Launching or growing a business in Peoria County?
We Can Help!

Starting or expanding a business can be daunting. The Greater Peoria area has many organizations dedicated to helping businesses start, grow, and thrive, but it can be hard to know where to start or find the resources you need at the time you need them. Multiple community partners have come together and partnered with SmartStart Dashboard to guide you step by step through the process of launching or growing your business. You can jump in at any point on your business journey!

Whether you consider yourself a startup, local business owner, or entrepreneur, we have the tools to get you going.

Get Started
Grants

Peoria County Grants

Once you complete your SmartStart phases, you can apply for a business assistance grant from Peoria County. Learn more here.

To be eligible to apply for the grant, you must work with at least two Mentors who will walk you through the four phases. They will have worksheets and other templates to help you, which will become part of your grant application packet. You must engage with these Mentors in the first phase, called Customer Development.

*If you have already completed all four phases, no problem! Simply go back and uncheck the task items and send a Help Request in the Customer Development phase.*

Get Started

SmartStart Dashboard Tool

It can be difficult to know where to start. This free tool is your one stop shop for resources and support. Jump in and get started on your business journey!

Break Your Business Journey into Manageable Phases

Get Started
SmartStart Dashboard

Connect with Local Experts Along the Way

Andrew Ngui

Andrew Ngui

Greater Peoria Economic Development Corporation (GPEDC), Distillery Labs
Brenda Grove

Brenda Grove

SCORE Peoria
Eric Sampson

Eric Sampson

Illinois SBDC at Bradley University
Mike Stubbs

Mike Stubbs

Illinois SBDC at Bradley University
Nate Domenighini

Nate Domenighini

Distillery Labs
Chris Youngmark

Chris Youngmark

Illinois SBDC at Bradley University
Marcos Hashimoto

Marcos Hashimoto

Turner School of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (Bradley University Students Only)
Fred Stewart

Fred Stewart

Minority Business Development Center (MBDC)
View Our Mentors

Incentives Along the Way

As you move through the dashboard’s phases, you may be eligible for incentives that will help your business move forward. Our goal is to keep you motivated as you move through the process of launching or expanding your business – we know from experience it can be tough!

Start your journey today!

Get Started
Incentives Along the Way

Community Partners

Start A Business Greater Peoria
Start A Business Greater Peoria
Start A Business Greater Peoria
Start A Business Greater Peoria
Start A Business Greater Peoria
Start A Business Greater Peoria

Contact Us

We are here to help you grow your business. For more information about our resources and growth oppourtunities, please visit our contact page to connect with our team.

Get in Touch
[tribe_events_list limit="3"] View All Upcoming Events