SIU APEX Accelerator

06/01/2026

Join us tomorrowfor 𝐍𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐀 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐦𝐚𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐫𝐬!
June 2 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Southeastern Illinois College Carmi - Zoom option available

Register now: https://ilsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/41985
or email [email protected]

Join the Illinois APEX Accelerators and the Illinois SBDC at Southeastern Illinois College to learn about Government Contracting.

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Looking to grow your business with government contracts?
Illinois APEX Accelerator at SIU helps Southern Illinois businesses prepare to capture more contract dollars.
618-536-2355
[email protected]
Please like, share, and follow us!

05/26/2026

Join us for 𝐍𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐀 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐦𝐚𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐫𝐬!
June 2 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Southeastern Illinois College Carmi - Zoom option available

Register now: https://ilsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/41985
or email [email protected]

Join the Illinois APEX Accelerators and the Illinois SBDC at Southeastern Illinois College to learn about Government Contracting.

---
Looking to grow your business with government contracts?
Illinois APEX Accelerator at SIU helps Southern Illinois businesses prepare to capture more contract dollars.
618-536-2355
[email protected]
Please like, share, and follow us!

05/20/2026

Southern Illinois is gaining momentum, and these new rankings show our region is becoming a serious force in the future of industry, innovation, and economic growth across Illinois.

At the Illinois APEX Accelerator at SIU, we see the opportunity this creates for businesses every day. As industries grow, so do opportunities in government contracting, supply chain participation, innovation partnerships, and manufacturing support.

Looking to grow your business with government contracts?
Illinois APEX Accelerator at SIU helps Southern Illinois provides guidance for government contracting success.
618-536-2355
[email protected]

Please like, share, and follow us!

Southern Illinois continues building momentum, and the latest State of Business 2026 report shows our region is helping lead growth across Illinois. Thank you to Illinois EDC for highlighting the trends shaping our state's future.

Southern Illinois rankings include:
✅ 2nd highest percentage increase in Advanced Manufacturing employment
✅ 2nd in Illinois for percentage job growth in Next Generation Agriculture
✅ 3rd in Illinois for percentage job growth in Life Sciences
✅ Tied for 1st in Illinois for percentage job growth in Information Technology
✅ 1st in Illinois for percentage job growth in Finance & Insurance

These rankings point toward something bigger than statistics. Our region is building momentum through investment, innovation, infrastructure, workforce development, and the R4 Advantage: Roads, Rivers, Rails, and Runways.

Southern Illinois is positioning itself to compete and win in Illinois' next era of growth.

READ MORE HERE: https://southernillinoisnow.org/southern-illinois-is-building-momentum-in-illinois-next-era-of-growth/

05/05/2026

What is your non-profit's funding strategy right now?

Here is a no-cost workshop, hosted by SIU Office of Innovation and Economic Development and the City of Carbondale to help you keep your organization in it and growing over the long haul.

May 19 | 8:30 - 10:00 AM | Carbondale Civic Center

Hear from Rex Duncan, Nonprofit Strategist, from SIU Office of Innovation and Economic Development!

RSVP for this workshop today.
See press release in post and please share.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  CARBONDALE - The SIU Office of Innovation and Economic Development and the City of Carbondale are hosting a no-cost workshop for nonprofits related to funding strategies.

04/21/2026

💡 Have an idea but not sure how it becomes funded

At SouthernTECH 2026, learn from Jerry Hollister of BBC Entrepreneurial Training and Consulting, who has helped companies secure millions in Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) awards and scale technologies into real world impact.

You will gain insight into:
🚧 Why promising innovations fail to transition
🏛 How government agencies actually buy new technology
🎯 How to identify the real buyer and funding source
💰 Pathways including SBIR, STTR, Other Transaction Authority (OTA), and Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs)
With experience as a Department of Defense contracting officer and startup executive, Jerry brings a practical, real world perspective on turning ideas into funded opportunities.

Plus, you will also get:
🧠 Logic and AI in government sales strategy
🔐 Clarity on CMMC and cybersecurity requirements

📅 Wednesday, April 29
⏰ 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM
📍 Carbondale and virtual
👉 Register: https://siu-southerntech2026.eventbrite.com

For event info call 618/536-2355.
For disability accommodations call 618/453-5738.

Join us at SouthernTECH 2026 for a contractor-focused day exploring government sales, cybersecurity, and innovation!

04/21/2026

🔐 Cybersecurity is no longer optional in government contracting

At SouthernTECH 2026, hear from Leslie Weinstein, The Cyber Advisor, a national security and cybersecurity expert with experience across the Department of Defense, intelligence community, and defense industrial base.

Leslie will break down what businesses actually need to know about Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) and compliance.

You will walk away understanding:
✔ When CMMC applies to your business
✔ What Levels 1, 2, and 3 really mean
✔ How to avoid costly compliance mistakes
✔ How to build a right sized approach without overspending

Leslie brings a rare combination of technical, operational, and legal expertise, giving you clear and practical guidance in a rapidly changing environment.

Plus, you will also learn:
🧠 How AI is shaping government sales strategy
💡 How innovation moves into funded opportunities

📅 Wednesday, April 29
⏰ 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM
📍 Carbondale and virtual

👉 Register: https://siu-southerntech2026.eventbrite.com

For event info call 618/536-2355.
For disability accommodations call 618/453-5738.

Join us at SouthernTECH 2026 for a contractor-focused day exploring government sales, cybersecurity, and innovation!

04/17/2026

🚀 Ready to elevate your government contracting game

At SouthernTECH 2026, learn from Michael LeJeune of RSM Federal, a nationally recognized expert who has helped contractors win over $14.6 billion in federal awards.

This opening session will show you how to move from inconsistent wins to structured, repeatable growth using:
🧠 Logic and artificial intelligence (AI) in government sales
🎯 Smarter market research and positioning
📈 Strategies that actually build a pipeline

Michael is known for breaking down complex GovCon strategies into clear, executable steps you can use immediately.

Plus, you will also get:
🔐 Clarity on Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC)
💡 Insight into turning innovation into funded opportunities

🎁 BONUS: All attendees receive a FREE e book by Michael LeJeune

📅 Wednesday, April 29
⏰ 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM
📍 Carbondale and virtual

👉 Register: https://siu-southerntech2026.eventbrite.com

For event info call 618-536-2355.
For disability accommodations call 618-453-5738.

04/08/2026

Small businesses, don’t miss this opportunity 👇

Join the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St. Louis District Small Business Industry Day on April 16 from 2–5 PM at the Soldiers Memorial Military Museum in downtown St. Louis.

Connect directly with USACE districts, learn about upcoming opportunities, and hear from SBA and APEX Accelerators. Plus, a leadership panel and built-in networking with decision-makers.

If you’re serious about government contracting, this is time well spent.

Small businesses are invited to attend the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District Small Business Industry Day on April 16, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Soldiers Memorial Military Museum in downtown St. Louis.

This event offers a valuable opportunity to connect with USACE representatives, learn about upcoming procurement opportunities, and gain insight into how to do business with the agency.

The program will feature presentations from the St. Louis District, Memphis District Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St. Paul District, along with the U.S. Small Business Administration and APEX Accelerators. Attendees will also hear from a leadership panel and have time to network with key personnel and fellow small business owners.

Register by April 13, 2026, to attend:

https://forms.osi.apps.mil/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=unZN_HzxUEy5p48xY9J1gpWabFvV-zBLtVnSgXBEwdxUQzROQUZOWEZFNk1GNlo3QVJaN1RKVkszUi4u