CARBONDALE - Fifteen Southern Illinois businesses are going to Chicago June 15 to compete in next month's INNOVATE Illinois Challenge, which makes up roughly half of the total 33 businesses seeking the grand prize in the statewide competition this year.

Representatives of the Southern Illinois Entrepreneurship Center, the southernmost host of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity contest, announced the 15 finalists going to the Windy City to compete for $175,000 in cash Monday at the Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center (see sidebar).

Ray Lenzi, associate vice chancellor of economic and regional development at Southern Illinois University Carbondale - which houses the entrepreneurship center - said Southern Illinois holds a strong showing in the competition.

"We had more applicants than any other region in the state, and we're the only region with 15 finalists moving on in the state competition," Lenzi said.

Entrepreneurship center director Emily Carter said each of the finalists "were in a very competitive position going into Chicago."

More than 100 companies submitted applications and business plans for the contest. Southern Illinois alone distributed $40,000 in prize money to local finalists. They will have the chance to receive more money in next month's final round at the University of Illinois Chicago.

SIU President Glenn Poshard, who spoke at Monday's announcement, said innovators represent the highest level of thinkers in society, and Southern Illinois is proud to have so many innovations.

"All of the finalists here today are winners, because it is their level of thinking that will create the jobs and market for the future of Southern Illinois," Poshard said.

"Entrepreneurs and small businesses are the cornerstone of the Illinois economy and critical to creating more good jobs, so it's essential that we provide them with the resources they need to grow," said Gov. Rod Blagojevich in a written statement.

"INNOVATE Illinois is another creative way we are mentoring our entrepreneurs, and these state finalists are more examples of why Illinois is such a great place to do business. This competition, and everyone who has participated, is proving we have the talent, ideas and ingenuity to create all kinds of new and successful companies and more jobs across the state," Blagojevich added.

caleb.hale@thesouthern.com

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