The Turner Center for Entrepreneurship (SBDC and Peoria Next), IMEC, Barton Makerspace
TOPICS OF DISCUSSION:
- How do you design and create a prototype?
- How does a prototype become a product?
- What is the Barton Makerspace?
- What do you need to bring a product to market?
- What is IMEC?
- How does a product become mass produced?
- How can you partner to scale?
- Why Manufacturing? Why Now? Why Illinois?
- Part 2 in November (10th or 14th TBD) – Manufacturing Partners and Logistics led by IMEC in-person at Peoria NEXT
Who should attend:
- Inventors who need to develop a prototype
- Makers who want to commercialize or scale their products
- Small Scale Fabricators and Manufacturing Shops
- Contract Manufacturing Partners
OUR SPEAKERS:
Jeremy Brockhouse, Bradley University Barton Makerspace: Machine Shop Supervisor and BECC Safety Coordinator
Jeremy Brockhouse brings over 25 years of manufacturing and project management experience. At Bradley University, he oversees the Business and Engineering Convergence Center’s Machine Shop and is the Safety Coordinator for the building. His prior experience as a Production Supervisor at Pursuit Aerospace included managing teams of machinists and leading manufacturing operations for aerospace components.
Adrian Garces, IMEC, Technical Specialist
Technical Specialist at IMEC with 2½ years of experience delivering 400+ services under the SCOIN grant. I leverage analytics and technical expertise to help Illinois manufacturers improve supply chain performance and operational efficiency.
Eric Sampson, Illinois SBDC at Bradley University, Director of the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Bradley University, advises individuals who want to start a business or expand existing businesses. Guidance provided includes developing business and marketing plans, creating financial projections, addressing business formation issues, and obtaining financing. Eric also assists owners and managers of existing small businesses to identify solutions to business related problems, to examine strategic opportunities, expand their product portfolios, and enhance or diversify their sales efforts. His areas of interest include supporting entrepreneurs and local small business owners toward capital funding options, market expansion and improved profitability, and supporting growth, hiring and competitiveness through innovation and effective strategies. Eric received a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Bradley University.
Chris Youngmark, Peoria Next Innovation Center, Director
Peoria Next Innovation Center is a business incubator, featuring wet and dry laboratories, private offices, and shared coworking space for entrepreneurs and small businesses. In partnership with the Turner Center for Entrepreneurship at Bradley University, Peoria NEXT provides an affordable business environment, education, networking, and a host of amenities onsite, with support from Bradley University systems.
Manufacturing 101: MVP to MFG
Date and Time
Wednesday Sep 24, 2025
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CDT
09/24/2025
Time 12:00p-1:00p
Location
Online Webinar
Fees/Admission
No Cost
Contact Information
Katie Whalen
(309) 677-1700
Send Email
