario Hayek, PhD, Dean of the SIUE School of Business, "The Wedge has emerged as a catalyst for economic momentum in the Metro East and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has been at the center of that progress, helping translate vision into action and ideas into outcomes."

He adds, "Through a deliberate and coordinated presence, SIUE has helped shape The Wedge into more than a space. It is now a platform where entrepreneurs launch, businesses grow, data informs decisions, and communities engage in meaningful, forward-looking work."

Throughout April, community members can pay $1 for a coworking day pass, which secures access to all The Wedge's amenities and a coworking space for a day. Proceeds will benefit the Greater Alton Community Development Corporation and the Overnight Warming Locations.

Registering as a new member during April provides $100 off the first three months of private office space when signing a 12-month rental agreement.

"The Wedge and SIUE are truly building something special that is unique to the Riverbend region. A high-impact partnership that's fueling learning, research, innovation, and development-enabling the roots of community revitalization to form strong bonds. All of this is accomplished through the power of connection. I'm genuinely proud of how we're connecting students, employers, and neighbors together and excited for what we'll end up building next," said Scot Heathman, CEO, The Wedge Innovation Center.

On April 24, community members can also join a rooftop celebration with live music, networking opportunities and more.

One-year Highlights
Since its grand opening on April 7, 2025, The Wedge has emerged as a catalyst for economic momentum in the Metro East and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville by powering innovation, entrepreneurship, and regional transformation.

The Wedge, Powered by SIUE has established an engine for entrepreneurial activity. Through SIUE's Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East, the university delivers programming that connects founders directly to the resources that matter; capital, expertise, and networks.

Current Programming

• SBDC Day
• The Capital Connection Series
• SIUE Showcases
• Legal clinics, financial advising, and startup workshops where entrepreneurs are not only supported, they are advancing
• SIUE is also ensuring that The Wedge is positioned at the forefront of emerging technologies. Through the Center for Predictive Analytics (C-PAN), the university brings applied expertise in business analytics, automation, and artificial intelligence directly into the region.
• At the same time, GeoMARC is leveraging The Wedge to convene national and regional leaders around geospatial intelligence which is an increasingly critical driver of economic development and security. These collaborations elevate the region's profile while positioning it within conversations that shape the future of technology and infrastructure.
• Beyond business and technology, SIUE is helping ensure that The Wedge remains deeply connected to the community it serves. Through the SIU System Office of Community Engagement, residents, leaders, and organizations are coming together to address real issues from digital access and workforce readiness to public safety and neighborhood development.

A Model for What Regional Partnership Can Achieve

The collaboration between SIUE and The Wedge is intentional. It reflects what can happen when a university aligns its resources in entrepreneurship, analytics, research, and community engagement, around a shared regional purpose.

The result is visible: stronger talent pipelines, more informed decision-making, increased support for small businesses, and a growing ecosystem where collaboration leads to measurable progress.

The Wedge is proving that regional transformation does not happen by chance. It happens when the right partners show up, invest deeply, and execute with purpose.

For more information about The Wedge, including their upcoming events, visit The Wedge Innovation Center's official website.

The Wedge Innovation Center photo by Howard Ash