St. Louis has emerged as a vibrant hub for entrepreneurship, offering a wealth of resources and programs designed to support local business development. Aspiring entrepreneurs and established business owners alike can tap into a variety of initiatives aimed at fostering innovation and economic growth.
Chaifetz Center for Entrepreneurship at Saint Louis University
Founded in 1987, the Chaifetz Center for Entrepreneurship at Saint Louis University (SLU) is a nationally recognized leader in entrepreneurship education. The center offers a range of programs to support entrepreneurs at various stages of their journey. Notably, the New Venture Accelerator (NVA) provides current SLU students and recent alumni with equity-free investments of up to $50,000, along with mentorship and resources to launch their businesses. Additionally, the center hosts workshops, mentorship programs, and the SLULaunch incubator, which focuses on geospatial and biomedical innovations.
Delux Cares Young Entrepreneur Program
The Delux Cares Young Entrepreneur Program is a workforce and business development initiative designed to equip emerging adults with the skills, confidence, and resources needed to launch and sustain successful ventures. The program blends real-world entrepreneurial experience with hands-on training in digital literacy, financial education, business development, branding, and pitch preparation. Delivered in partnership with the St. Louis City Treasurer’s Office, ConnectSTL, and the St. Louis Development Corporation, the program aims to create access and opportunity for young entrepreneurs across the city.
Social Enterprise Accelerator at Washington University
Washington University’s Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation Lab offers a Social Enterprise Accelerator program open to all community members. This three-month program supports entrepreneurs in developing business plans, conducting customer research, and creating minimum viable products. Participants receive coaching from the research team, community mentors, and staff members of the SEI Lab, with opportunities to be matched with graduate-level interns from Washington University.
WEPOWER Business Accelerator
WEPOWER’s Business Accelerator is a 12-week entrepreneurship development program for Black and Latinx entrepreneurs across all industries, especially those that create living wage jobs. The program provides participants with resources, mentorship, and a supportive community to help grow thriving businesses in St. Louis.
The BALSA Foundation
Since 2014, The BALSA Foundation has been dedicated to promoting social equity and prosperity in the St. Louis region by empowering first-time entrepreneurs to start and grow their businesses. The foundation offers the BALSA Grant, which awards $1,500 grants and mentorship to first-time St. Louis entrepreneurs, focusing on those who need and can benefit from the support the most.
T-REX Innovation and Entrepreneur Development Center
T-REX is a non-profit innovation and entrepreneur development center located in downtown St. Louis. It offers affordable space for innovators and scaling tech companies, providing amenities such as free internet, unlimited coffee and tea, office furniture, and room to grow. T-REX serves as a coworking space, technology incubator, and entrepreneur resource center, fostering a dynamic community of over 400 founders, developers, designers, mentors, and educators.
These programs and resources reflect St. Louis’s commitment to nurturing a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. By leveraging these opportunities, local entrepreneurs can access the support and guidance needed to transform their ideas into successful ventures, contributing to the economic vitality of the region.