The Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
Fostering a Culture and Community of Entrepreneurship
Frisco is home to many organizations dedicated to serving entrepreneurs, innovators, and startups.
Startup Frisco is building relationships with these organizations in order to meet more entrepreneurs where they are, and thoughtfully connect them to the necessary resources as they text the next step in their respective journeys.
Startup Frisco’s goal is to enable and empower the next round of innovators, entrepreneurs, and startups that call Frisco home.
Focus Area: Network
Startup Frisco works with organizations and programs in which entrepreneurs, mentors, investors, and partner organizations connect.
Entrepreneurial Programming & Networking
The following partners offer programs and host events to support entrepreneurs.
FEATURED PARTNERS:
Established in 1985, the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Bradley University’s Turner Center for Entrepreneurship has provided business counseling and support to entrepreneurs and existing businesses.
The SBDC also provides assistance in technology commercialization, along with advising rural startups and businesses.
The Minority Business Development Center (MBDC) a 501(c)3 nonprofit, entrepreneurial organization focused on innovative ways to grow minority businesses and a skilled workforce.
MBDC’s mission is to educate and empower those wishing to achieve and maintain financial independence for themselves and the community.
Start Here Greater Peoria's (formerly StartupGP) focus is three-fold: to cultivate a community of innovators who deeply understand market demand, experiment with novel methods of creating value, and to nurture lasting customer relationships both locally and globally.
Creative Entrepreneurship Resources
Partners, programs and spaces that support local makers, artisans, and creators.
PARTNERS:
Big Picture Arts Festival in Peoria’s Warehouse District
Economic Development Organizations
Government and nonprofit entities that collaborate to grow our regional economy
PIA’s “Change the Narrative” Event
Associations and Membership Organizations
Membership organizations that support startups and scale-ups through networking and programming.
PARTNERS:
Greater Peoria Hispanic Chamber Meeting
Spaces to Work
Coworking and meeting spaces for entrepreneurs, creatives, and remote workers.
The Nest Coworking at 820 SW Adams Street
Focus Area: Ideas
PIA works with organizations and programs in which entrepreneurs, mentors, investors, and partner organizations connect. We collaborate with programs and organizations dedicated to fostering innovative companies and products linked to our regional strengths.
Tech Accelerator Operators and Incubators
Partners that offer focused programming and space for tech startups.
FEATURED PROGRAMS:
gBETA is a program of nationally ranked startup accelerator gener8tor. gBETA is a free, seven-week accelerator for early-stage companies with local roots. Each program is capped at five teams, and requires no fees and no equity.
Application Deadline:
September 6, 2021 @ 11:59PM CT
Program Dates:
September 30, 2021 - November 19, 2021
Opening Early 2022
Distillery Labs cultivates the Greater Peoria economy through the blending of people, ideas, and resources (corporate, academic, community) in order to foster a sustainable and connected entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The mission of Distillery Labs is to ignite the future of Greater Peoria’s economy through the connection, support, and advancement of our region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The Peoria NEXT Innovation Center serves as a catalyst in the development of technology based entrepreneurial businesses resulting in the diversification of our regional economy and the establishment of an epicenter for the entrepreneurial community.
Distillery Labs Rendering (Opening in Early 2022)
College & Universities
Higher education partners that feature entrepreneurial curricula, research, and/or technology transfer offices.
Bradley University - Major in Entrepreneurship
Focus Area: People
Institutions, organizations and programs focused on developing, attracting, and retaining talented and passionate entrepreneurs.
Talent Pipeline Development
Organizations that help build the local workforce that supports entrepreneurial businesses.
Focus Area: Capital
The Peoria Innovation Alliance is leveraging public and private investments as a force for equitable entrepreneurial growth.
Business-Friendly Banks and Lending Institutions
Financial resources and technical assistance for small businesses and scale-ups.
FEATURED PROGRAM:
The Business Capacity Conversion Loan is a “standardized’ loan designed to meet working capital needs for businesses. Loan funds may be used for machinery and equipment, furniture and fixtures, inventory and other working capital needs. LEARN MORE
the Business to Landlord Partnership Loan is a “standardized’ loan designed to provide funding for a workout agreement between commercial landlords and their tenants. Eligible expenses include lease payments, leasehold improvements, utilities, taxes, insurance and CAM along with other related expenses. LEARN MORE
Angel Investment and Venture Capital
Funding for startups and early-stage businesses.
PARTNERS:
KeyStart Award Presentation (Sponsored by Attollo) in May 2017
Focus Area: Customers
PIA aims to connect entrepreneurs to institutional buyers for purchasing, licensing, and opportunities for acquisition
Market Access
Organizations that help connect entrepreneurs to local, national, and international buyers.