Opportunities for Entrepreneurs

Living the American dream

Do you have a big idea? Are you searching for a way to make it a reality? The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in Springfield, and small businesses with innovative concepts help to build our community.

Developing a business plan, finding funding, researching the market, locating the right space and launching your business are just a few of the steps to starting a new business. But you don’t have to do it alone.

Many of the facilities in IDEA Commons can help you on your quest:

Robert W. Plaster Center for Free Enterprise and Business Development

Once it opens in the spring of 2012, the Robert W. Plaster Center for Free Enterprise and Business Development will serve as the primary source of the entrepreneurial support in IDEA Commons, utilizing the resources of the Small Business and Technology Development Center. Until the Plaster Center is fully operational, many of the resources can be found through the Small Business & Technology Development Center, which is housed on the Missouri State University campus in Glass Hall.

Networking

Networking and collaboration opportunities with other tenants in IDEA Commons will allow you to brainstorm, share resources and develop more efficient practices.

Missouri State Partnership

IDEA Commons is closely tied with Missouri State University, and through this relationship, you will be able to easily recruit like-minded, progressive-thinking students and recent graduates to work alongside you as you build your organization.

Springfield Innovation, Inc

Springfield Innovation, Inc. is an entrepreneurial support arm of the Jordan Valley Innovation Center which will manage the Robert W. Plaster Center for Free Enterprise and Business Development incubator space. This space, funded by an Economic Development Administration grant, will be the perfect place to launch your new business without all of the initial overhead costs. Until the Plaster Center opens, you can receive many resources directly through Springfield Innovation, Inc.

Available locations

Once you have established your market and are prepared to move out of the incubator space, there are many locations available in IDEA Commons ideal for your expansion.