HSIEC Announces Business Plan Competition

CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwire - May 27, 2009) - The Illinois Homeland Security Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (HSIEC) at Northwestern University today announced a Business Plan Competition for Illinois-based businesses with Homeland Security products and services. Small businesses and start-ups in Illinois may compete for a $15,000 grand prize and a $5,000 second prize cash award. Entrants may submit applications until 5pm on June 10, 2009. There is no fee to enter the competition.

Sponsored by HSIEC, a program of the State of Illinois' Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), the Business Plan Competition includes a preliminary round where a panel of small business experts will score each application. Up to five companies will be selected to advance to the contest finals on June 29, 2009. Following a ten-minute oral presentation, judges from the investor community will award the $15,000 cash prize to the top competitor and a $5,000 award to the runner-up.

For more information on the competition and eligibility criteria, visit www.hsiec.org.

About HSIEC

HSIEC delivers specialized business development assistance in homeland security as part of the Illinois Entrepreneurship Network through a joint effort between Northwestern University and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). The Center launched in October 2005. For more information visit http://www.hsiec.org.

About the DCEO

The Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is the lead state agency responsible for improving Illinois' competitiveness in the global economy. Guided by an innovative regional approach, DCEO administers a wide range of economic and workforce development programs, services and initiatives designed to create and retain high quality jobs and build strong communities. DCEO leads the Illinois economic development process in partnership with businesses, local governments, workers and families.

About Northwestern University

Founded in 1851, Northwestern University is one of the country's leading private research universities, with an annual budget of $1.5 billion and sponsored research in excess of $439 million. Located on two lakeshore campuses -- one in Chicago and one in Evanston, the first suburb north of Chicago -- Northwestern enrolls about 17,000 students and has some 2,500 full-time faculty.

The University has a long history of leadership in interdisciplinary research programs and centers. More than 90 school-based centers and 20 University centers support interdisciplinary research that spans a wide spectrum of areas, including neuroscience, nanotechnology, biotechnology, and drug discovery.

Contact Information: Media Contacts: Linda Muskin Clarus Communication 847.432.7300 lmuskin@teamclarus.com