2025 Southern Illinois Business Plan Competition participant Lynne Weeks pitching her “Reading by the Weeks,” dyslexia tutoring plan during regional competition in Marion. (Photo provided)
September 18, 2026
Registration open for the Southern Illinois 2026 Business Plan Competition
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois entrepreneurs with a bold idea or growth plan are invited to enter the Southern Illinois 2026 Business Plan Competition powered by Regions for a chance to win a share of more than $20,000 in cash and in-kind services.
Funded by a generous gift from Regions Bank, the competition aims to propel new and existing businesses forward by providing vital funding and resources. Event organizers include Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Office of Innovation and Economic Development, the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at SIU and the SIU Foundation. Anyone in Southern Illinois with a new business concept or pre-venture plan, start-up or existing for-profit small business focused on new or expanded products or services can participate.
Competition organizers say this is the opportunity to bring visions to life, noting that past competitions have awarded significant funding to help local businesses thrive.
Apply now
Applications are open now and will be accepted through 11:59 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25. Sign up online now. All participants must attend three workshops in September and October, providing crucial information about business plans, financials and pitching your business. Workshop locations are in Benton, Carbondale, Harrisburg, Metropolis and Red Bud.
Consult the Business Plan Competition webpage for complete details.
The first competition round is Nov. 10-12, where a panel of judges will evaluate entries based on each plan’s content and viability as well as a pitch presentation. Two winners from each local competition location will advance to the regional competition on Nov. 19 at SIU’s Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center, 1740 Innovation Drive, Carbondale. Award winners will be announced at the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Showcase at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 3 also the Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center.
Diverse entries
The competition annually showcases a diverse range of innovative business concepts. Contestants must be in one or more of these Illinois counties: Alexander, Clay, Crawford, Edwards, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Lawrence, Marion, Massac, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Richland, Saline, Union, Wabash, Wayne, White, and Williamson.
There are just a few restrictions. The contest is not open to businesses involving cannabis, gambling or lobbying activities. In addition, public governmental entities, nonprofit organizations, public and private schools, and higher education institutions aren’t eligible.
The 2025 regional winners included Florine Swim, Rent-A-Kid, and WP Meat Company. Additional local competition winners included Chilly Jilly, Ellioh Designs, Heidbreder Utility Mapping and Consulting, Hero Haulers, Mochi Munchies, Mother Tree Therapeutic Interventions, Reading by the Weeks, Sandstone Adventure Guides, and Seeking Sensory.
In addition to Regions Bank, competition sponsors include the Illinois SBDC at SIU, Office of Innovation and Economic Development, SIU Foundation, the Illinois SBDC at Southeastern Illinois College, the Illinois SBDC at Shawnee Community College, Legal Advocacy Headquarters, Legence Bank, WLC Management Firm, The Warehouse, Kotner Title, and the Shawnee Community College Massac County Extension Center.
For more information about the competition, contact the Illinois Small Business Development Center at SIU at 618-536-2424 or sbdc@siu.edu.