Distillery Labs names new Executive Director
(July 25, 2023 | Peoria, Ill.) Distillery Labs has named Doug Cruitt, MBA, as its new Executive Director. The technology and innovation center launched in 2020 as part of the larger Illinois Innovation Network.
Cruitt comes to Distillery Labs as the founding principal of RIVR Strategic Coaching, a boutique strategic consulting and coaching firm specializing in entrepreneurship, leadership, self-improvement and strategic support to help others grow, lead and succeed. He also serves as a mentor at Distillery Labs, a mentor at the University of Illinois iVenture Accelerator program, is a committee member for the Peoria Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership School, and has founded or helped others launch and scale more than 15 startups over the course of his career.
“The role of Executive Director at Distillery Labs sits at the convergence of three things that I am most passionate about (outside of my family): community, entrepreneurship, and positively impacting the lives of others. To be given the opportunity to be a part of building and leading Distillery Labs is truly an honor. I look forward to stepping into this role to serve and support entrepreneurs throughout the region,” said Cruitt.
Cruitt takes over for Paul Leamon, the organization’s first executive director, who has remained as a consultant to Chris Setti, CEO of the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council (GPEDC), who has been the interim head of Distillery Labs since April of 2022.
“The search was pretty amazing. We had a great panel of community stakeholders from the economic development and entrepreneurial space,” explained Setti. “What stood out about Doug is that he has a really interesting background of working in corporate structures, but also in more entrepreneurial ventures. He's done mentoring with some of our startups and is big on studying and teaching leadership. And I think that this job, in addition to being a leader of Distillery Labs, is a community leadership position.”
“A big thanks goes to Chris Setti – and the GPEDC Board – for allowing Chris to step in and guide Distillery Labs these past 15 months,” said Bob Sehring, CEO of OSF HealthCare and chairman of the Distillery Labs board. “A strong foundation has been laid, and we are excited to welcome Doug as executive director. We look forward to him expanding the already welcoming entrepreneurial and innovative spirit that exists throughout the Greater Peoria community. We know under his leadership the relationships with already established community partners will continue to grow and ideas and new concepts will flourish, making this area even more attractive to businesses looking to recruit forward-thinking individuals, the best and brightest.”
Distillery Labs, which is funded through a $10 million grant that is part of the larger Illinois Innovation Network, will be located on Adams Street in downtown Peoria in the Thomas Building, a 50,000 square foot facility formerly occupied by Illinois Central College. Construction on the space will begin in late August. A ceremony celebrating the start of construction will be held on Thursday, August 17 at 10 am at Distillery Labs, 201 SW Adams St., Peoria.
Distillery Labs will ultimately be a tech, innovation and incubation community designed to foster opportunity throughout the greater Peoria region. It will have classes, workshops, public-private partnerships, student opportunities, and more.
Cruitt, who starts his new role July 31, is excited about the opportunities and possibilities that lie ahead.
“Building a strong startup community and entrepreneurial ecosystem is not a linear process where we can accurately predict its growth and evolution. The entire ecosystem will take many shapes and sizes over the coming years, decades, and beyond. I believe that at any given time, our ecosystem will be only a fraction of what it will become. And that should excite people. Look at all the resources we currently have in our region to support entrepreneurs. Look at the startup success stories of years past as well as the ones happening right now. Look at the momentum building around the region as a whole thanks to initiatives like Choose Greater Peoria and others,” said Cruitt. “Look at how well our region gives back to its community through supporting non-profits. Look at the pride and love that most citizens have for this place they call home. Look at the midwestern work ethic and resilience of its people. As you take a step back and look at all these things, recognize that this is only a fraction of what we will one day be. How exciting is that? Now, think about what our region will look like when we are globally recognized as a hub for entrepreneurs to launch and grow companies, drive innovation, and spur economic growth.”
First published by OSF Healthcare, July 25, 2023 at this link.
Distillery Labs announces showcase featuring 10 local startups
(June 5, 2023 | Peoria, Ill.) Distillery Labs and gener8tor are delighted to announce the gBETA Distillery Labs Startup Showcase will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday, June 28, at the Peoria Riverfront Museum. This event is designed to foster entrepreneurship and innovation by connecting the region’s brilliant scientists with ambitious entrepreneurs and valuable resources.
The Distillery Labs gBETA Showcase event will provide an exceptional platform for the ten startup companies that completed the Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 gBETA accelerator programs to present their groundbreaking ideas.
As a major highlight of the event, we are thrilled to announce that Bobby Hambrick, founder of AutonomouStuff and the Hambrick Foundation, will be our keynote speaker. Hambrick's pioneering work in autonomous technologies and his philanthropic endeavors make him a leading figure in our innovation community.
The gBETA Distillery Labs Startup Showcase will also serve as a nexus for the exchange of ideas and resources, with an expected audience of over two hundred people. The keynote speech and startup pitches will be conducted in the Museum’s Giant Screen Theater. The lobby will serve as a gathering and networking space with opportunities to learn more about each startup founder and other community resources. This free event also includes a hosted bar and heavy appetizers.
We are excited about the prospects for this event and the potential further to establish Greater Peoria as a center for innovation and entrepreneurship. This event encourages networking, promotes information exchange, and aims to recruit more founders, mentors, and investors for Distillery Labs, gBETA, and our mentor/investor swarms.
gBETA programming at Distillery Labs is made possible by a partnership with gener8tor through generous support from our investors: OSF Healthcare, Peoria County, Atollo, Hanson Professional Services, Central Illinois Angels, INB and the DBZCAR Family Fund. While the event is free, we encourage you to RSVP at www.distillerylabs.org early to secure your place at this must-attend event. Join us in shaping the future of entrepreneurship and innovation in Greater Peoria.
Press Contact: Christopher Setti, (309) 472-6291 or csetti@greaterpeoriaedc.org.
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About Distillery Labs
Distillery Labs is the premier innovation hub in Peoria, Illinois, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship across the region. Our goal is to empower scientists, entrepreneurs, and innovative thinkers to turn their ideas into reality, contributing to our area's economic development and growth.
About gBETA
gBETA is a program by gener8tor, a nationally ranked accelerator that works with startups in various stages of growth. The program offers early-stage companies with coaching, mentorship, and connections to capital and industry influencers.
About the gBETA Distillery Labs graduates:
Alevan Botanica is a holistic wellness brand rooted in Ayurveda and aromatherapy. Customers find balance and wellness through holistic products, yoga & fitness classes, and workshops. Alevan Botanica is an experience for clients that provides techniques and products to find optimal health and wellness.
Drizzl leverages communication between underground sensors and a corresponding app to optimize water usage while minimizing consumer costs. Drizzl allows users to collectively reduce the American daily irrigation water usage by 4.5-13.5 billion liters and save 10 to 25 percent on individual water bills.
Perikles is an election information application focused on reaching apathetic voters. Users will have access to information on their polling location, how they can register to vote, and access to their ballot in an organized user friendly platform.
the CLAW is the world’s first epoxy applicator to utilize a screwing system rather than the ratcheting mechanism in current epoxy guns, which maximizes mechanical advantage and efficiency while minimizing effort and reducing injuries for the operator.
WooshBall is the most innovative, inclusive, and status-quo-busting offering to hit the sporting goods market. WooshBall utilizes the WooshBat that enables everyone to be a hitter with a wider barrel that uses high tension strings with 2x the hitting surface, 3x the sweet spot, propelling hits twice as far. It inspired the creation of new, fast-paced, action-packed games – exciting players and spectators alike.
Afterfund increases donor impact while creating sustainable funding for nonprofits. The company provides a donor platform that connects donors to different causes. Donations are invested in a manner consistent with donor values, and the profits from the investment benefit the nonprofit.
Foraged Roots Apothecary educates people about sustainable fashion through natural dyeing workshops and naturally dyed accessories for purchase at retail.
Galacto Corporation artificial intelligence systems target accessibility and quality of life for users. We offer a consumer application with advanced and novel features such as voice recognition for wearable AI use. Our subscribers can interact with artificial intelligence in new ways, improving their work and private lives. Galacto Corporation has a working prototype, beta testers, and plans to scale.
Rise Up Health & Wellness provides a holistic proactive wellness experience to help people achieve and sustain a healthier way of life, revolutionizing the health and wellness industry.
The Farm Sitter is the solution for rural and farm families seeking animal care. Customers and qualified Farm Sitters will connect on FarmSit.com, an online platform facilitating contact, offering payment solutions, and providing education and support services for user and animal well-being.
DISTILLERY LABS ANNOUNCES NEW TIMELINE FOR CONSTRUCTION AND GRAND OPEN; LAUNCHES NATIONAL SEARCH FOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
(April 19, 2023 | Peoria, Ill.) – The Distillery Labs board of directors announced this week the successful completion of its public construction bid process and approval from both the state and federal granting agencies to move to the next phase of redevelopment of the previous Illinois Central College building at 201 SW Adams in Peoria, IL. The 40,000 plus square foot building will be completely renovated to house a world-class startup and technology incubation center complete with public education and training facilities, offices and coworking areas, and maker spaces including a commercial test kitchen, cut-and-sew, and prototyping equipment.
The construction professional team, led by PointCore as construction manager and The Farnsworth Group and Gensler as architects and engineers, have already begun work on equipment procurement given continued supply chain issues across the broader construction industry. Full construction is anticipated to commence late summer 2023 with a grand opening of Distillery Labs in mid-2024.
“We’re all breathing a sigh of relief that we’ve finally reached the construction phase,” said Chris Setti, interim Executive Director and member of the board of directors for Distillery Labs. “Inflation headwinds, labor shortages, and general supply chain issues in construction resulted in unfortunate delays over the last two years, but the team has worked incredibly hard to create a project the entire Greater Peoria region can be proud of and will support our local entrepreneurs and innovators for decades to come.”
Now that the construction phase has started, the Distillery Labs’ board is launching a nation-wide search for its next full time Executive Director, someone to build on the programming and entrepreneurial education already begun by the previous leadership team and an incredible group of community volunteers. “This leadership role and the overall Distillery Labs mission are integral to Greater Peoria’s technology and innovation advancement, and will continue to set our region apart as a supportive community for entrepreneurs,” said Bob Sehring, CEO of OSF HeathCare and chairman of the Distillery Labs board. “Now with a clear line of sight to our grand opening, we’re excited to bring in a new leader to build on our early successes such as our accelerator program now in its second year, gBeta Distillery Labs, our monthly educational Biz Labs, and numerous networking events across the community.”
Candidates for the Executive Director position at Distillery Labs are encouraged to read the job description at www.distillerylabs.org. Qualified candidates can submit a cover letter summarizing their experience and why they are interested in the position, along with a resume, to careers@distillerylabs.org.
Media inquiries should be directed to Chris Setti, interim Executive Director, at csetti@greaterpeoriaedc.org or (309) 472-6291.
DISTILLERY LABS PARTNERS WITH gener8tor for new accelerator
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(June 1, 2021| Peoria, Ill.) – Nationally ranked startup accelerator gener8tor, OSF HealthCare, Peoria County, Hanson Professional Services, Central Illinois Angels and Attollo have announced a new partnership to help accelerate the growth of startup companies in the Greater Peoria region. Beginning this fall, two annual gBETA “pre-accelerator” programs will be offered to local entrepreneurs through this collaboration.
gBETA accelerates the growth of early-stage companies through its network-driven program. gBETA supports five teams per cohort and requires no fees and no equity. Since launching in 2015, gBETA program alumni have raised $188M+ in capital and created 2,000+ jobs across the U.S. and Canada. gBETA is designed to help startups gain early customer traction for their product or idea, and establish and execute on metrics that make them competitive applicants for full-time, equity-based accelerators or seed investment. Participants receive intensive and individualized coaching and access to gener8tor’s national network of mentors, customers, corporate partners and investors.
The gBETA program in Greater Peoria will be an initiative of Distillery Labs, which is positioned to become the epicenter of the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem and is one of 15 members of the Illinois Innovation Network. Distillery Labs is also located within the Innovation District in the heart of downtown Peoria. The name reflects Peoria’s entrepreneurial heritage that led to its reputation as the “Whiskey Capital of the World” during the last half of the 19th century and now harkens toward the principles needed to build future businesses in the region: the distilling of ideas into thriving new companies.
Distillery Labs Executive Director Paul Leamon says it’s fitting to have gBETA as Distillery Lab’s first, big initiative.
“We’re excited to be launching a program with a successful track record from a world class accelerator such as gener8tor. Entrepreneurs in the gBETA Distillery Labs program will have the opportunity to leverage national resources and a support network to take their idea from concept to potentially the Peoria region’s next Fortune 500 company.”
Peoria-based OSF HealthCare, a 14-hospital system with primary, specialty, and home health care, plus an ever-expanding digital health program, is a major sponsor of the gBETA effort.
Kip McCoy, vice president for Innovation Integration explains, “This next-level support will cultivate entrepreneurs and startups from a number of sources, including those that may result from concepts and inventions from local companies, like OSF, and provide them with additional expertise and access to capital to take their solution to a commercial product or service.”
“The County of Peoria views its partnership and investment in gBETA as vital to the innovation and entrepreneurial economy in our community and region,” said Scott Sorrell, Peoria County administrator. “Investing in gBETA will prepare the entrepreneurs in our community for success and future equity and venture capital funding opportunities that will spur their growth and expansion.”
“The Greater Peoria region recently adopted a new five-year Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. An underlying theme of the plan was a need for greater resiliency, a condition only achieved by having a broader economy that supports small and medium sized businesses,” said Christopher Setti, CEO of the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council. “The gBETA program is an excellent example of putting that strategy into action.”
Peoria has been recognized as one of the top 50 best cities across the Midwest for startups for its growing amount of resources, low overhead costs, global connections, highly-skilled workforce and network of supportive partners. gBETA aims to be another layer in the growth of Peoria and draw in other resources across the country to amplify the local entrepreneurial ecosystem and the outcomes it’s able to achieve. Peoria will be the 28th market where gBETA is offered; the mentors, investors, and corporate partners from the other 27 markets will be available to local Peoria entrepreneurs through this partnership.
“We are excited to help bring gener8tor and its gBETA program to Peoria’s entrepreneurial ecosystem,” said Kurt Bialobreski, P.E., PTOE, assistant vice president and Hanson’s chief innovation officer. “This program will help bring startups to Distillery Labs and the Central Illinois Living Laboratory, and, ultimately, support the development of smart city technologies in central Illinois.”
A not-for-profit that has been seeding Peoria-area start-ups since 2009 is excited to see the effort expand.
Board President Jim Cote said, “Central Illinois Angels is pleased and proud to support the gBETA effort as it becomes established in Peoria. Our members are excited to help new companies learn more about the great business environment that is offered by our region and how we can be a part of their success”
gener8tor is currently hiring a director to operate the gBETA program and is accepting applications from startups to take part in the inaugural gBETA Distillery Labs program. Startups across all industries and geographies within the Greater Peoria region will be considered. Office hours are available to entrepreneurs throughout the Greater Peoria region to get support for their business and learn more about applying for the gBETA program. More information is available at http://www.gbetastartups.com/distillery-labs.
The gBETA Distillery Labs program is offered thanks to the support of OSF Healthcare, Peoria County, Hanson Professional Services, Central Illinois Angels, and Attollo.
A digital version of this news release with photos, video and audio clips is available on the OSF Newsroom.
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About OSF Healthcare
OSF HealthCare is an integrated health system owned and operated by The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, headquartered in Peoria, Illinois. OSF HealthCare employs more than 23,600 Mission Partners in 147 locations, including 14 hospitals – ten acute care, four critical access – with 2,097 licensed beds, and two colleges of nursing throughout Illinois and Michigan. The OSF HealthCare physician network employs more than 1,500 primary care, specialist and advanced practice providers. OSF HealthCare, through OSF Home Care Services, operates an extensive network of home health and hospice services. It also owns Pointcore, Inc., comprised of health care-related businesses; OSF HealthCare Foundation, the philanthropic arm for the organization; and OSF Ventures, which provides investment capital for promising health care innovation startups. More at https://www.osfhealthcare.org.
OSF Innovation, launched in 2016, is a multidisciplinary innovation center focused on internal and external innovation to solve the largest health care challenges. More at www.osfinnovation.org.
About Peoria County
Known as the Heart of Illinois, Peoria County (est. pop. 180,000) is at the center of a multiple county region along the Illinois River. The region has a booming medical community and is home to a variety of firms that focus on innovation, research, and development. Peoria County boasts big city assets, including a vibrant arts scene, sports venues, recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts and family-friendly adventures, regional airport, and multiple institutions of higher learning. Combined with a low cost of living, affordable housing, cultural festivals, and hardly any traffic, Peoria County is an ideal place to call home. More at https://www.peoriacounty.org/
About Hanson Professional Services
Hanson Professional Services Inc. is a national, employee-owned consulting firm providing engineering, planning and allied services. Established in 1954, Hanson provides services to public- and private-sector clients throughout the U.S. and abroad from six markets: aviation, government, industry, infrastructure, power and railway. For decades, Hanson has appeared as a Top 500 design firm in Engineering News-Record’s listing of premier U.S. design firms and has received numerous workplace and project-related awards. The firm’s corporate headquarters is located at 1525 S. Sixth St., Springfield, IL 62703.
About Central Illinois Angels
Central Illinois Angels, Inc. (CIA), a not-for-profit corporation, facilitates the introduction of entrepreneurs to potential investors through presentations and other mechanisms. CIA consists of individual angel investors interested in financing privately held companies or ventures that are typically in the startup stage of development and have a high likelihood of growth and success. Since inception in 2009, the members of CIA have invested over $14 million in its portfolio companies.
About Attollo
Attollo exists to enable the creation and growth of social businesses by removing financial obstacles that limit their success. By partnering with motivated and passionate entrepreneurs in need of capital, we help to bring their businesses ideas to life and to scale.
About gener8tor
gener8tor’s turnkey platform for the creative economy connects startup founders, musicians, artists, investors, universities and corporations. The gener8tor platform includes pre-accelerators, accelerators, corporate programming, conferences, and fellowships.
About gBETA
gBETA accelerates the growth of early-stage companies through its network-driven program. gBETA supports five teams per cohort and requires no fees and no equity. Since launching in 2015, gBETA program alumni have raised $188M+ in capital and created 2,000+ jobs across the US and Canada.
DISTILLERY LABS AND PEORIA INNOVATION ALLIANCE ANNOUNCE INNOVATIVE PARTNERSHIP
Partnership agreement outlines mutually beneficial opportunities to build community, generate content, cross-promote key organizations; PIA Executive Director Jake Hamann to continue involvement with and support of Distillery Labs | ACCESS MEDIA KIT HERE
(December 17, 2020 | Peoria, Ill.) – Distillery Labs and the Peoria Innovation Alliance (PIA) announced this week that they have jointly signed a partnership agreement and crafted an official relationship between the two organizations. This is the second such partnership agreement for Distillery Labs and this agreement will work in lockstep with Distillery Labs plans to build out a thriving hub and community for entrepreneurs in Peoria and the surrounding area. The partnership agreement will build on the excellent work already being done by PIA in community building, ecosystem development and entrepreneurial engagement.
The agreement calls for three main areas of partnership:
Community building -- PIA and DL will work together to continue building and growing the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Peoria, focusing on reaching key constituencies, keeping information flowing freely, cross-promoting events and resources and generally expanding the virtual communication capability. A key focus will be to meet entrepreneurs and residents where they are, and to use technology to expand the reach of both organizations.
Cross-promotion, communications and social media efforts -- Each of the organizations will work to promote one another, using their platforms to share key news, events and opportunities.
Business development and membership opportunities -- PIA and DL will work together to attract grant opportunities, create membership opportunities, and explore sponsorship and business development opportunities that are to the benefit of both organizations.
“Distillery Labs will be a key component to the growing and evolving entrepreneurial ecosystem in Greater Peoria,” said Jake Hamann, successful entrepreneur and Executive Director of Peoria Innovation Alliance. “As the Peoria Innovation Alliance continues to enable and empower the next round of innovators, entrepreneurs, and startups that call Greater Peoria home, we look forward to helping shape Distillery Labs into a facility that is welcoming and accessible to entrepreneurs from all walks of life.”
Distillery Labs, which will be funded through a $10 million grant that is part of the larger Illinois Innovation Network, will be located at the Thomas Building, a 50,000 square foot facility formerly occupied by Illinois Central College. Distillery Labs will ultimately be a tech, innovation and incubation community designed to foster opportunity throughout the Peoria region. It will have classes, workshops, public-private partnerships, student opportunities, and more.
“This is a crucial partnership with far-reaching strategic implications for Distillery Labs and Peoria in general,” said Michelle Conger, chief strategy officer for OSF HealthCare and CEO for OSF OnCall Digital Health, and a member of the Distillery Labs board. “In order to be successful, Distillery Labs will need to reach a vibrant, thriving, far-reaching community of supporters and partners, and this effort will be greatly aided by the partnership with Peoria Innovation Alliance. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with the Peoria Innovation Alliance as we build, launch and grow Distillery Labs.”
Jake Hamann has been involved with the development of Distillery Labs over the past year, working to help build community, organize the website and popular Whiskey Talks series, and participate in the design and development of the physical space.
The agreement calls for the following efforts:
Participants will co-promote one another’s events to each others’ networks and will similarly work together to increase the connectivity of the Peoria business and entrepreneurship community.
PIA will support Distillery Labs’ programming by helping to find speakers and co-market events, and other production efforts.
PIA will share key communications from Distillery Labs with its members and to host periodic focus groups to ensure that community members' viewpoints are considered as Distillery Labs sets up its operations and facility.
Distillery Labs will market and share key announcements from PIA, and when the facility is up and running, will make its space available to PIA for periodic events and public-facing activities.
Distillery Labs will seek to align its work with PIA’s ongoing mission, where appropriate, to reduce overlap and maximize areas of efficiency and mutual benefit.
Participants will make introductions for one another when appropriate.
Participants will engage with one another and on behalf of one another on social media.
Participants will work together to craft a special and exclusive offer for PIA members to become Distillery Labs members at a reduced or subsidized cost.
“This is an exciting moment for Peoria. I’ve enjoyed the Whiskey Talks series so far and look forward to connecting with more entrepreneurs in the future. Peoria has a blooming entrepreneurship community that will greatly benefit from the business growth opportunities this partnership enables. ” Reuben Cummings, Founder and President of Peoria-based data analytics firm Nerevu Group, and member of PIA and GPEDC Boards.
The agreement is effective immediately and will last for a period of 2 years..
If you are interested in crafting your own agreement with Distillery Labs, please visit this link or email info@distillerylabspeoria.org.
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Distillery Labs is expected to open in 2021, and will be a 50,000 square foot technology and innovation center in the heart of Peoria. The Peoria Innovation Hub, launched in 2019, is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to supporting the development and operation of Distillery Labs.
Peoria Innovation Alliance is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to fostering a collaborative movement to reposition the Greater Peoria region and change its narrative to one of inclusion, optimism, and progress through the support and celebration of innovation, entrepreneurship, and startup activity.
DISTILLERY LABS ANNOUNCES PAUL LEAMON AS FIRST EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
EXPERIENCED ENTREPRENEUR, INVESTOR AND TECHNOLOGIST TO LEAD STATE-OF-THE-ART ENTREPRENEURSHIP HUB | ACCESS MEDIA KIT HERE
(November 30, 2020 | Peoria, IL) – Distillery Labs has named Paul Leamon as the organization’s first Executive Director. Distillery Labs, a technology and innovation center downtown Peoria, Illinois, is expected to open in 2021.
Leamon, who has an extensive background as an entrepreneur, investor, corporate innovator and technology leader, will take the reins on January 4, 2021, and will be charged with building, launching, and leading the world-class technology incubation facility.
“I’m honored to be chosen to lead Distillery Labs,” said Leamon. “I am excited about the possibilities as we set out to build a thriving, vibrant center for the community that can have an impact on Peoria for generations to come. I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves and start working with all of the entrepreneurs, partners, corporations and organizations in Greater Peoria. Together, we are going to build an organization that will become an institution in Peoria and will create opportunity throughout our region.”
Leamon has a nearly 30-year career in entrepreneurship and technology. He has served as the founder of multiple technology startups and venture capital / entrepreneurship networks, including V.DEV, Juiced Ventures, and Wellfount. He has previously served as the chair of the entrepreneurship committee at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Business, and is a limited partner with a venture capital firm.
Leamon has worked for corporations in technology development and innovation and also has extensive fundraising experience.
“OSF HealthCare has been part of a group driving Distillery Labs’ development, and we now need a strong and experienced leader to take this visionary center from concept to reality,” said Bob Sehring, CEO of OSF HealthCare and chairman of the Distillery Labs board. “We’re excited and confident to welcome Paul Leamon to lead Distillery Labs as its first Executive Director. Our board members and partners look forward to the important work he will take on.”
Distillery Labs, which will be funded through a $10 million grant that is part of the larger Illinois Innovation Network, will be located at the Thomas Building, a 50,000 square foot facility formerly occupied by Illinois Central College. Distillery Labs will ultimately be a tech, innovation and incubation community designed to foster opportunity throughout the Greater Peoria region. It will have classes, workshops, public-private partnerships, student opportunities, and more.
“I have been impressed with Paul as a candidate and as a leader,” said Dr. Sheila Quirk-Bailey, President of Illinois Central College and a member of the Distillery Labs board. “I was impressed with all of the candidates who came through our extensive search process, and we saw a diverse and vibrant slate of candidates. I am excited to work with Paul and the entire community as we launch Distillery Labs in 2021. Together we will do great things for the entire region and all of its people.”
Leamon’s charge as Executive Director of Distillery Labs will include:
Leading the process to design, build and launch the 50,000 square foot facility by the end of 2021.
Building out a team and staff for Distillery Labs, with a focus on developing a diverse, vibrant, inclusive organization that is representative of the entire region.
Attracting and populating the Distillery Labs space with members and partners, including startups / entrepreneurs, university partners, corporations, venture capitalists/angel investors/other technology investors, non-profit organizations (such as the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council), and members of the community.
Fundraising and corporate development -- particularly seeking and obtaining corporate partnerships that will fuel the growth of Distillery Labs, and building a robust strategy to seek and obtain grant funding for the organization.
Developing and extending the virtual reach of Distillery Labs so that people from throughout Greater Peoria have access to the programming, resources and innovation that will come from the facility.
Building, expanding and driving a diversity and inclusion strategy for the Labs that ensures that in every fashion the Labs are both representative of the community and a leader in driving opportunity for everyone.
Leamon was chosen after an extensive search process, which involved interviews by a committee of stakeholders, including entrepreneurs, business leaders, public officials, and the Distillery Labs board. The committee considered a diverse and extensive slate of candidates, with a particular focus on ensuring that many different profiles of potential leaders were represented. Leamon was chosen because of his broad experience across all the elements of the Distillery Labs position.
“On behalf of the entrepreneurial community in Peoria, I’m excited to welcome Paul to our ecosystem and am looking forward to working with him to create more opportunities for startup founders, investors, and entrepreneurs,” said Jake Hamann, Founder and Executive Director of the Peoria Innovation Alliance. Peoria Innovation Alliance is working with Distillery Labs to craft a partnership agreement through which the two organizations will cooperate on key initiatives in the entrepreneurship and technology space. “Hearing the voices of and creating opportunities for entrepreneurs from every walk of life is absolutely critical to the future of Greater Peoria’s economy. We have a real opportunity to work together to build a set of resources, tools, institutions and programs that will establish Peoria as a leader in this space for years. I am excited at the potential for Peoria Innovation Alliance to partner with Distillery Labs in achieving this goal.”
In Leamon’s free time, you’ll find him enjoying home remodeling projects and cross-country camping trips with his family. Paul’s wife, Cheryl, is an executive in the financial services industry and his two boys are students, the oldest in college studying Informatics and the youngest in high school. Together, just about anything outdoors factors prominently into their family life, from golfing and tennis to kayaking and sailing.
Leamon will start with Distillery Labs officially on January 4th. However, in celebration of the winter holidays, he’ll be appearing on “Whiskey Talks,” Distillery Labs’ very successful interview program, on the evening of January 7th. Paul will be interviewed and will also be taking questions from the general public in that event. To learn more, visit www.DistilleryLabs.org.
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Distillery Labs i s expected to open in 2021, and will be a 50,000 square foot technology and innovation center in the heart of Peoria.
The Peoria Innovation Hub, launched in 2019, is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to supporting the development and operation of Distillery Labs.
DISTILLERY LABS AND Greater Peoria Economic Development Council announce INNOVATIVE PARTNERSHIP
Two leading organizations sign Distillery Labs’ first partnership agreement; focus will be on generating content and building community; GPEDC expected to become an initial tenant of Distillery Labs | VIEW MEDIA KIT HERE
(July 1, 2020 | Peoria, IL) – Distillery Labs and the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council are pleased to announce that they have signed a partnership agreement for the two organizations. This represents the first such agreement for Distillery Labs and is designed to foster content, community and cooperation.
The agreement calls for three main areas of partnership:
Content -- GPEDC will organize and host community-building events in the months until Distillery Labs is built and open to the public, in conjunction with Distillery Labs. This will include the bi-weekly “Whiskey Talks” events that kicked-off in late May.
Community -- GPEDC will work with the Distillery Labs team to build out the network of people who are aware of and involved with the Distillery Labs effort and work to expand the reach of the organization, as well as build lasting infrastructure that ensures that community members and the region’s startups and businesses are well-served by the facility.
Cooperation -- The agreement between GPEDC and Distillery Labs will become a template for future agreements crafted by Distillery Labs.
“This agreement and partnership brings great opportunity for both GPEDC and Distillery Labs, and we believe it will have a profound impact on the development of both organizations,” said Christopher Setti, CEO of GPEDC. “More importantly, we believe that we have crafted a model of cooperation that can be replicated for many other organizations that are hoping to support Distillery Labs and want to be involved in this exciting effort. On behalf of GPEDC and really the whole Greater Peoria region, I’ve been so thrilled to be involved with Distillery Labs these past couple years, and I’m even more enthusiastic as to what the future holds.”
Distillery Labs, which will be funded through a $10 million grant that is part of the larger Illinois Innovation Network, will be located in the Thomas Building, a 50,000 square foot facility formerly occupied by Illinois Central College in downtown Peoria. Distillery Labs will ultimately be a tech, innovation and incubation community designed to foster opportunity throughout the Peoria region. It will have classes, workshops, public-private partnerships, student opportunities, and more.
“This is another important step as we move this exciting venture forward,” said Bob Sehring, CEO of OSF HealthCare and Chairman of Distillery Labs. “Collaboration is vitally important when it comes to innovation. We appreciate the support the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council has already given – and will continue to give – to Distillery Labs.”
Initially, Andrew Ngui, who serves as GPEDC’s Director of Innovation and Startups, will primarily be responsible for implementing the partnership agreement, and will coordinate efforts between the two organizations.
The agreement calls for the following efforts:
GPEDC to coordinate and co-host bi-weekly “Whiskey Talks” events in conjunction with Distillery Labs.
GPEDC to share key communications from Distillery Labs with its members and host periodic focus groups to ensure that community members‘ viewpoints are considered as Distillery Labs sets up its operations and facility.
GPEDC to coordinate early programming efforts around Distillery Labs‘ three innovation focus areas: smart mobility, wellness, and food and farming systems.
Distillery Labs to ensure representation from GPEDC on its board. Christopher Setti, GPEDC CEO, is currently Distillery Labs‘ board member.
GPEDC to consider moving its physical operations to Distillery Labs in the future.
“As the chairman of GPEDC’s board of directors, I’m excited to see this great partnership unfold,” said Mike Hinrichsen, who is also the Village President of Germantown Hills. “Distillery Labs will be an incredible asset for the entire region. Innovation is the past and the future of Greater Peoria.”
The agreement is effective immediately and will be in place until Distillery Labs opens its doors to the public.
If you are interested in crafting your own agreement with Distillery Labs, please visit this link or email info@distillerylabspeoria.org.
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Distillery Labs is expected to open in 2021, and will be a 50,000 square foot technology and innovation center in the heart of Peoria. The Peoria Innovation Hub, launched in 2019, is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to supporting the development and operation of Distillery Labs.
The Greater Peoria Economic Development Council serves Logan, Mason, Peoria, Tazewell, and Woodford counties, a federally designated five-county Economic Development District. In collaboration with our local economic and workforce development partners, we drive economic growth in Greater Peoria through targeted business and talent development and attraction.
PRESS RELEASE FROM MAY 6TH, 2020
ACCESS MEDIA KIT HERE
(May 6, 2020 | Peoria, IL) – Distillery Labs is coming, and is poised to make a lasting and significant impact on the Peoria business community for generations to come.
Business leaders, elected officials, entrepreneurs and community members “gathered” virtually on Wednesday, May 6, for the unveiling of Distillery Labs, the renaming and rebranding of what had been known as the Peoria Innovation Hub.
“We love the name and the brand,” said Bob Sehring, CEO of OSF HealthCare and Chairman of Distillery Labs. “The brand looks to Peoria’s future while recognizing and celebrating our shared past. It is perfect for the community-driven, forward-looking, and inclusive space we are committed to building.”
Distillery Labs, which will be funded through a $10 million grant that is part of the larger Illinois Innovation Network, will be located at the Thomas Building, a 50,000 square foot facility formerly occupied by Illinois Central College. Distillery Labs will ultimately be a tech, innovation and incubation community designed to foster opportunity throughout the Peoria region. It will have classes, workshops, public-private partnerships, student opportunities, and more.
“I’m so excited about the progress and the potential for Distillery Labs,” said Dr. Sheila Quirk-Bailey, President of Illinois Central College. “At ICC, we’re proud of our ability to be involved with this process and find a thriving new use for this building. More importantly, we’re optimistic about the work that Distillery Labs will do around workforce development and creating opportunity for a new generation of employees in and around Peoria. That is a central focus of our work and we’re looking forward to partnership with Distillery Labs on this effort.
The brand was created through a collaborative process that involved community input alongside professional brand and design work. The Marketing Communications team at OSF HealthCare worked with the Distillery Labs board and Jake Hamann to construct, devise, and build the brand and associated materials.
“It was an honor to work on developing the brand for Distillery Labs,” said Jake Hamann, Founder and Executive Director of the Peoria Innovation Alliance. “Thoughtful input from a diverse cross-section of the community resulted in not only a name and logo, but a set of values and guiding principles that truly reflect the potential that this initiative has for our entrepreneurial ecosystem and ultimately, our regional economy.”
Distillery Labs will be dedicated to finding solutions to improve the wellness of underserved populations and advance systems related to food, farming, and transportation – specifically autonomous mobility - and will contain spaces for startups, corporate partners, community organizations, universities and other stakeholders. A specific focus of the Labs will be crafting a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming environment, with the organization taking steps to ensure that the Labs look and feel like Greater Peoria from the start.
The process to build Distillery Labs, and the community supporting it, began in earnest late last year. The facility is expected to be open in 2021.
OSF HealthCare, the University of Illinois System, Illinois Central College, and the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council are all working together to develop Distillery Labs. Construction will be funded by the state of Illinois, with a local match from OSF HealthCare, ICC, and others.
The Peoria Innovation Hub is governed by a five-member Board of Directors and will be part of the Illinois Innovation Network (IIN), a statewide initiative led by the U of I System to foster breakthrough research, discovery, and entrepreneurship that drives progress, job creation, and economic growth.
Some elements being considered for Distillery Labs include:
Makerspace with machinery: Facilities for manufacturing prototypes with equipment such as lathes, drill presses and laser cutters, plus equipment for 3D printing and modeling for artistic and fashion-related disciplines.
Digital makerspace: Virtual reality software and simulation devices that would build on the advances within OSF HealthCare and the city’s simulation, gaming, and virtual reality innovation groups.
Computing infrastructure: Cloud computing, server architecture, and data integration would allow for creation of advanced applications to fuel creative pathways including artificial intelligence (AI) to expand information management and analytics.
A rooftop greenhouse to experiment with urban farming and hydroponic techniques. A commercial kitchen for piloting a food pharmacy and restaurant concept testing, along with new and different food preparation methods. Classrooms for conventional courses for new entrepreneurs and students from higher education partners and the community.
Office space, classrooms, and conference rooms for entrepreneurs, startups, and satellite offices for larger corporations that want to access resources of the Discovery Partners Institute and IIN.
In terms of next steps, there are several actions underway to keep things moving and advancing for Distillery Labs:
Committees are meeting regularly in the following areas of focus: Engagement and Operations, , Community, Programming, Building and Space. Anyone interested in joining one of these committees should contact info@distillerylabs.org
There is an active search underway for an executive director. Please send all inquiries to info@distillerylabs.org
A design RFP was recently released and more than 15 viable applicants were received. The Distillery Labs committee is working through these responses.
“Everything about Distillery Labs is so exciting, and brings such opportunity for the future of Peoria,” said Christopher Setti, CEO of the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council. “There is much work to be done to complete and launch the facility and the community. I am confident that, working together, we’ll build the sort of institution that will shape the future of the area and live up to the lofty expectations and potential of its name and brand.”
Press Release from November 4th, 2019
Governor J.B. Pritzker today joined leaders from around Greater Peoria to celebrate the Peoria Innovation Hub, a world-class innovation facility coming to downtown Peoria. The Peoria Innovation Hub, funded through a $10 million grant that is part of the larger Illinois Innovation Network (IIN), will be located at the Thomas Building, a 50,000 square foot facility that was recently vacated by Illinois Central College.
The Peoria Innovation Hub will be dedicated to finding solutions to improve the wellness of underserved populations and advance systems related to food, farming, and transportation – specifically autonomous mobility, and will contain spaces for startups, corporate partners, community organizations, universities and many other stakeholders. One of the stated focuses of the hub is crafting a diverse, inclusive and welcoming environment, and the organization is taking steps to ensure that the Peoria Innovation Hub will look and feel like Greater Peoria from moment one.
The process to build the Peoria Innovation Hub, and the community supporting it, will begin in earnest in 2020. This will include a community-supported branding effort to determine a name, brand, logo and identity for the Hub.
“Today, Peoria isn’t resting on your laurels but instead taking that legacy, those strengths, and building on them to propel you forward in today’s economy,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “As Peoria becomes a leader among the community of Illinois cities advancing digital and health care innovation, I want to offer my appreciation to the amazing team committed to making this district a reality. You are helping secure Illinois’ place at the forefront of the 21st-century economy.”
OSF HealthCare, the University of Illinois System, Illinois Central College, and the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council are all working together to develop the hub.
The Peoria Innovation Hub is governed by a five-member Board of Directors and will be part of the IIN, a statewide initiative led by the University of Illinois System to foster the breakthrough research, discovery, and entrepreneurship that drives progress, job creation and economic growth. The members of the Peoria Innovation Hub’s board of directors are: Robert Sehring, CEO, OSF HealthCare; Michelle Conger, Chief Strategy Officer and CEO, OSF HealthCare Saint Gabriel Digital Health; Dr. John Vozenilek, Vice President/Chief Medical Officer Innovation and Digital Health, OSF HealthCare; Christopher Setti, CEO, Greater Peoria Economic Development Council; and Dr. Sheila Quirk-Bailey, President, Illinois Central College.
The cornerstone of the network is the Discovery Partners Institute (DPI), a world-class research and education center that will bring hundreds of top researchers and thousands of students to Chicago to work with industry and government to tackle real-world challenges. In 2018, OSF HealthCare became the first corporate partner in DPI with the creation of the OSF Innovation Lab at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). DPI classes are already working with the OSF Innovation team to address key questions around serving the poor, rural, and elderly patient populations in Illinois.
Other hubs are being developed across the state, including research centers that have already been announced in Urbana-Champaign, Chicago, Springfield, and DeKalb. Those centers will focus on discovery in critical and growing fields such as data science, cybersecurity, therapeutic drugs, food and water resources, and environmental change.
The Hub will essentially reimagine the region’s opportunities for entrepreneurs, students, innovators, creators, and residents. The hub will encompass nearly 53,000 square feet and function as a springboard for new companies and a place where members of the community can collaborate with innovators and bring creative solutions to challenges facing healthcare, manufacturing, and agriculture, among other industries.
“OSF HealthCare recognizes the importance of innovation in improving the health of the communities we serve. It is our hope that working with the Discovery Partners Institute and the Illinois Innovation Network will lead to improvement in the health of and health care options for all Illinoisans,” said Bob Sehring.
“In today’s world, innovation is the key to progress, prosperity and an even better tomorrow,” said Tim Killeen, president of the U of I System. “The Illinois Innovation Network reflects our commitment to bring the world’s very best minds together and put them to work for people here in Peoria, across our state and beyond.”
All three universities in the University of Illinois System are engaged in Peoria – UIC through the College of Medicine, Urbana-Champaign through the College of Engineering’s work with the Jump Simulation and Education Center, and the University of Illinois at Springfield with its master’s and degree completion programs.
“Peoria provides a unique opportunity to combine academic and community resources to spur economic development,” said Dr. Meenakshy Aiyer, interim regional dean of the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria. ”In addition to the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria (UICOMP), we have important educational assets in Illinois Central College and Bradley University. Leveraging these resources with those of our health care systems, manufacturing sectors, and other components of our economy provides Peoria with wonderful opportunities.”
“As the workforce innovation partner, ICC would engage in agricultural research with area farmers and students in addition to integrating workforce development programs in manufacturing and healthcare. Our efforts will leverage these advances by aligning these innovations with workforce credentials providing family sustaining opportunities to our community,” added Dr. Sheila Quirk-Bailey.
“Innovation has always been the cornerstone of our region – in agriculture, manufacturing, and now health care,” said Christopher Setti. “Innovation is also our future. The hub will be a great part of that future. It would inspire entrepreneurs with problems to solve, equip them with the tools they need to solve them, and support them in turning solutions into businesses.” The Greater Peoria Economic Development Council has committed to moving its entire operation into the hub when it opens.
Co-working is expected to be a central feature of the proposed hub, in order to maximize productive collaboration across all disciplines within the building. There is expected to be a heavy focus on helping grow Greater Peoria’s startup culture.
Some elements being considered for the Hub include:
Makerspace with machinery: Facilities for manufacturing prototypes with equipment such as lathes, drill presses and laser cutters, plus equipment for 3D printing and modeling for artistic- and fashion-related disciplines.
Digital makerspace: Virtual reality software and simulation devices that would build on the advances within OSF HealthCare and the city’s simulation, gaming and virtual reality innovation groups.
Computing infrastructure: Cloud computing, server architecture, and data integration would allow for creation of advanced applications to fuel creative pathways including artificial intelligence (AI) to expand information management and analytics.
A rooftop greenhouse to experiment with urban farming and hydroponic techniques. A commercial kitchen for piloting a food pharmacy and restaurant concept testing, along with new and different food preparation methods. Classrooms for conventional courses for new entrepreneurs and students from higher education partners and the community.
Office space, classrooms, and conference rooms for entrepreneurs, startups, and satellite offices for larger corporations that want to access resources of the DPI and IIN.
“The Peoria Innovation Hub will access a wide range of exceptional resources and local industry pioneers to help companies like ours flourish,” said Steve Garrou, CEO, Enduvo, a company that develops a no-code, rapid AR/VR content authoring and delivery platform, and was born in Peoria at Jump Simulation. “The involvement of premier industry partners and leading innovators, such as Bradley University, OSF HealthCare and UICOMP, offers unparalleled opportunities for collaboration, economic advancement, and recognition of Illinois as an innovation center.”
Located within Peoria’s federally designated Opportunity Zone, the Peoria Innovation Hub will offer tax benefits allowing potential business startups to leverage incentives to attract early stage and venture capital. It is also located in the heart of the recently formed Peoria Innovation District, which is the result of an effort led by the Peoria Innovation Alliance. The Peoria Innovation District is a nine-square-block district designed to be a home for innovation and technology in Peoria.
“The Innovation Hub will serve as a focal point of activity aimed at jumpstarting entrepreneurial growth not just in Peoria, but across the entire region,” said Jake Hamann, Executive Director of the Peoria Innovation Alliance. “We are thrilled to be partnering on this initiative as it ties very closely to our mission of sharing our region’s innovation history, promoting our progress and vision for the future, and enabling and empowering the next round of innovators, entrepreneurs, and startups that call Greater Peoria home.”
“It is essential that plans for economic growth include opportunities to strengthen vulnerable communities that have been divested in. The Peoria Innovation Hub will help diverse entrepreneurs improve health care delivery and reduce food insecurity in underserved neighborhoods,” said state Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria.
“A Peoria Innovation Hub of the Illinois Innovation Network will have enormous economic potential for the Peoria region. It's fulfilling to see this mission – with its own facility in Peoria – come closer to reality after so much hard work. It is exciting to know our innovators and entrepreneurs could have access to some of the greatest minds in our country,” said state Sen. Chuck Weaver, R-Peoria. “OSF, as one of our region's fundamental economic drivers, deserves high praise for stepping up to champion this initiative.”
“Peoria has a long history of groundbreaking research and development. The Innovation Hub will build on our regional strengths of healthcare, manufacturing, and agriculture in order to deliver new jobs and startup companies that will strengthen the Illinois economy,” added state Sen. Dave Koehler, D-Peoria.
The Peoria Innovation Hub, launched in 2019, is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to supporting the development and operation of this facility.
OSF HealthCare, headquartered in Peoria, is owned and operated by The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, and consists of more than 21,000 employees in 116 locations, including 13 hospitals throughout Illinois and Michigan. Its physician network employs more than 1,000 primary care, specialist physicians and advanced practice providers. More at www.osfhealthcare.org.
OSF Innovation, launched in 2016, is the overall umbrella initiative for the planning, structure, goals, and services OSF HealthCare uses to innovate for the improvement and transformation of health care.
The University of Illinois System is a world leader in research and discovery, and the largest educational institution in the state with nearly 86,000 students, about 25,000 faculty and staff, and universities in Urbana-Champaign, Chicago and Springfield. The U of I System awards more than 22,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees annually. More at https://www.uillinois.edu/
Illinois Central College is dedicated to changing lives and is a community college leader in transfer success and workforce development with campuses in East Peoria, Peoria, and Pekin. The College serves over 19,000 credit and non-credit students annually, offering 160 programs of study and awarding more than 1,800 degrees and certificates annually. For more information on ICC‘s high-quality, affordable programs, visit icc.edu.
The Greater Peoria Economic Development Council serves Logan, Mason, Peoria, Tazewell, and Woodford counties, a federally designated five-county Economic Development District. In collaboration with our local economic and workforce development partners, we drive economic growth in Greater Peoria through targeted business and talent development and attraction.
The Peoria Innovation Alliance is a 501c3 organization dedicated to fostering a collaborative movement to reposition the Greater Peoria region and change its narrative to one of inclusion, optimism, and progress through the support and celebration of innovation, entrepreneurship, and startup activity.