Small Business Incubator | Southern Illinois University

The Office of Economic and Regional Development at Southern Illinois University Carbondale established the Small Business Incubator Program with assistance from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (formerly the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs). This program has assisted more than 50 organizations start and expand their operations since its inception in 1990. It is housed within the Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center in the SIU Research Park, adjacent to the main campus at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

The Small Business Incubator Program is managed by the Illinois Small Business Development Center, which is also located within the Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center.  The SBDC provides a full range of business development assistance for entrepreneurs, including one-on-one consulting, workshop and training events, and business plan development.

The mission of the Small Business Incubator Program is to accelerate the start-up and expansion of small businesses in southern Illinois. The program is here to provide the guidance and consulting necessary to make sure those start-up and expanding firms have the tools necessary to succeed.

Value Added Services Provided:

• Business Coaching
• Business Planning
• Start-up/Expansion Assistance
• Resource Networks
• Meeting Room Space
• Member of the National Business Incubator Association
• High Speed Internet Access
• Peer-to-peer Networking
• Mentoring Access
• Flexible Lease Terms
• SIU Research Park Linkage