Holding the grand prize check are (from left) Melissa Ray Roach, SIU's director of entrepreneurship and business development and director of the Illinois Small Business Development Center; Matt Harmon, Assistant Vice President, Regions Bank. Scott Hamilton Brehm of Thermaquatica. Konstantinos Tsatsoulis, SIU Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate School, and Matt Bowman, SIU Chief of Staff. (Photo provided)
December 8, 2023
Entrepreneurs win thousands of dollars in SIU's 2023 Business Plan Contest
CARBONDALE, IL — Southern Illinois University Carbondale's recent Innovation and Entrepreneurship Showcase celebrated Southern Illinoisans' innovation, creativity, entrepreneurship and ingenuity with $20,000 in cash and prizes awarded it was done.
Thermaquatica, a Carbondale carbon recycling company represented by Scott Hamilton Brehm, won the Southern Illinois Business Plan Competition sponsored by Regions Bank, winning $5,000 in cash and an hour of strategy marketing services from Arthur Agency. You won $2,000. session at the Legal Advocacy Headquarters and his five hours of legal work.
Also, the top award winners are:
- No. 2: Harrison Sleep Labs, DuQuin's healthcare business headed by Chad Harris. The second prize includes $3,000, as well as a one-hour strategy session and three hours of legal work for him from Legal Advocacy Headquarters.
- 3rd Place: Illinois Ozarks Merchandising. The Elizabethtown memorabilia retail and wholesale company promoting southern Illinois and the Shawnee National Forest is represented by Elizabeth Canfarelli. The third prize was $2,000.
“We are pleased to participate in the recent business plan competition, which initially attracted 31 companies,” said Melissa Ray Roach, SIU's Director of Entrepreneurship and Business Development and Illinois Small Business Development Center. She said: “It was truly inspiring to see 19 venture companies not only complete the competitive process, but also compete and showcase a diverse range of innovative ideas. It reflects an entrepreneurial spirit.
“SIU's Illinois SBDC is excited to offer free advice and workshops to support these local businesses through the competitive process, and the center will continue to build on this momentum and be a catalyst for growth and success. I look forward to continuing” in the local and regional economy. We are driven by the commitment of small business owners and are proud that our office is an important part of their journey. ”
additional winners
The first stage of the contest was a local round in two groups: Marion, Mount Vernon, and Carbondale, with the first place winner receiving a $1,000 prize and the second place winner receiving a $500 prize. A prize was awarded.
The winners, listed alphabetically with location and company representative, are:
First place:
- Chad Harris, Harrison Sleep Institute.
- Elizabeth Canfarelli, Illinois Ozarks Merchandising;
- Plug Boss LLC, Carbondale's new electrical component product launch by J. Mike Knaga.
- Thermakuatika, Scott Hamilton-Brehm.
Second place:
- Caitlin Morrison, Cobden's gift business, Book A Book Box.
- Michael Smith of Fired Up Jellies and Jams, a packaged food company in Carbondale.
- Nicole Hillard, Radiance Coaching LLC, a health and wellness coaching company in Marion;
- Kiya Ransom of Soles, which operates the compression socks business in Carbondale.
The grand prize award ceremony on November 30th was attended by officials from SIU and Regions Bank.
“Our team at Regions Bank always looks forward to participating in this innovative competition,” said Matt Harmon, assistant vice president at Regions Bank. “We would like to thank the entire team at SBDC and SIU for their hard work in making the showcase a reality, and to all the contestants for their creativity and courage in pitching their big ideas. Regions believes that when small businesses thrive, the entire community We are committed to elevating entrepreneurship because we believe that people can thrive. We are proud to support Showcase winners as they take the next step to grow their ideas and businesses. ”
Additional financial support for the contest was provided by Clearwave Fiber, First Southern Bank, Legence Bank, and SIU Now.
