It’s New Year’s Week, and the St. Louis tech and startup community is on fire! During December 29 – January 4, 2025, entrepreneurs, developers, and marketing experts can dive into events that promise real connections and actionable insights. Our Founder, Erik Lutenegger, has curated your guide to the week’s unmissable opportunities.
Accelerator, ESO, and Funding Opportunities
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 | T-REX
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 29
December 29 – January 4 // Winterfest | Gateway Arch to Park
Unveil a vibrant week at Winterfest with festive trivia on December 30, where holiday experts compete in a spirited evening of questions and cheer. Then on New Year’s Eve, celebrate with live music, fire dancers, and dazzling fireworks beneath the Arch. (In-Person | Keiner Plaza)
December 29 – January 3 // Garden Glow | Missouri Botanical Gardens
Indulge in a magical stroll through illuminated gardens featuring larger-than-life flowers and fireflies, alongside charming model train displays and sensory-conscious programming designed for inclusive enjoyment of an all-new Garden Glow experience rich with holiday cheer. (In-Person | Missouri Botanical Gardens)
December 29-30 // Anheuser-Busch Brewery Lights | Anheuser-Busch
Absorb the festive atmosphere enhanced by over a million lights illuminating the brewery grounds. Bring friends or family and enjoy parking perks, complimentary brews for adults, and flexible ticket options for every visitor’s pace. (In-Person | Anheuser-Busch)
If You’re Not Using AI, You’re Going Out of Business | Small Business University
Join a dynamic session led by a seasoned AI and cybersecurity strategist to discover why AI adoption is crucial for business survival. This webinar offers clear guidance on smart, secure implementation of AI tools tailored for forward-thinking entrepreneurs. (Virtual)
Planning > Plans: The Importance of Embracing Speed | Slack CPO | Product School
Engage with Rob Seaman, Slack’s CPO, as he explains why traditional product roadmaps falter in times of uncertainty. Discover how embracing speed through rapid prototyping and empowered small teams drives innovation and smart decision-making in fast-paced environments. (Virtual)
December 30
Automate Your Post-Meeting Workflow with Make | DataCamp
Understand the power of post-meeting automation through real-world workflows that simplify sales admin, improve communication, and help reps close deals faster, featuring a firsthand look at how Make and AI redefine the follow-up process. (Virtual)
What’s Next: The AI Trends Shaping 2026 | ODSC
Explore key advancements in AI technology, including autonomous collaborators and selective reasoning models, while understanding how organizations can transition from pilot projects to durable AI-enabled operations. (Virtual)
Startup Funding AMA & FI Info Session, with Jonathan Greechan (CEO, FI / GP, Founder Capital) | Founder Institute
Discover expert insights as Jonathan Greechan, Founder Institute CEO, leads a live session on startup funding and the Founder Institute program. Engage in an AMA to get your questions answered and learn how to launch and grow your startup from pre-seed stage onward. (Virtual)
The 2025 State of RAG | Cerebral Valley
Unite with thought leaders Daniel Davis and Kirk Marple as they delve into the practical advancements in data infrastructure for RAG, discussing key debates about retrieval relevance, service abstractions, and interoperability in AI production systems. (Virtual)
December 31
Using The Business Model Canvas | Business & IP Centre Liverpool City Region
Learn how to identify value propositions, target customers, and infrastructure needed through this insightful webinar on the Business Model Canvas, a strategic visual tool for effective business planning. (Virtual)
January 2
Home Lab Show and Tell | St. Louis 2600 + DC314
Enjoy an interactive evening where home lab supporters gather to reveal the ins and outs of their equipment. Presenters explain what makes their systems tick, from hardware configurations to network speeds, in a spirited community setting. (In-Person | Arch Reactor)
No Bourbon Friday This Week
January 4
St. Louis Code and Coffee
Appreciate a relaxed yet productive gathering designed for developers and tech professionals to network, exchange ideas, and dive into personal or collaborative coding sessions over coffee. (In-Person | TechArtista UCity)
Join us on Meetup or Tiktok.
What’s the main event for you this week? Sound off in the comments below! We’re always open to suggestions on how to enrich the St. Louis Startup, Tech, and Marketing scene. If you’re hosting an event, get in touch at [email protected].
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