The MESC is a business plan competition that recognizes and rewards excellence in entrepreneurship. The purpose of our event is to increase the region’s enthusiasm and support for business start-ups through a competitive process. Thanks to the generosity and support of various local sponsors, the past 11 years of MESC competitions were a tremendous success, producing concrete examples of the Metro East region’s brightest, most creative business minds and entrepreneurial spirit. More than 285 innovative entrepreneurs from the SBDC’s nine plus-county service area have competed in this three-phase event over the past nine years.
Our goal is to continue this momentum and continue fostering a real-world environment in which bright, creative business minds can flourish.
The Challenge is a $28,000 cash prize business plan competition to identify, encourage, and reward excellence in entrepreneurship in the St. Louis Metro East region (now including Fayette, Macoupin, and Montgomery Counties). For the 11th year, Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois and SIUE School of Business are the competition's cornerstone sponsors. Growth Corp has also been a longstanding supporter. 2025's Networking Event Platinum Sponsor, Associated Bank, and Gold Sponsor, Ameren Energy Efficiency Program, are hosting this year's Mentor-Semifinalist Networking Event. The SIUE School of Business and Illinois Small Business Development Center for the Metro East at SIUE (SBDC) are facilitating the competition.
The purpose of the challenge is to:
The first place winner will receive a $10,000 cash prize accompanied by an array of in-kind professional services.
Second, Third, and Fourth Place winners will receive a $6,000 cash prize, $4,000 cash prize, and a $2,000 cash prize, respectively, along with many in-kind professional services
Again this year, the Woman,Minority or Veteran prize will be separated into 3 specific $1,500 prize opportunities. The City of O'Fallon (IL) is sponsoring the Veteran owned Business Prize. Justine Petersen is the Minority owned Buisness Sponsor and Bank of Springfield is sponsoring the Woman owned Business Prize.
The Rural Business of the Year Prices (also worth $1,500) is again being offered through the generosity of Dieterich Bank.
To qualify as a Rural business, the entity must be located in and meet the USDA definition of Rural: population of less than 50,000 and the contiguous area around the urban area. Woman, Minority or Veteran must possess at least 51% ownership in the company
If you are interested in sponsoring and/or providing in-kind services for The Metro East Startup Challenge, please click here to learn more!
