Entrepreneurs
The Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce offers a variety of programs and services specifically for Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses. The Chamber encourages small businesses to join and participate in Chamber events. These programs are great opportunities to learn more about topics important to you and to meet other small business owners and make valuable connections. Click here for more information on Chamber programs.
The Peoria Region's ability to stand strong during economic downturns is largely due to its friendly environment for new and developing businesses. Peoria was ranked by CNN Money as the fifth best midsized city in the U.S. to launch a small business in 2009 and the city continues to rank well in Milken Institute's annual Best-Performing Cities – 200 Largest Metros list. These [accolades] are due in part to the entrepreneurial spirit that this region has embraced and the resources that are now in place for start up businesses.
Peoria NEXT is a big component of that entrepreneurial spirit. Peoria NEXT is an organization of The Heartland Partnership that aims to facilitate Discovery, Innovation and Commercialization of new technologies through collaboration and creativity for economic development. The organization turned 10 on September 11, 2011 and has grown tremendously since its inception. Peoria NEXT opened an Innovation Center in 2007 to serve as a business incubator to increase economic growth, diversity, and opportunities in the Peoria area. The not-for-profit organization is striving to become the preferred location in the Midwest for research, innovation, development, and commercialization in the areas of engineering, medicine, bio-engineering, and agriculture. Since its opening. the incubator has graduated three companies, including high-tech medical device developer Endotronix and flow control manufacturer Lumec, which won the Illinois DCEO's statewide “Innovate Illinois” entrepreneurial and innovation competition in 2010.
Peoria NEXT named it's new CEO Grant Brewen in November 2011 and looks forward to conitnued growth in the technology commercialization arena.
HEARTLAND CAPITAL NETWORK
Oftentimes, one of the biggest hurdles for a start-up company is finding capital. The Heartland Capital Network and Peoria NEXT create funding streams for startup companies through new venture funds and angel investing. The Heartland Partnership family of companies helps facilitate relationships between investors and entrepreneurs that will benefit both.
We are able to connect start up businesses them with resources and smart solutions. We bring likeminded people together and provide a venue for them to grow their innovations. We are working hard to create a much more diversified regional economy and turn the region into a desired location for new businesses.