CBEID provides a range of programming to stimulate communication and debate around new ideas in business and ways to develop them.

What is CBEID? The Center for Business Education, Innovation and Development (CBEID) is a not for profit entity formed to foster economic well-being in the Fox River Valley area (Northern Illinois).  Initiated and organized by local citizens, the Center is a proactive response to the challenges and changes rendered by an intensely competitive global economy.  The Center aims to promote economic viability and growth through public education, focusing particularly on small and start-up businesses with innovative business ideas.  

Why Was CBEID Formed? Overall the Tri-Cities have enjoyed the general prosperity of the Midwest for the past 150 years.  The towns have been home to a variety of manufacturing businesses which provided secure employment opportunities, built strong property values, and created communities that supported local retailers, schools, parks, libraries, and municipal services.

However, this financial health faces growing and relentless economic threats. Many Midwest cities and towns have already suffered serious decline due to erosion of traditional industries, relocation of manufacturing, global competition, and failure to attract the new technological enterprises.  

So far the Tri-Cities have survived these changes in relatively good shape.  But rather than simply hope for the best, CBEID is a plan to confront the area’s economic vulnerability by encouraging innovation amongst small and start-up businesses. It is a concerted educational effort by local citizens to sustain the region’s prosperity by inspiring and building an entrepreneurial culture which seeks, explores, and encourages innovative business possibilities.

CBEID's Mission, Vision and Core Values

Mission: CBEID is an all-volunteer initiative promoting new business formation business innovation in the Fox River Valley (Illinois).

Vision: CBEID will be a primary source of expertise, support and connections to start and grow new businesses; an organization fostering entrepreneurial collaboration among new and experienced business professionals of all ages, monitoring our communities’ success at attracting and retaining new business and recommending steps for improvement, and advocating for a civic environment that encourages business creativity. CBEID will be an acknowledged contributor to the Fox River Valley as an important center for developing new businesses.

Core Values:

• To welcome new ideas.
• To contribute to wealth-creation and employment opportunities locally.
• To hold strong and sustainable growth expectations for the businesses we support.
• To collaborate and cooperate; to share and promote information freely at events and through publications and networking.
  

How Will CBEID Achieve Its Objectives? CBEID will engage in a variety of educational activities.

• Forums
• Research
• Publications and Repository of Informative Resources
• Collaborative Councils
• Brainstorming
• Exchange of Success Stories/Best Practices