Tech STL

100 startup teams were narrowed down to one during the contest's inaugural year in St. Louis. Now, Immunophotonics moves on to the San Francisco final and a chance to win $1 million.

To keep St. Louis’ existing tech talent, some regional leaders are pushing for more support for startups. But it’s not a quick or easy fix.

More than half of St. Louis and St. Louis County residents are without reliable internet. The St. Louis County Library is helping patrons get internet access at home, training included.

“Many employers have a requirement for a four-year degree, but slowly and surely they’re realizing a four-year degree doesn’t mean everyone that comes out has the skills and ability to do the role,” said one leader of a tech training organization.

“If you want to attract economic development to the area, one of the selling points is that we have talent for you to bring whatever your respective business, industry here,” one expert said.

Over the next five days more than 40 events at dozens of venues in both Missouri and Illinois will cover sectors like ag tech, geospatial, extended reality, robotics and others.