Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, entrepreneur, marketer, or just curious about the latest trends and innovations, there’s something in this list for everyone. You might discover the next big thing or make some valuable connections. Here’s this week’s rundown from our Founder, Erik Lutenegger of Events & Opportunities in St. Louis this week, coming up the week of February 20 – 24, 2023!
Funding Opportunities, Incubators and Accelerators
Are you looking for Accelerators, Incubators, or Funding? Here’s an excellent place to start!
Apply Now // Free WordPress Speed Optimizations from SwingSpan
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)
Open Now // TechWeek St. Louis Sign-ups | TechSTL
Techweek St. Louis is just around the corner, and if you want to be part of the action? There are three ways to get involved Partner or Sponsor, apply to Speak or Host, or Join the Planning Committee.
Sponsorship Kit
Apply to Speak
Volunteer
Open February 21 // 2023 Arch Grants Startup Competition
It’s that time of year again, and Arch Grants is now a $75,000 non-dilutive grant with tons of resources, and all you have to do is get selected and agree to headquarter your business in St. Louis for at least one year. They also provide $25k in moving expenses if you are moving here. (Pitch Competition)
Due February 16 // EQ 2023 Pitch Competition | UMSL
This competition is meant to help student entrepreneurs move their businesses further faster. The most promising applicants will be invited to receive coaching and to participate in a pitch competition, during which the first, second, and third place winners will receive $3000, $2000, and $1000 cash prizes, respectively.(Pitch Competition)
Due February 28 // Missouri Startup Weekend Pitch
Did you ever want to launch a Startup in one weekend with access to talent, mentors, resources, unlimited coffee, and even seven meals from a top chef? Well, at Missouri Startup week, you can. Winners receive up to $2.5k in cash, PR, help with legal formation, and are invited to Scale’s next cohort! (Pitch Competition)
Due February 28 // The U.S. Bank Foundation Cleantech Inclusion Award | Evergreen Climate Innovations
This pitch competition is for underrepresented and underserved cleantech entrepreneurs building innovative companies that benefit the environment and drive economic development. The winners will receive a $25,000 non-recourse grant, mentoring, and increased exposure to investors and customers. There are some other criteria to apply, so check those out. (Pitch Competition & Funding)
Due March 4 // 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 March 8 // Techstars Accelerator Applications
Accelerator applications are due for TechStars Sports Accelerator Powered by Indy (Accelerator)
Startup, Tech, and Marketing Events
Events on February 20
February 20-24 // TechSTL Takeover at CIC@CET (Members Only)
Join the TechSTL Takeover at CIC@CET all week. TechSTL is hosting a series of events for its members where they will have free access to co-working spaces in the top innovation district hubs in St Louis. There will be a Networking Breakfast on Tuesday and a Takeover Mixer on Friday. This is a members-only event. But there’s still time signup. (In-Person)
Events on February 21
February 21-22 // AI & Machine Learning in the Enterprise | Data Science Salon
Starting on the 21st and going through the 22nd, join AI & Machine Learning in the Enterprise from the Data Science Salon. The event includes talks, workshops, and panels with 30+ speakers and is attended by executives, senior data science practitioners, data science managers, analysts, and engineering professionals. (Virtual)
Web Presence 101 – Ensuring Your Foundation Is Set | Digital Main Street
This workshop is aimed at helping small business owners develop a strategy for their online presence. Participants will learn the importance of being online, creating a website, improving search engine rankings, utilizing social media, and engaging with customers virtually. (Virtual)
SEO Tips & Tools | Missouri SBDC
This webinar explores the fundamentals of Search Engine Optimization, how to make it work for your online marketing strategy, and tools that can help improve your SEO efforts. (Virtual)
Five Steps to Design and Execute Impactful Account-Based Plays | MarketingProfs
Here you’ll learn how to target accounts and craft messaging to impactfully address specific pain points, how to attract accounts and buyer personas by offering them relevant value, and what technology, assets, and coordination issues to keep top of mind. (Virtual)
Marketing Automation: The Secret to Marketing Success and B2B Growth | Insider Intelligence
At this webinar, they’ll share best practices gathered from more than 600 B2B organizations. And you’ll learn to use B2B customer data to automate personalization at scale, orchestrate customer engagement across channels, implement multitouch attribution to tell what has an impact and what doesn’t, and foster a close relationship between sales and marketing. (Virtual)
Discover Data Analytics Preview Course | Savvy Coders
Stop by to learn some Python and dip your toes into the Data Analytics/Python pool. This free interactive class will give you an overview of the Savvy Coders Data Analytics Bootcamp. (Virtual)
SLU eMentors February Networking | Chaifetz Center for Entrepreneurship
The SLU eMentor Program provides students access to mentors and knowledge to address their challenges and prepare them for launching their careers. This is a great way to get involved if you are a student or entrepreneur. (In-Person)
Events on February 22
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: Insitely LLC & Chiara Carroll Bridal (In-Person)
The BIGGEST secret in mobile messaging | nativeMSG
RCS Messaging allows for more dynamic and interactive text messaging experiences. Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile have launched RCS and are excited for the first wave of RCS experiences to hit devices. This is a great place to start if you want to hear more. (Virtual)
Intro to AI for Marketers | Marketing AI Institute
This 30-minute live online class is on using AI to transform your business and career, even if you have no technical background. And covers topics such as identifying AI use cases, evaluating AI technology vendors, and measuring the value of AI tools on your company’s efficiency and performance. (Virtual)
Leadership Perspectives: Startup 360° | WashU Olin Business School
The event will explore entrepreneurship from different perspectives and feature Olin alum Ray Colletti, who has worked on both sides of the fence in high-growth startups for over a decade. Colletti will discuss startup strategies, taking chances, and the opportunities available to aspiring entrepreneurs. (In-Person)
Black Founders Panel: Meet Black Entrepreneurs Bringing Change to St. Louis | Skandalaris Center
This event will provide insight into what St. Louis needs to do to create a space to help Black founders succeed and feature three entrepreneurs who are making a difference in the St. Louis region. Gamuchirai Gandawa, Founder of YKG Crafts; J.P. Johnson, Director of Venture Café St. Louis; and Michelle Robinson, founder of DEMIblue Clean and Vegan Nail Polish. (In-Person)
Events on February 23
Thinker-Fest 2023 | MIT Initiative on the Digital Economy
This event will discuss the latest research on the digital economy, including misinformation and fake news, hybrid work and remote leadership, human-first AI, and solving the job search/matching dilemma. Attendees will learn how to apply these findings to their day-to-day management. (Virtual)
Practical Data Science on AWS: Generative AI | DeepLearning.AI
At this event, attendees can follow along with Antje Barth and Chris Fregly, co-authors of “Data Science on AWS.” as they demonstrate using Amazon CodeWhisperer to generate Python code and Amazon SageMaker to generate images using Stable Diffusion. The session will also cover recent innovations in AI/ML, including generative AI models such as ChatGPT and InstructGPT. (Virtual)
Digital Engagement Benchmarks 2023 | ON24 + MarketingProfs
Here you’ll learn benchmarks to Optimize audience conversion rates, Boost audience engagement and interactivity, Maximize your reach with on-demand experiences, and Drive ROI through your webinars and virtual events. (Virtual)
Uncover The Social Media Metrics That Actually Matter: Get More From Your Data In 2023 | AMA & Netbase Quid
Here you’ll find out tips for uncovering insights that can help strengthen consumer engagement, the best metrics to use to analyze your competition and grow your business, and the vital role social and media channels play in ensuring your content resonates. (Virtual)
Exploring Small Business Programs with the Department of Defense | GEOINT Hub @ T-REX
The event will cover small business programs and opportunities in geospatial intelligence-related fields, focusing on the role of small businesses in assisting the Department of Defense. Topics will include the importance of a diverse defense industrial base, U.S. Department of Air Force small business programs, and success stories from small businesses that have won federal contracts. (In-Person)
Come Learn and Grow with Entrepreneurs’ Organization!
This event will feature Brian Smith, the founder of UGG Boots. He will share his journey to build his business, and it is an excellent opportunity to learn from a world-class speaker and understand the importance of peer support in achieving success. (In-Person)
Financial Management 101 for Startups | Founder Institute
If you need help setting up your finances. Partner Alexander Stephen is hosting a great event to go through the Basics. (Virtual)
Venture Cafe St. Louis | Community Connections
Highlights include: Starting from Square 1 with the Heartland Black, Hispanic & Afghan Chambers, a Non-profit Meet & Greet, and the next FoundHER at Venture Café panels. TechSTL will host a panel of women founders, thought leaders, and change agents at these gatherings to uplift and celebrate their path to success. This week’s panel guests are Danielle Deavens of Bold Xchange and Candera Thompson of Bask & Bloom. (In-Person)
Events on February 24
Bourbon Friday | TechArtista Downtown
It’s Friday, and it’s not Friday without Bourbon Friday. And you can join us at Techartista Downtown 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. Don’t forget to help us select our Featured Bourbon of the Week by following us on Instagram! (In-Person)
February 24-26 // AIGA St. Louis Student Conference
The conference includes one-on-one portfolio reviews, hands-on printing tutorials, speakers, workshops, and networking opportunities with designers, design firms, artists, and more. The conference schedule includes a mixer on Friday night, a keynote talk on Saturday morning, and workshops in the afternoon, with virtual portfolio reviews on Sunday. (In-Person)
February 24-26 // Artist INC Express Workshop
This virtual weekend intensive workshop is designed to help artists address professional and entrepreneurial challenges in their practices. And includes activities and discussions on goal setting, writing about work, and building a personal brand. (Virtual)
Join us on Meetup or Tiktok
What are you excited for this week? What do we need in St. Louis Startup, Tech, and Marketing Ecosystem? Let us know in the comments!
Have an event or important date coming up, please email us at events@bourbonfriday.show.