Incubation | Small Business Incubator | SIU

What is an Incubator?
An incubator is a business support process designed to assist start-up and emerging businesses. While emphasis is on providing flexible space for tenants, business support via coaching, access to financing and a host of other services are available. The SIU Incubator provides traditional incubation support services and now includes affiliate and shared equipment lab support.

What is Incubation?
According to the National Business Incubation Association, business incubation is a dynamic process of business enterprise development. An incubator is an organization that is set up to help foster business enterprise development. Incubators help young firms get started and survive at times when they are most vulnerable.

The primary goal of a business incubator is to produce successful businesses that graduate into the region. They offer shared services, access to equipment, flexible leases, and expandable space. Many incubators are located near other services that are valuable to an incubating business. For example, the SIU Incubator Program has the Office of Economic and Regional Development, the Illinois Small Business Development and International Trade Center, and the Illinois Manufacturing Extension Center housed in the Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center.

Why should I join the SIU Incubator Program?
The SIU Incubator Program is here to provide the guidance and consulting necessary to make sure your start-up or expanding business has the right tools necessary to succeed. As a member of the National Business Incubation Association, the SIU Incubator Program has the experience necessary to take your business under our wing. With more than 50 successful graduates emerging from this program, we are one of the most successful business incubation programs in southern Illinois.

Affiliate Incubator Program
The Affiliate Incubator Program allows entrepreneurs and small businesses to utilize all the resources available within the Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center without requiring traditional tenancy. All affiliate clients must submit an application, an executive summary business plan, and meet eligibility requirements. For more information, check out our flyer.