Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Showcase, set for Dec. 4, is a unique celebration of some of the region’s newest and best innovators, inventors and entrepreneurs.
Everyone is welcome to attend the 4:30-6:30 p.m. event at the Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center, 1740 Innovation Drive. The evening will feature SIU patent presentations and recognition for graduates of two of the center’s programs and the winners of a business plan competition as well as other notable accomplishments. Hunan Fine Asian Cuisine will provide refreshments.
The event honoring those who are working to stand out from the crowd with fresh, innovative ideas and hard work to succeed in the marketplace begins with appetizers and cocktails at 4:30 p.m. followed by the program and awards at 5 p.m. and wraps up with a social/networking hour at 5:30 p.m.
“This event recognizes and celebrates innovation and entrepreneurship, offering a unique opportunity for those attending to see some of the creative activities and transformative projects that are taking shape at SIU and throughout the region,” said Lynn Andersen Lindberg, executive director of Innovation and Economic Development and the SIU Research Park. “The showcase is a special evening that highlights the progress being made, the ideas moving from vision to reality and the people making it happen. It’s a moment to recognize both the talent that is here and the possibilities ahead.”
Recognizing outstanding achievements
A diverse array of activities will take place during the showcase to spotlight a variety of accomplishments. SIU will honor the innovative faculty and staff who have received patents for inventions or processes during the last year.
The university’s Illinois Economic Empowerment Center will recognize representatives of area businesses who recently completed and graduated from the comprehensive 10-week Launch That Business “fast-track” training program. The intensive program is specially designed to assist home-based or small business entrepreneurs in taking their business concepts to the next level. Showcase organizers will also recognize graduates of the Carbondale Accelerator program, a City of Carbondale and Illinois Small Business Development Center initiative.
In addition, the evening will feature the announcement of the winners of the 2025 Southern Illinois Business Plan Competition Powered by Regions Bank. The competition invited participation from entrepreneurs with new business concepts, pre-venture plans or existing small businesses from 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 or Williamson counties. Participants in the fourth annual contest competed for a share of more than $20,000 in prize money and in-kind services.
Event organizers include SIU’s Office of Innovation and Economic Development, the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at SIU and the SIU Foundation.
For more information about the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Showcase or SIU’s Office of Innovation and Economic Development, call 618-536-4451 or email lindberg@siu.edu.
