Hello Greater Peoria > Work Here > Start a Business

Helping new businesses launch is something we do quite well in Greater Peoria. Utilize these area startup resources.

Say Hello to Your Startup Coaches

Meet the people who will personally guide you as you conceive, plan, and launch your business.

Ross Miller, Director Illinois Small Business Development Center

ross-millerRoss assists entrepreneurs in the process of starting small businesses. Contact Ross and attend a “How To Start A Business” workshop to start your startup journey.
(309) 677-2992
illinoissbdc@bradley.edu

Randon Gettys,
Startup GP Coordinator

Ryan-Gettys-Head-ShotRandon helps catalyze entrepreneurial efforts through Startup Greater Peoria. Contact Randon and plug into Greater Peoria’s startup community.
309.495.5972
rgettys@greaterpeoriaedc.org

Get Started at The Illinois SBDC

Illiinois SBDC Color Band FINAL 300×181 294×177 1

The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides free business counseling and low-cost training programs for existing and startup businesses in Central Illinois. Services include:

  • Guidance through business startup steps
  • Training on how to write a Business Plan
  • Critique and suggestions on Business Plan content
  • Analysis of feasibility of new business ideas.
  • Provide low cost marketing ideas.
  • Referrals to area professional services providers and lending institutions.

Learn more…

Step One

Attend a free “How To Start A Business” workshop. There you’ll learn the legal ins and outs of starting a business in Illinois. Workshop Info…

Step Two

Schedule 1-on-1 business guidance with the SBDC, where you will plan your launch, develop your business model canvas, write your business plan, and more.

Contact the SBDC

Ready to get going? Contact:
Ross Miller, Director Illinois SBDC
(309) 677-2992
illinoissbdc@bradley.edu

Jumpstart Your Business Idea & Join the Startup Greater Peoria Community

Startup GP Logo In Square

Startup GP is growing a community of thinkers, doers and innovators in Central Illinois. Startup GP provides training, collaboration, and mentorship in order to connect all sorts of talents and sprout startups. Get plugged in by attending one of Startup GP’s many events.
View the Startup GP Website…

Startup Peoria Initiatives

The Nest

The Nest

The Nest Coworking is a shared office space providing the flexibility and resources required by independent professionals. Featuring work space, meeting rooms, and 1Gbps fiber wifi. More →

Startup Travel Grant

Startup Travel Grant

The Startup Travel Grant is for those that need to travel in order to take the next step in growing their business. We want to fund the trip that will help entrepreneurs and startup companies meet with potential investors, suppliers, and customers. More →

Guides

Guides

Guides is a mentor connection program specifically for scalable startups. The purpose of Guides is to match entrepreneurs and founders with people in the community with specific experience or specific area of expertise. More →

Slack Team

Slack Team

Our goal is to gather as many people from the GP startup community into one place where they can meet others that hold similar values, discuss ideas, give advice, and talk about their ventures. Our hope is that Slack will be able to enable connectivity within our startup community. More →

KeyStart

KeyStart

KeyStart is a business pre-accelerator and pitch competition providing entrepreneurs with fast access to capital. KeyStart awards a $10K business development grant to one new business idea at each event. More →

Mixer Events

Mixer Events

Our Mixer events connect local entrepreneurs, investors, mentors, service providers, and others. There will be four Mixer events held in 2017. Our objective is to engineer connectivity within the Greater Peoria startup community, while having a good time doing it. More →

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