Start Ups

From left to right: Cami Thomas, founder of My Friends and I, Kay Wells, founder of Posie Pots, Michael Butler, director of operations at UMSL Accelerate

Meet 2 St. Louis entrepreneurs who just received $50k from UMSL’s DEI Accelerator

Miya Norfleet

For the past three years, the DEI Accelerator has invested and supported 17 local businesses with grants and mentorship.

Economy & Business

Wash U receives research grant to study inequities in venture capital funding

Andrea Y. Henderson

Research shows women who started businesses in 2021 received 2% of venture capitalist funding, and Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs received less than 2% of funding.

Ken Zheng is one of many St. Louis entrepreneurs who have had to quickly rethink their startup's focus during the pandemic.

Economy & Business

Startups Work To Pivot In The Midst Of A Pandemic

Corinne Ruff

Early-stage companies are always a risky proposition, but these days they have to find new ways to deliver products and services and reach investors online.

Andrew Mueth tends to a head of lettuce in VAST Produce's greenhouse in Waterloo on June 26. VAST won the 2018 Metro East Start-Up Challenge.

Economy & Business

Start-Up Challenge Offers $20,000 To Spur Business Growth In The Metro East

Eric Schmid

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's Small Business Development Center wants to grow Metro East startups focused on information technology, health…

Griffin 3D is a local start-up that makes original design 3D printers. Here, the Griffin Pro Mini, prints an octopus at the Science Center's First Friday event in November.

Health, Science & Environment

Local Interest In 3D Printing Grows

Most people have heard of 3D printing, but few have ever seen these printers up close and in action.Scott Rocca, co-owner of Griffin 3D, a St. Louis…

Economy & Business

Entrepreneurial Ace Touts St. Louis Startups

Wayne Pratt

A high-profile entrepreneur is calling on the community to do more to support St. Louis-area startups."We just need to tell that story. That’s not to say…

Economy & Business

Not Your Father’s Private Investment: BusyEvent Tests New Funding Opportunity

Maria Altman

Private investment is important for St. Louis’ burgeoning start-up scene.Most entrepreneurs will tell you money for seed investment is accessible. The…

Economy & Business

Danforth Plant Science Center Growing With New Researchers

Maria Altman

The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center announced Friday it has hired four new lead researchers.Each of the new hires will have a team of at least…