Illinois APEX Accelerator

Providing guidance for government contracting success since 1985. 

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Last Updated: Mar 10, 2025, 04:14 PM

The Illinois APEX Accelerator provides existing and emerging businesses in Illinois with professional business counseling, training, and the information they need to grow, succeed, and reach their highest potential (apex) in government contracting.

We provide personalized assistance and expert guidance to help you succeed in the competitive world of government procurement. Whether you're just getting started or scaling your contracting efforts, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. 

The Illinois APEX Accelerator at SIU provides no-cost, confidential, one-on-one advising services to address the specific needs of your business and assist you in procuring government contracts. For more information or to set up an appointment, contact us or start here to receive no-cost assistance.

No-Cost Business Assistance 

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About Us

MISSION: Serve as the axis for existing and new business to strengthen the defense industrial base by accelerating innovation, fostering ingenuity, and establishing resilient and diverse supply chains.

VISION: A diverse and resilient domestic industrial base that can deliver preeminent solutions to the military and other government users.

The APEX Accelerators, formerly known as the Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP), was authorized by Congress in 1985 to expand the number of businesses capable of participating in government contracts. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for the FY 2020 ordered the PTAP to move to Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (USD(A&S)); and the DoD Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) began to manage and operate PTAP with a new name, APEX Accelerators, effective FY 2023. The APEX Accelerators program focuses on building a strong, sustainable, and resilient U.S. supply chains by assisting a wide range of businesses that pursue and perform under contracts with the DoD, other federal agencies, state and local governments and with government prime contractors

Learn more about their focus at APEX Accelerators.

About Our Funding

Illinois APEX Accelerator at Southern Illinois University Carbondale is funded through a cooperative agreement with the Department of Defense (DoD). Our program support is made possible by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and Southern Illinois University (SIU).