Michael Jessup (far left) interim director of the Illinois Small Business Development Center at SIU, and Matt Harmon (far right), assistant vice president and Carbondale Regions Bank manager, recognize Morgan Stevenson (second from left) and Judy Hoepker of Rolling Oak Alpaca Ranch as the first prize winners in the recent Southern Illinois 2024 Business Plan Competition Powered by Regions Bank. (Photo provided)
December 12, 2024
Winners of SIU’s 2024 business plan competition claim big prizes
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Three winners claimed cash and service prizes during Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Showcase from a remarkable field of 92 businesses entered in the 2024 Southern Illinois Business Plan Competition Powered by Regions Bank.
The top prize of $5,000 went to Rolling Oak Alpaca Ranch, represented by Morgan Stevenson and Judy Hoepker. E-Wagers and Reese Fulk claimed the $3,000 second prize while New Earth Composting with Blayne Harris and Daniel Moreno took the third prize of $2,000.
“The large number of businesses that signed up to participate in this year’s competition is a reflection of the strong interest in entrepreneurial growth across Southern Illinois,” said Lynn Andersen Lindberg, executive director of Innovation and Economic Development and of the SIU Research Park. “The competition attracted a diverse group of participants, representing a wide range of industries that included jewelry making, delivery services for students, boxing, alpaca products, composting, workforce development for commercial building inspectors and much more. It's an impressive group of entrepreneurs.”
Months of hard work culminate
Organized by SIU’s Office of Innovation and Economic Development, the Illinois Small Business Development Center at SIU the SIU Foundation and Regions Bank, the competition was created to support the launch of new businesses or the expansion of existing businesses within the region.
Organizers say the goal was to equip participants with the tools and confidence they need to move their businesses forward as they completed investor-ready business plans and strategically positioned themselves for future growth. Throughout the fall, contestants participated in numerous workshops about planning, finances and attracting investors.
Business professionals and community experts from the region served as judges for the event. Four local competitions were held throughout the region with top prizes of $1,000 and second place awards of $500. The winners advanced to the regional competition, held Dec. 5 at the Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center.
In addition to the cash awards, regional winners also received in-kind prizes. The first-place winner received $2,000 in marketing services from the Arthur Agency, six hours of legal assistance from the Legal Advocacy Headquarters, a professionally produced promotional video from Brand Advocacy and $250 in services from Wildflower Wellness. Second place won four hours of legal assistance and $150 in wellness services while third claimed two hours of legal assistance and $100 in wellness services.
Competition sponsors include Regions Bank, Arthur Agency, Brand Advocacy Group, Carbondale Chamber of Commerce, First Southern Bank, Legal Advocacy Headquarters, Legence Bank, Melzer-Reinhart Country Financial, Southern Illinois Now and Wildflower Wellness.
Additional details
The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Showcase also featured:
- Recognition of the area businesses that recently completed and graduated from the comprehensive 10-week Launch That Business “fast-track” training program through the Illinois Small Business Development Center.
- The announcement of this year’s graduates of the Carbondale Accelerator Program.
- Acknowledgement of people affiliated with SIU who have received patents for their inventions or processes during the past year.
- Expressing appreciation to some of the university’s faculty and staff who contributed to the success of the big 2024 Tolar Solar Eclipse celebration.
- A presentation recognizing SIU’s Illinois SBDC as the winner of 2024 Illinois SBDC of the Year honors.
Learn more about innovation and entrepreneurship at SIU by visiting the website, calling 618-536-4451 or emailing lindberg@siu.edu.