St. Louis innovators, this is your moment! The entrepreneurial, tech, and marketing landscape is rich with possibilities during December 15-21, 2025. Our Founder, Erik Lutenegger, has crafted your roadmap to the week’s most valuable networking events, workshops, and resources.
ESO, Accelerator, and Funding Opportunities
Due December 15 // Hiring Our Heroes’ Small Business Grant
Veteran- and military-spouse-owned small businesses can apply for a one-time cash grant program. Five winners will be selected: four receive $10,000, and one receives $25,000 to invest in growth, jobs, and community impact. Eligibility includes 51% ownership, 3-20 employees, and annual revenue under $5 million. (Grant)
Due January 5 // Innovation in Philanthropy Awards 2026 – Nominations
An annual recognition highlights up to three innovative partnerships between companies and nonprofits that meaningfully strengthen the St. Louis community. Nominations should showcase creative approaches to major local challenges, such as racial equity, education, or social justice, with selected honorees featured in a special publication. (Community Award)
Due January 5 // Startups to Watch 2026 – Nominations
A regional awards program highlights promising early-stage startups under five years old that have raised less than $25 million. Honorees are selected for their momentum and potential to make a significant impact in the coming year, with nominations open to founders and community members. (Community Award)
Due January 9 // Founder Framework
A free, 11-week in-person program helps early-stage founders build core startup fundamentals, from customer discovery to go-to-market strategy and financial storytelling. Participants create practical outputs each week and develop an investor-ready narrative, gaining clarity, structure, and tools to move their businesses forward. (Bootcamp)
Startup, Tech, and Marketing Events
December 15
December 15-19 // AI Search Summit | Search Atlas
Join top SEO visionaries for an immersive five-day challenge designed to blend the fundamentals of traditional search with cutting-edge AI tools. This event offers daily live training focused on practical frameworks to enhance your brand’s presence in AI responses and search results. (Virtual)
Practical Ways To Use AI To Simplify Life As A Small Business Owner | Digital Boost
Understand how AI can simplify your daily business operations through practical demonstrations and group activities. This hour-long online event guides you through crafting prompts that yield real results and integrating AI into your routine efficiently. (Virtual)
The Future of Cloud in 2030: AI-Enabling Cloud Services | Gartner
Elevate your understanding of the next five years in cloud computing as a Gartner expert outlines how AI-infused services will transform enterprise IT. Learn to identify key collaborators and prepare for industry-specific cloud solutions that deliver real ROI. (Virtual)
Transform Your Everyday Business Processes with Agents | Microsoft
Thrive in this interactive training that focuses on leveraging AI agents within Microsoft Copilot to deliver actionable insights and automate processes. Learn to build, manage, and evaluate agents that support teams and elevate workplace efficiency… no coding required. (Virtual)
Personalized Email Marketing with AI | SCORE
Discover straightforward methods to leverage AI as your personal email-writing assistant. This session offers real-world guidance on drafting messages in your own voice, developing eye-catching subject lines, and adopting workflows that enhance clarity and audience connection effortlessly. (Virtual)
Proposal Writing Mastery: Crafting Winning Bids for Government and Corporate Clients | RightSource Webinars
Gain practical tools and strategic insights to navigate complex RFPs and government solicitations in this expert-led session. Explore methods for aligning responses with evaluation criteria, crafting persuasive narratives, and building bids that resonate with high-stakes clients. (Virtual)
Mistletoe Mixology: A Festive Cocktail Hour | 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis
Elevate your holiday spirit by attending a charity-focused cocktail hour that supports local youth mentorship. Savor hand-made festive drinks, network with community leaders, and immerse yourself in contemporary art at 21c’s Main Gallery. (In-Person | 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis)
December 16
Kickstart Your Business with AI | General Assembly
Connect with fellow entrepreneurs in an interactive session exploring how AI can enhance business planning and pitching. This class offers practical insights into integrating AI technologies to enable smarter, more efficient business operations. (Virtual)
Trello VP of Product on Lessons From 10 Years of Building AI Driven Product | Product School
Participate in an exclusive workshop highlighting ten years of AI-driven product development successes by Trello’s VP of Product. Gain knowledge on scaling intelligent features that boost adoption while ensuring accountability and clear performance tracking. (Virtual)
Borrow Everything I Know About Growing a Newsletter | CreativeMornings
Explore insider strategies for growing a successful income-generating newsletter with expert Lucy Werner. This hands-on workshop offers creative branding tips, visual organization techniques, promotion tricks, and practical templates to help both beginners and seasoned creators elevate their newsletter game. (Virtual)
Meet Your New AEO Ally: The Press Release | MarketingProfs
Ignite your brand’s potential by learning why AI-driven platforms favor well-crafted press releases, revealing techniques for shaping content with Answer Engine Optimization strategies to secure recognition from top AI engines like ChatGPT and Gemini. (Virtual)
December 17
PitchSTL | Presenters: The Clean Queen Services & It’s Me! All Natural Wellness & Pheromone Oil
Connect with the startup community at a grassroots-style pitch session spotlighting innovative local businesses. Entrepreneurs Alexis Mooney and Leslie Christian-Wilson will showcase their ventures, followed by audience interaction and practical feedback in a collaborative environment. (In-Person | Cortex @ 20 S. Sarah)
Cybersecurity Fundamentals for Small Business | Mason SBDC
Uncover foundational cybersecurity principles during this engaging online webinar designed to simplify complex concepts. Participants will gain practical knowledge applicable to both new and established business environments. (Virtual)
Using Data and AI for Social Good | DataCamp
Unite with innovators committed to using data and AI for meaningful change. This session features compelling narratives from leaders advancing tech accessibility, value-driven design, and education equity, culminating in a panel focused on creating inclusive digital ecosystems. (Virtual)
GRIT December Panel Luncheon | Jennifer Bardot, G.R.I.T Founder
Gain inspiration from accomplished panelists discussing themes of resilience and leadership at this dynamic luncheon. The gathering provides the perfect blend of knowledge sharing, networking with like-minded professionals, and savoring delectable cuisine. (In-Person | Lodge Fitness Center)
Prompt Engineering Made Easy: Turn Ideas Into Better AI Outputs | College of the Canyons SBDC
Attend a focused session to learn the basics of prompt engineering to get better responses from AI models. The instructor guides you through step-by-step techniques for crafting prompts to help you write faster and produce more reliable AI results. (Virtual)
How To Get 5-10 New High Paying Clients In 90 Days Using AI | Network After Work
Absorb practical techniques that harness AI to enhance client acquisition and deal closures rapidly. This online event reveals powerful frameworks, remote selling tactics, and innovative technology insights to help you scale your business efficiently. (Virtual)
2025 Marketing Holiday Mixer | AMA St. Louis, SMPS St. Louis, Social Media Club STL & MDMC
Ignite your professional network at this end-of-year marketing mixer featuring collaboration among four top marketing groups. Engage with peers over drinks and light bites while contributing to a worthy cause through a food drive with raffle incentives. (In-Person | TOKY)
Women In Business (Holiday) Meet Up | A Creative Balance
Engage in a dynamic evening at this monthly Women in Business gathering where attendees connect, share insights, and build meaningful relationships among like-minded female leaders and entrepreneurs at an inviting wine bar setting. (In-Person | Intertwine Wine Bar)
Black Girls DO STEM Holiday Happy Hour
Celebrate a year of growth, impact, and transformation with a festive evening among changemakers. This uplifting gathering honors the brilliance of Black girls in STEM and the powerful community that helped shape their success. (In-Person | Trust)
December 18
Sustainable Economic Growth through Capacity Building | Founder Institute
This event delves into transforming traditional training models into lasting capacity-building systems. Experts share real-world examples of collaborative efforts among governments, businesses, and universities to address challenges in emerging markets. (Virtual)
Prompting with Purpose: Techniques for ChatGPT | OpenAI Academy
Connect with experts to explore practical frameworks for crafting effective ChatGPT prompts, moving beyond trial-and-error to enhance your professional, academic, and creative projects with reliable, high-quality AI outputs. (Virtual)
Innovators Hour with Pairidex | BioGenerator
Discover the stories behind breakthrough technologies as startup founders discuss their bioscience innovations. Hosted by BioGenerator Ventures, each session offers valuable lessons and networking opportunities for innovators in the health and agriculture sectors. (In-Person | BioSTL)
Founders Lounge Global – Powered by Metis Analytics
Join a dynamic space where founders and innovators gather weekly to share insights, build lasting connections, and elevate their ventures. Through curated workshops and engaging meetups, this global community fosters collaboration and continuous growth in the startup world. (In-Person | Spark Coworking – St. Louis)
December 19
Bright & Early: Drawn Studio’s Ryan Greis | STL.org
Attend a unique coffee lecture where artist and researcher Ryan Greis shares his journey of recovering missing artworks, uncovering cultural stories entwined with art history, hosted in an inspiring community setting with complimentary coffee. (In-Person | STL.org)
Bourbon Friday 4th Annual Holiday Special
Indulge in rich pours and festive flavors at this holiday edition of Bourbon Friday. From curated tastings to a spirited raffle, the evening promises smooth drinks, great company, and cozy holiday energy in the heart of UCity. (In-Person | TechArtista UCity)
December 20
Holiday Marketplace at The 89th Collective
Appreciate the spirit of giving by exploring a diverse selection of holiday gifts crafted by community vendors. This event offers a perfect opportunity to shop locally while enjoying a warm, welcoming atmosphere for 4 hours. (Free | The 89th Collective)
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What are you diving into this week? Let us know! As we continue to foster the St. Louis Startup, Tech, and Marketing Ecosystem, your suggestions are more important than ever. For any events on your calendar, email us at [email protected].
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