Catering to tech enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, marketers, or anyone intrigued by cutting-edge trends and developments, this list has an event for everyone. You could stumble upon the next revolutionary idea or establish valuable relationships. Check out this detailed overview from our Founder, Erik Lutenegger, highlighting events and opportunities in St. Louis for the week of August 21-25!
ESO, Funding & Accelerators Opportunities
Looking for funding, business acceleration, or entrepreneur support opportunities.
Applications Open | STL Startup Week
If you didn’t see, the new STL Startup Week Week website has launched. And if you want to be part of the action beyond just attending, there are 3 ways to get involved. If you have a regular event in the Startup Ecosystem, you can run a Community Event and be added to the Schedule; you can Sponsor the week or volunteer to help at the events. All of those applications are open now.
Community Events
Volunteers
Sponsors
(Ecosystem Opportunities)
Applications Open | Cortex Square One Boot Camp
This is an in-depth 10-week program that combines formal instruction with hands-on learning, networking, and mentoring. It seeks to instill in entrepreneurs the confidence and skills needed to succeed in high-growth industries. Participants will work on specific deliverables such as a business model canvas, financial statements, pitch deck, 2-minute elevator pitch, and planning checklist. (Incubator)
Applications Open | North St. Louis Small Business and Non-Profit Grant Program
The City of St. Louis has allocated $37 million for a grant program to assist small businesses and non-profits in North St. Louis. Aimed at reversing decades of disinvestment, the program targets entities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, within specified geographic areas for economic development and empowerment. (Funding)
Due August 24 // SLUStart I-Corps
This program is from the Research Innovation Group in Saint Louis University’s Office of the Vice President for Research. It is designed to help researchers, inventors, and innovators in the St. Louis region extend their focus beyond academia and the lab to create successful products and services that deliver real value through entrepreneurship. (Incubator)
Due August 24 // NATO – Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA)
DIANA’s challenge program targets energy resilience, secure information sharing, and sensing. It aims to solve dual-use challenges; selected innovators get funding, access to resources, and investor exposure. The initial grant is 100000 euros. (Funding)
Due August 31 // STL Startup Week 2023: Startup Connection
On Wednesday, Sept. 20, Startup Connection will be back, highlighting more than 40 of the region’s most promising up-and-coming startup companies. So, if you are a high-growth, innovation-focused company, this a great place to showcase your brand. (Expo)
Due August 31 // AI Launchpad | Paddle
This is a 6-week program covering product strategy, go-to-market strategy, and finance & operations. Successful applicants will join a group of other founders and mentors to help turn ideas and MVPs into solid and growing businesses. There’s also a chance to win $25k. (Incubator)
Due September 1 | Keep It Local Business Fund
The Nextdoor Kind Foundation and NAACP are offering $5,000 grants and valuable resources to support entrepreneurs of color nationwide. Eligible businesses must be majority-owned/operated by people of color. (Funding)
September 1 | Techstars Accelerator: New York City
(Accelerator)
Apply Now // 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. (Free Help)
Marketing, Startup & Tech
Events on August 21
How to use Threads for your small business | Enterprise Nation
Rhea Freeman will explore the nuances of Threads, sharing tips on crafting compelling content and cultivating a thriving community on the platform. With her social media and marketing expertise, expect insights on engaging meaningfully and building a supportive network for your small business. (Virtual)
How to Make 6 Figures From Your Podcast | NY Public Library, Thomas Yoseloff Business Center
Jason Allan Scott delves into effective podcast monetization strategies, revealing 28 methods to achieve 6 to 7 figures. Learn varying techniques based on podcast growth stages, get insights on common queries, and benefit from Jason’s vast expertise. (Virtual)
WE NYC: Conversations and Connections: How To Exit Conversations Gracefully
Learn 3 effective techniques to exit conversations without offense at WE NYC’s virtual networking session for Women Entrepreneurs. Engage in genuine relationship-building in an informal setting, emphasizing connection over transaction. Pitching is off-limits. Enjoy meaningful interactions with professional women.(Virtual)
Events on August 22
August 22-24 // Radical Impact: Nonprofit Marketing Summit
Over 25,000 professionals from top NPOs will engage in 75+ impactful sessions led by notable nonprofit leaders. This virtual event will equip professionals with transformative digital strategies for significant community impact. (Virtual)
Build an AI App Without Coding | Founder Institute
Entrepreneurs can learn to use Bubble, a no-code platform, to create AI apps with guidance from Revido’s founder, Rodrig Naska. You’ll engage in hands-on projects, gain practical skills, and network with startup peers. (Virtual)
How to Maximize LinkedIn Virtual Summit | Network After Work
Three world-class speakers share strategies for LinkedIn success, covering effective networking, engagement with thought leaders, and profit-making tips. Don’t miss their actionable formulas and insights from top LinkedIn experts. (Virtual)
Drive Greater Loyalty and Growth: Activate Personalization at Scale and Data Monetization | Insider Intelligence
Learn how to use first-party data to enhance loyalty programs, explore engagement strategies for repeat sales, and understand the importance of data in building trust and loyalty. (Virtual)
Tips for Running a Successful Business for Creative Types, Idea People, and Anybody with Passion | SCORE Bi-State Region
Renowned expert Robin Blakely delves into strategies for positioning, promoting, and cultivating a creative brand, emphasizing internal marketing support, increased sales, and the protection of passion. (Virtual)
Large Language Models for Enterprise Success: Challenges and Approaches | Union.ai
Industry experts discuss integrating Large Language Models (LLMs) in enterprises, comparing implementation approaches, benefits, challenges, and future trends, alongside tools and ethical considerations. The panel features leaders from LinkedIn, LangChain, Union.ai, NVIDIA, and Stripe. (Virtual)
Ignite Your Content Strategy: Unleashing AI’s Power to Spark Creativity and Productivity at Scale | MarketingProfs
Adobe’s Shelly Chiang demonstrates how AI accelerates workflows, manages vast assets, and enhances customer engagement. You’ll learn how generative AI streamlines content creation and management, boosting creativity and productivity. (Virtual)
Events on August 23
1 Million Cups St. Louis
This event is for local entrepreneurs to meet and present their startups to the innovation community here in St. Louis. Presenters: Top Tutors for Us & Muumba Web Digital
(In-Person)
August 23-24 // Virtual Conference: Content Marketing | American Marketing Association
Over two days, this virtual conference offers insights into impactful content marketing. Participants will gain tools and strategies to craft compelling content, understand the role of AI, VR, and Web 3, SEO shifts, and explore efficient content creation techniques. (Virtual)
AWSome Day Online Conference
Dive into a half-day virtual AWS Cloud training with expert instructors. Grasp cloud computing benefits, IoT, machine learning, and foundational AWS knowledge. Interact live with the team for questions and clarifications. (Virtual)
Customer & Developer Conference | Twilio
Expect an immersive virtual experience featuring 20+ breakout sessions, product deep dives, and keynotes from industry leaders, including Twilio’s CEO, Jeff Lawson, OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, and Selena Gomez. Highlights include live coding, real-time interactions with Twilio experts, and the chance to explore Twilio’s data-driven products. (Virtual)
Pricing Matters: A Roadmap for Early-Stage B2B Startups | Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center
Gain strategies for revenue growth from Fraction8’s CEO, Ryan Glushkoff, as he explores pricing strategies for B2B startups, offering insights on optimizing prices, understanding value-based processes, and measuring buyer willingness to pay. (Virtual)
From Feels To Facts | Heydays HQ
Where you’ll engage in candid dialogue about Corporate Colorism, barriers in the workforce, and debunking colorism myths in a safe space, understand its role in diversity, equity, and inclusion dynamics. (In-Person)
Flow & Grow: A Marketing & Movement Experience | Heydays HQ
Immerse yourself in an innovative blend of marketing wisdom and wellness routines with Grow With Google and Heydays. Learn new marketing tools while engaging in yoga, dance, sound bowls, meditation, reiki, and aerobics. This week features Sound Bowls & Yoga w/ Expressions 4 U Yoga and Sales Tools. (In-Person)
TechSTL – High Tech Happy Hour (Fintech)
Meet and network with St. Louis’s top tech professionals at T-REX downtown. Dive into the Fintech sector, discussing all things Web3, Blockchain, Merchant Services, Online Banking, and eCommerce while enjoying cold beers and appetizers. RSVP for TechSTL Members. (In-Person)
Events on August 24
August 24-25 // The Edge Summit
Explore the transformative impact of AI on e-commerce through live stream discussions, visionary keynotes, and insights from industry pioneers, delving into the future of online shopping and generative AI innovations. (Virtual)
Women’s Business Summit
This virtual half-day summit highlights women in business, offering insights on starting, funding and growing a business. And features Jeanette Prenger’s entrepreneurial journey and sessions on business certification and child care business. (In-Person & Virtual)
Keys to Driving Webinar & Digital Event Registration | ON24
Here you will learn how to optimize promotional content to drive registrations and conversions, pick topics and create catchy subject lines and titles that convert, and use ABM strategies to personalize invitations at scale. (Virtual)
STL Mappy Hour
Get together to talk about data, maps, and software. This event is intended for cross-industry GIS colleagues and is not specific to any particular organization. (In-Person)
Leveraging Federal Resources & Small Business Assistance Programs | The GEOINT Hub @ T-REX
This event is focused on helping small businesses pursue federal government contracts and award opportunities. And will highlight federal government programs, resources, and opportunities for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and innovators interested in geospatial intelligence and defense innovation. (In-Person)
Venture Café St. Louis | Consumer Product Innovation & Locally Made Market
This is the first of the re-imagined events; the theme for that evening is Consumer Product Innovation & Locally Made Market. Explore St. Louis’s rich manufacturing history, from large-scale product designs to local food producers. You can sample and buy from the “Locally Made Market” network and gain insights from local thought leaders. (In-Person)
Founders Lounge | MultiPass Venture Community
Entrepreneurs can enjoy an evening fostering relationships, exchanging stories, and gathering insights. It promotes networking, provides opportunities for potential collaborations, and includes inspirational talks from successful entrepreneurs. (In-Person)
Events on August 25
ELLEvating Women Entrepreneurs
At this event, you can connect with peers, learn about leadership, time management, work-life balance, and financing options in this free online workshop, which includes a 30-minute networking session. (Virtual)
Bourbon Friday at Spark St. Louis
It’s Friday, and it’s not Friday without Bourbon Friday. And you can join us at Spark St. Louis for our weekly social gathering celebrating the St. Louis startup scene. Stop by for 3 minutes or 3 hours for more great drinks and better conversations. (In-Person)
Events on August 26
August 26-27 // Festival of Nations
Join the Festival of Nations produced by the International Institute of St. Louis. Ignite your senses with global cuisine, drinks, music, and arts. The Festival of Nations showcases traditions and arts from over 75 countries, fostering unity and celebrating multiculturalism. (In-Person)
Delmar Black Business Expo
Whether you’re searching for a tasty lunch, a unique gift, or looking for advice on how to start your own business, this is where to start! (In-Person)
Corner Cinema: Ratatouille | Pocketparks
Grab your friends, lawn chairs, or a blanket, and come to 2 Acre Park for more Corner Cinema! (In-Person)
Events on August 27
Food City Mixer
If you haven’t heard, this new program is awarding $150,000 in grants to packaged food brands owned by underrepresented founders and social impact initiatives. And you can stop by to meet the founders of Food City and learn about their grants, events, and more! More information about Food City
(In-Person)
Further Out
September 18-22 // STL Startup Week
STL Startup Week is back. And there are 5 days of amazing programming; there’s a new Kickoff Party, Startup Connection is back, and of course, we will be hosting another amazing Closing Party and so much more. The Schedule is online right now, it’s all free, and you start registering today. (In-Person)
Join us on Meetup or Tiktok
Share with us in the comments what you’re looking forward to this week! We’re committed to improving the St. Louis Startup, Tech, and Marketing Ecosystem.
If you have any suggestions or feedback, please let us know. And if you have an event or important date to remember, email us at events@bourbonfriday.show.