St. Louis entrepreneurs and tech pros, your community awaits! The week of February 2-8, 2026, delivers networking gold, skill-building workshops, and business resources tailored to your needs. Erik Lutenegger, our Founder, shares his expertly curated list of can’t-miss events.
ESO, Accelerator, and Funding Opportunities
Volunteer Opportunities at LaunchCode
LaunchCode is seeking volunteers for upcoming virtual opportunities supporting data analysis students and early-career technologists. Opportunities include mock interviews, capstone project evaluations, demo day facilitation, and Lunch & Learn speaking engagements on topics like software development, AI, cybersecurity, and professional growth. Volunteers receive guidance and help learners prepare for careers in tech. (Volunteer)
- Data Analysis Mock Interview
- Data Analysis In-Class Project Demos
- Data Analysis Demo Day (Public Event)
- Lunch N Learn Speaking Engagements
Speaking Opportunities with TechSTL
TechSTL is seeking trainers to lead 45-minute, hands-on workshops across two programs: DevLAB and BuildIT. DevLAB focuses on intermediate developers building real portfolio projects with in-demand tools at T-REX, while BuildIT delivers practical AI workshops for small businesses, startups, and nonprofits at CIC @ Cortex, helping teams move from AI experimentation to real-world execution. (Speaking)
Application Open // Small Business Success Program | Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan St. Louis
Built for small businesses ready to level up, this bilingual program blends personalized coaching, expert mentorship, and hands-on workshops to help established, revenue-generating companies grow with confidence. Participants gain practical tools, tailored strategies, and a supportive peer community designed to turn momentum into sustainable, year-over-year growth. (Incubator)
Applications Open // Inc 5000
This annual recognition honors the fastest-growing private companies in the United States, highlighting exceptional revenue growth and entrepreneurial success. Honorees gain national visibility through editorial coverage, a permanent company profile, and association with past industry-defining businesses. January 30th is the Early Rate Deadline. (Industry Award)
Due February 3 // 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; TechLaunch for pre-seed; Seed Capital for the Seed stage; and the Venture Capital Program, which supports technology startups by matching equity or convertible debt investments up to $2,000,000. (Funding)
Due March 13 // SLU New Venture Accelerator | Chaifetz Center for Entrepreneurship
Designed for Saint Louis University students and recent alumni, this 14-week accelerator helps founders turn ideas into fundable ventures through hands-on mentorship, customer discovery, and business-building support. Participants may access up to $50,000 in equity-free funding and cap the experience with an investor-facing demo day.
Startup, Tech, and Marketing Events
February 1
Pitch your Idea: Female Founders | Founder Institute
Experience an empowering event where aspiring female entrepreneurs pitch their original ideas to a wider audience, showcasing the drive, passion, and creativity fueling the next generation of business leaders. (Virtual)
February 2
Selling a Small Business With Under 5 Million in Sales | Small Business University
Learn practical techniques for preparing your company for sale, including valuations, deal structures, bank financing, due diligence, and exit planning, from an experienced business broker. (Virtual)
February 3
February 3-5 // 2026 BioSTL Global AgriFood Innovation Summit | BioSTL
Join forward-thinkers from farming, funding, and founding sectors for a full day exploring agriculture’s future, featuring Dolphin Tank pitches, expert panels, continental breakfast, lunch, and a vibrant celebration reception. (In-Person)
Harnessing Google Business Profile to bring more people to your website | Digital Boost
Attend an interactive Digital Skills lab designed for entrepreneurs aiming to increase their website traffic, covering how to create, manage, and optimize Google Business Profiles for better visibility. (Virtual)
The Power of Presence: Leaders Inspiring What’s Next | Focus St. Louis
Experience an engaging Black History Month panel featuring top Black leaders who reveal how their resilience and purpose shape St. Louis’s future through insights into authentic leadership, equity-building, and collective progress. (In-Person | Missouri Botanical Garden)
Introverted Women Entrepreneurs Connecting + Community Open House | Building Her Dream
Network with like-minded, introverted women entrepreneurs at this open house, which prioritizes authentic relationships over superficial networking through small-group discussions and opportunities for collaboration in a nurturing space. (Virtual)
Vibe Coding 101 | General Assembly
Gain insight into vibe coding through this free one-hour webinar, exploring AI-powered tools that streamline project building while learning about LLMs, APIs, and web tech stacks with hands-on experience. (Virtual)
How to Transform Your Region into a Hub for Cross-Border Entrepreneurship | Founder Institute
Take in expert guidance from ecosystem strategists and corporate leaders on building cross-border innovation ecosystems, with a focus on collaboration among Germany, Japan, and Cyprus to boost regional innovation and talent retention. (Virtual)
How to Use Press & PR to Grow Faster | Entrepreneur Media
Enhance your growth strategy with insights from Pace PR’s Annie Scranton, who outlines how credibility, SEO, and customer trust can be built through earned media. Learn the five essentials of public relations and how to pitch like a pro… even without resources. (Virtual)
The 3-Step System to Grow Your Email List & Turn Subscribers Into Revenue | Network After Work
Discover strategies to move audiences from borrowed platforms into your own email list while learning how to intentionally grow engagement so subscribers stay attentive and become customers. (Virtual)
DevLAB: Hacking, Building & Learning at T-REX | TechSTL
Savor an evening packed with expert-led trainings showcasing top software tools and emerging trends in technology, including Power BI data visualization and agentic patterns, coupled with networking over snacks and drinks. (In-Person | T-REX)
Get Started in Government Contracting | St. Louis County Library
Uncover critical knowledge about succeeding in government contracts during this hybrid workshop covering essential criteria and practical advice for businesses aiming to engage effectively with public sector clients. (In-Person | Clark Family Branch)
February 4
Morning Hatch | T-REX
Ignite your growth journey through a focused conversation on customer acquisition, led by Balto AI’s Marc Bernstein. Discover foundational tactics that help early-stage ventures earn trust, establish traction, and gain credibility in competitive markets. (In-Person | T-REX)
AI and the Planet: Can Democracy Survive AI? | RSA Fellowship
Participate in a thought-provoking webinar examining AI’s growing role in shaping political discourse, from the Cambridge Analytica revelations to today’s synthetic media risks and the influence of generative AI on democracy. (Virtual)
PitchSTL | A Scent from Heaven
Network with fellow innovators at a lively weekly meetup where one or two presenters share concise six-minute pitch decks and receive audience insights, creating an inspiring environment for St. Louis startups. (In-Person | Northside Economic Empowerment Center)
Unlock Free Advertising Secrets: Boost Your Business Today! | NYC Department of Small Business Services
Elevate your marketing strategy by learning how to leverage Link Local’s free and affordable advertising platform, with guidance on creating impactful campaigns using pre-designed templates for local community targeting. (Virtual)
Marketing Fundamentals & Best Practices | SCORE
Unite with fellow entrepreneurs in a live digital workshop exploring core marketing concepts and ten proven strategies, featuring practical success stories, resource sharing, and dynamic group discussions. (Virtual)
AI Demo Day Q1 | Data Science Connect
Dive into a focused showcase of cutting-edge AI solutions where each presentation delivers impactful ten-minute demonstrations, with direct interactions with industry leaders and visionary founders. (Virtual)
MO Data: Leveraging Public Data to Hold the State Accountable | STL Big Data – Innovation, Data Engineering, Analytics Group
Join an engaging presentation where attendees learn practical methods for accessing and analyzing Missouri’s public data to hold state officials accountable and enhance democracy through informed citizen participation. (In-Person | CIC St. Louis – CET)
The Agentic SOC of the Future and AI Agents Today | Google Cloud
Venture into a dynamic session focusing on the evolution of security operations centers empowered by intelligent agents, uncovering the latest trends and tactical advantages in automated cybersecurity defense. (Virtual)
February 5
February Coffee Club | AMA Saint Louis
Discover a relaxed morning gathering at Upshot Coffee Flyby, where marketers exchange ideas and stories over thoughtfully sourced coffee, fostering genuine connections without pitches or speakers in a welcoming community. (In-Person | Upshot Coffee Flyby)
Simple automations that run your business in the background | Enterprise Nation
Learn how straightforward automation tools can quietly run essential background tasks like reminders, invoicing, and client updates, boosting organizational efficiency and freeing up time for critical work. (Virtual)
Coffee Connections – Strategic Planning & Goal Setting for the Year | SMPS St. Louis
Gain valuable knowledge at this informal breakfast meetup focused on how firms refresh their marketing strategies and align goals with business development, with networking opportunities and continuing education credit. (In-Person | June’s Breakfast + Patio)
2026 Spirit of Delmar DivINe Collaboration Awards | Delmar DivINe
Celebrate the resilience and strength of the St. Louis region as this awards ceremony honors collaborative efforts that foster community well-being in the face of adversity, followed by a delightful brunch gathering. (In-Person | Delmar DivINe)
Your AI Strategy for 2026 | Startup Grind Johannesburg
Connect with a vibrant online session addressing the crucial elements of designing effective AI strategies, learning how to move past experimentation toward intentional implementation that enhances organizational performance. (Virtual)
AI Unleashed Summit | Kane and Alessia Minkus
Ignite your path to exponential income growth with cutting-edge AI strategies designed for entrepreneurs. From productivity breakthroughs to content automation, this live session reveals how AI can help build seven-figure businesses, no tech skills or prior experience necessary. (Virtual)
Prep, Plan, Prosper: Mastering Tax Season for Business | Justine PETERSEN
Uncover essential strategies at this one-hour online seminar where Dr. Sabrina M. Brown equips small business owners with tools for handling income, expenses, tax filings, and compliance to thrive during tax season. (Virtual)
3 Ways Brand Control Breaks in the Zero-Click Era | MarketingProfs
Engage with marketing leaders as they uncover three ways traditional brand control is disrupted by AI summaries, sharing proactive governance techniques and scalable execution approaches to safeguard your brand’s reputation. (Virtual)
The Agentic SOC of the Future and AI Agents Today | Carta
Explore key operational trends uncovered across thousands of U.S. venture and private equity funds. Carta’s experts examine fee structures, expenses, and fund behavior, providing LPs, GPs, and CFOs with peer-based comparisons and actionable insights to refine strategy and improve efficiency. (Virtual)
The GEO Imperative: Why Brands Must Optimize for AI Discovery | Martech
Explore the dynamic world of Generative Engine Optimization and learn why brands must adapt quickly to AI-driven discovery methods, with a live demonstration of powerful optimization tools to maintain a competitive presence. (Virtual)
Business Banking Workshop: Access to Capital | African Chamber of Commerce, St. Louis
Kick off your journey toward business funding by joining a session with BMO Bank leaders who share strategies on the Zero to Business program, with light refreshments and convenient parking in a welcoming setting. (In-Person | Heartland St. Louis Black Chamber of Commerce)
Founders Lounge Global | Powered by Metis Analytics
Venture into an exclusive space designed for founders and curious minds aiming to master the technical aspects of modern AI, exploring agentic systems, model behaviors, and practical deployment lessons through interactive discussions. (In-Person | Spark Coworking – St. Louis)
Power & Pearls Galentine’s Mixer | #SheCan Connect Global Network
Unite with dynamic women celebrating their strength and individuality in a refined setting, featuring delicious small plates, sparkling refreshments, and opportunities to form meaningful bonds while showcasing your signature style. (In-Person | Saint Louis Club)
Grow with Google Overview: Digital Skills & Career Pathways Info Session | The Biz Spot Community
Take part in an informative session on ongoing efforts to close the digital skills gap by providing accessible certifications and career pathways to ensure equitable access to tech jobs. (In-Person | The 89th Collective)
February 6
When to use AI as a solution for your business | Enterprise Nation
Discover how to effectively integrate AI in your business for short to medium-term benefits through a practical framework provided by expert Julian Musson, complete with a helpful worksheet and real-world applications. (Virtual)
Super Bowl Analytics with polars | Datacamp
Gain practical skills in sports analytics through Super Bowl data as Will Bracken demonstrates polars for efficient metric calculation, ML modeling, and hypothesis testing. Discover how historical stats can reveal insights about league trends and forecast this year’s big game. (Virtual)
Bourbon Friday | Sponsored by Tenacity
Savor a unique mix of bourbon tasting and open conversation, designed to bring together those shaping the startup world. Share your journey, swap insights, and enjoy good company in an environment built on connection, community, and a touch of tradition. (In-Person | TechArtista CWE)
February 7
Media Relations and Social Media for Entrepreneurs | NY Public Library, Thomas Yoseloff Business Center
Enhance your entrepreneurial skills by gaining insights into crafting effective press strategies, maximizing LinkedIn visibility, engaging with AI platforms for promotion, and utilizing new publishing tools in this virtual workshop. (Virtual)
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We’re eager to hear about your weekly goals and wins! Drop a line in the comments. Your perspective on the St. Louis Startup, Tech, and Marketing scene helps us all grow. For events and important dates, the email is [email protected].
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