Meet the Advisors at the IL SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE

Introduction to the SBDC with the Greater Belleville Chamber

Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) provide business-related assistance and knowledge to help entrepreneurs start, run, and grow their businesses. SBDCs are created through a partnership between the U.S. Small Business Administration and local universities and are available in all states and U.S. territories.

First steps in protecting your data

JoAnn DiMaggio May and Marcel Brown discuss the basics of cybersecurity and how a business can take the first steps to safeguard their data without breaking the bank.  

How 2021-COVID-19 Relief Package impacts the Small Business Community

Brandon Wells from the SIUE Alestle interviewing our SBDC director about the 2021-COVID_19 Relief Package.

Independent Consulting (IC) Topics Chat with Goshen Education Consulting: Introducing the Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE

Introducing the Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE and how we assist with small business development.

East St. Louis Cafe of Champions Competition

The 2021 SIUE East St. Louis Café of Champions Challenge is an opportunity for local catering and/or restaurant entrepreneurs to showcase their talent for a chance to win $3,000 in cash prizes and a grand prize of 1- year rent and utility free commercial kitchen/cafe space on the East St. Louis Higher Education Center (ESLHEC).

The ESLHEC serves as a national model for how metropolitan universities and colleges can leverage expertise in order to demonstrate impact in a high-needs community. ESLHEC is a place that inspires, prepares and connects youth and adults to opportunities to reach their full potential. The campus includes three higher education institutions, a charter high school, a full-service community library, a community care clinic, a community dental clinic, early childhood care, and is home to several state and federally funded programs and partners.

The winning finalist will have the opportunity to provide high-quality dining and catering options, not only to the ESLHEC but also the surrounding community.

To participate in the 2021 Café of Champions Challenge, prospective applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Operations must be headquartered in the nine-county Metro East region (Calhoun, Jersey, Madison, Bond, Clinton, St. Clair, Washington, Monroe and Randolph).
• Applicants are elligible for up to 20 additional points if they meet the following criteria
  • +10 points for businesses or ventures that are headquartered in the following zip codes: 62201, 62202, 62203, 62204, 62205, 62206, 62207 and 62208.
  • +10 points will be awarded to businesses or ventures that are minority-owned, woman-owned, or disabled veteran-owned.
• Applicant must meet industry size standards established by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
• Applicant must demonstrate successful experience regularly catering events with 200 or more attendees.
• Winning applicant MUST BE available to start café operations on July 1, 2021.

STRUCTURE AND SCHEDULE:

The Challenge includes three (3) rounds. The first round consists of a questionnaire and executive summary submittal for all applicants meeting the eligibility guidelines. The second round is a business plan submittal, and will be open only to first-round participants who are invited to submit. The third round is the final sample, menu-tasting competition, open only to second round finalists. 

• February 17: First Round Application Open
• April 3: First Round Application/Executive Summary Deadline (11:59 pm)
• April 10: Judges Complete and Submit Evaluations
• April 12: Semi-Finalists Announced/Second Round Opens
• April 25: Mentor-Semifinalist Networking Event (Virtual)
• May 7: Catering/Café Pitch Prep Class 1 (Virtual)
• May 14: Catering/Café Pitch Prep Class 2 (Virtual)
• May 18: Second Round Condensed Business Plan Deadline (11:59 pm)
• May 21: Mock Pitch (In-Person)
• May 28: Judges Complete and Submit Evaluations
• May 30: Announcement of Finalists
• Jun 5: Final Sample Menu Taste Test & Judging--Finalist #1 (ESLHEC Café)
• Jun 6: Final Sample Menu Taste Test & Judging--Finalist #2 (ESLHEC Café)
• Jun 7: Final Sample Menu Taste Test & Judging--Finalist #3 (ESLHEC Café)
• Jun 10: Grand Prize Winner Announced
• Jul 1: 1st Prize Winner Begins Operation in ESLHEC Cafe