St. Louis is the place to be for ambitious professionals! The week of December 30 – January 5 offers many opportunities for entrepreneurs, techies, and marketers. Our Founder, Erik Lutenegger, has crafted a comprehensive guide to ensure you don’t miss out on any valuable experiences.
Funding, ESO, and Accelerator Opportunities
Due December 31 // ZenBusiness $5K Grant
This program offers $5,000 grants to small business owners who have used ZenBusiness’s formation services within the past 3 to 6 months. Eligible applicants must be at least 18 years old, operate a U.S.-based private entity that benefits their community, and can apply once per month. Grantees also receive 30-day access to ZenBusiness Money Pro and other services. (Grant)
Due December 31 // Honeycomb Credit’s Fall Grant
Provides $5,000 grants to small businesses looking to innovate or expand. Applicants share their plans for utilizing the funds to enhance operations, fostering growth and positive impact within their communities. (Grant)
Due January 10 // STL Techweek Call for Sessions | TechSTL
STL TechWeek 2025, scheduled for March 31 to April 4, 2025, in St. Louis, is accepting speaker applications. This event seeks 250 speakers for 20-minute keynotes, 40-minute panels, or 40-minute workshops across various tech industry topics. Active TechSTL members receive preferential selection. Proposals should include speaker biographies and emphasize diversity. Selected speakers gain access to VIP events; however, travel expenses are generally not covered. Each speaker is limited to one session.
Due January 18 // DevLab Call for Speakers | TechSTL
DevLab, hosted by TechSTL in St. Louis, offers deep-tech development opportunities with expert trainers and innovative projects. Aimed at developers, designers, and managers, it features hands-on sessions enhancing intermediate-level tech skills. Topics include AI, cybersecurity, programming, and more. The event encourages active participation and skill development for portfolio enhancement. (Speaker Opportunities)
Due January 24 // BALSA Grant | The BALSA Foundation
The BALSA Grant provides first-time entrepreneurs in St. Louis a $1,500 cash grant, a 10-week Learning Series, mentoring, and eligibility for a $5,000 Follow-on Grant. Applications open biannually, with the next deadline on January 24, 2025. Applicants must meet eligibility requirements and can apply across all business sectors. (Funding)
Due February 4 // Idea Fund | Missouri Technology Corporation
The IDEA Fund makes direct equity-based investments in Missouri’s most promising emerging companies to promote growth and encourage additional future investment. They have 4 programs: Proof of Concept for early-stage entrepreneurs, the TechLaunch for pre-seed, Seed Capital for the Seed stage, and the Venture Capital Program, which supports technology startups through matching equity or convertible debt investments up to $2,000,000. (Funding)
Free WordPress Speed Optimizations for Non-Profits
Tenacity has officially launched SwingSpan, a Digital Divide program that provides free WordPress Speed Optimizations for Non-profits. So if you are part of a non-profit or know someone who is, and they use WordPress for their website, apply at Swingspan.app.
Startup, Marketing, and Tech Events
January 3
Bourbon Friday @ Techartista Downtown
Indulge in a dynamic gathering where entrepreneurs and innovators connect over curated bourbon tastings. Celebrate shared stories and achievements in a relaxed atmosphere that fosters meaningful relationships and vibrant discussions within the startup community. (In-Person | TechArtista Downtown)
January 5
St. Louis Code and Coffee
Be part of a dynamic collective that fosters skill-sharing and networking. Whether you’re there to work independently or engage actively in discussions, this event provides a unique opportunity to learn from others while sipping coffee in good company. (In-Person | TechArtista UCity)
Join us on Meetup or Tiktok.
We’d love to hear what’s piquing your interest this week! Your feedback is vital as we strive to improve the St. Louis startup, tech, and marketing ecosystem. If you have an upcoming event or important date, email us at [email protected].