Step into St. Louis’s entrepreneurial spotlight! The week of January 19-25, 2026, showcases incredible opportunities for startup founders, tech professionals, and marketing strategists to connect and collaborate. Erik Lutenegger, our Founder, presents your curated guide to the action.
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
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 January 26 // Launchpad 725 | TechArtista Foundation
This six-month accelerator supports early-stage founders from underrepresented backgrounds or those building social or environmental impact ventures in St. Louis County. Participants receive free coworking, workshops, one-on-one mentorship, peer support, a cash stipend, and extended coworking access to help move their businesses forward. (Accelerator)
Due February 8 // HR Awards | St. Louis Business Journal
Behind every great workplace is strong HR leadership. This regional awards program spotlights standout HR professionals in the St. Louis area who are driving real impact through innovative people practices, culture-building initiatives, and programs that strengthen both employees and organizations. (Community Award)
Due February 14 // Small Business Hero Grants | Intuit QuickBooks & Mailchimp
This national spotlight shines a light on small businesses that keep communities running. Each quarter, three standout entrepreneurs receive a $20,000 grant and marketing support to amplify their stories, scale their impact, and be recognized as local heroes driving economic and community resilience. (Grant)
Startup, Tech, and Marketing Events
January 19
MLK Community Artist Exhibit | The 89th Collective
Immerse yourself in a rich display of community-created artworks reflecting heritage, hope, and social consciousness. This exhibit offers an engaging platform for artists to share impactful stories inspired by the ideals of a visionary leader. (In-Person | The 89th Collective)
January 20
Virtual Conference: The Year Ahead in Marketing | American Marketing Association
Engage with top marketing professionals as they share cutting-edge insights and predictions for the year ahead. This online event offers attendees the opportunity to explore new marketing techniques and connect with peers across sectors. (Virtual)
Unleash Design Creativity with AI (Free Class) | General Assembly
Transform your understanding of user experience design in an interactive, free class that teaches effective use of accessible AI tools. Discover how AI shifts designers’ focus from routine work towards strategic leadership in innovation and ethics. (Virtual)
Dynamo Day | Nvidia
Discover the vibrant Dynamo community gathering for a virtual event filled with insightful talks, demos, and partner perspectives. Attendees will learn about the latest updates, best practices, and real-world applications of Dynamo in production environments. (Virtual)
The Food and Agriculture Research Mission at WashU | St. Louis Agribusiness Club
Understand the goals and ongoing work of the FARM initiative as faculty outline research programs addressing food and agriculture through a public health lens. A facilitated conversation encourages input from regional organizations to help shape future collaboration, with support from Seed St. Louis. (In-Person | Danforth University Center)
AI for Founders (Small Business Owners) | Digital Boost
Elevate your entrepreneurial skills by participating in a focused workshop on AI applications for startups. This event highlights strategic approaches and valuable tools every founder should know, and offers interactive Q&A to clarify doubts. (Virtual)
Founder Spotlight: Energy & Sustainability with CruxOCM (Techstars Webinar) | Techstars
Attend a revealing conversation with CruxOCM’s CEO, Vicki Knott, hosted by Techstars. Gain firsthand knowledge about overcoming challenges in customer acquisition and investment processes within industrial autonomy and sustainable energy. (Virtual)
The LinkedIn Glow Up | How To Create A LinkedIn Profile That Gets Noticed | CreativeMornings
Join a hands-on workshop designed to help you revamp your LinkedIn profile from head to toe. Learn creative ways to showcase your personality while making your profile search-friendly and discover bonus insights that boost your professional presence online. (Virtual)
Vibecoding with AI: Build Your Own App | MIT
Experience a beginner-friendly workshop where you’ll build simple AI apps with no-code tools, gaining hands-on skills and a practical understanding of modern AI. By session’s end, participants create their own functional AI-powered mini-apps through creativity and exploration. (Virtual)
Lead, Lift, and Legacy: A Night of Mentoring & Connection | Adventure Unknown
Embrace an inspiring night focused on mentorship and leadership where women support one another’s growth journeys. Engage with authors and experts, enjoy social refreshments, and receive complimentary books as you expand your network among like-minded professionals seeking intentional community. (In-Person | Adventure Unknown)
Money Systems for Freelancers: How to Start the Year Strong | Freelancers Union
Explore essential money management techniques tailored for freelancers, focusing on cash flow, taxes, saving, and investing strategies to empower financial confidence throughout the year. (Virtual)
Brainstorm a Great Startup Idea for 2026: Online Workshop | Founder Institute
Connect with aspiring entrepreneurs in this interactive session where you’ll discover six practical frameworks for generating innovative startup ideas. Gain expert guidance from Jonathan Greechan and engage in idea-sharing for valuable feedback and potential co-founder opportunities. (Virtual)
Introverted Women Entrepreneurs Connecting + Community Open House | Building Her Dream
Unite with like-minded introverted women founders in a relaxed online environment focused on deep connections and supportive collaboration. Experience structured networking tailored to introverts, brief teachings on visibility, and an introduction to a nurturing community. (Virtual)
Mapping Connectivity for Saving Lives: EWCM | AI for Good (ITU)
Understand the persistent connectivity gaps that hinder timely early warnings in vulnerable regions, despite widespread mobile network coverage. This session introduces the Early Warning Connectivity Map (EWCM), a geospatial tool identifying connectivity coldspots to enhance life-saving communication access. (Virtual)
January 21
PitchSTL | Presenters: MomMoment
Participate in an engaging startup event that offers entrepreneurs an opportunity to showcase their ideas each week at the Northside Economic Empowerment Center. Attendees enjoy direct interaction through presentations paired with valuable audience feedback. (In-Person | Northside Economic Empowerment Center)
Predictions 2026 Webinar: B2C Marketing, CX, & Digital | Forrester
Join Forrester experts as they share key predictions for 2026, focusing on consumer behavior changes, CX team dynamics, and the drive toward authentic value. Discover tactical advice on leading under economic pressures with innovative tools designed to align outcomes with priorities. (Virtual)
AI Best Uses for Startups | Tulane Innovation Institute
Learn about the current capabilities and challenges of AI and LLM platforms, gaining insights essential for integrating these technologies into new business ventures. (Virtual)
Insights from Gartner’s 2026 Marketing Predictions: Take Control of Marketing’s AI Future | Gartner
Gain perspective on preparing marketing organizations for persistent AI systems by strengthening governance frameworks and redefining team structures. The discussion highlights practical guidance for measurable performance, ethical AI adoption, and protecting long-term brand relevance amid accelerating technological change. (Virtual)
Close More Deals in 2026: 6 AI Selling Plays That Actually Work | IMPACT (with Vidyard)
Attend this dynamic session that blends AI innovation with sales expertise, revealing proven techniques to reduce no-shows and boost revenue. Experience interactive polling to win a strategic playbook toolkit and connect with experts from IMPACT and Vidyard. (Virtual)
Strategy Lab – January 2026: Your 2026 Marketing Plan Starts Here | Connect Video
Dive into a hands-on workshop where you’ll develop your 2026 marketing plan, brand clarity, and video content strategy with experts guiding AI-powered tools and funnel building in a focused two-hour session limited to 30 participants. (In-Person | La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham St. Louis Westport)
Agentic AI Summit | ODSC AI
Experience the future of AI by mastering the design and implementation of agentic systems through interactive sessions. Benefit from expert-led workshops, collaborative environments, and extensive resources tailored for builders and innovators. (Virtual)
BUILD your migration for the AI era: tools, systems, and implementation steps | Google Cloud
Explore practical approaches and advanced systems tailored for an effective migration in the AI era, focusing on critical tools and actionable steps that ensure a smooth transformation process. (Virtual)
Model Red-Teaming: Dynamic Security Analysis for LLMs | Snyk
Connect with industry leaders who dissect the latest AI security challenges associated with large language models. Examine common threat vectors and understand why static code analysis tools fail here, while learning practical tactics rooted in penetration testing to dynamically safeguard AI systems. (Virtual)
Creating a Business Idea That Works | NYC Department of Small Business Services
Gain insights on how to formulate a viable business idea by learning to analyze your customers, industry, and competitors effectively. This online webinar guides you through creating an action plan to test your market opportunity and develop a clear business concept. (Virtual)
Navigating Growth in a Trust-Based Industry: How FinServ Marketers Can Stand Out | Fin.Tech Marketing
Discover cutting-edge approaches that financial services and FinTech organizations use to evolve their go-to-market plans. This event showcases how forward-thinking marketers develop confidence-building campaigns amidst rising customer expectations and expanding buying groups. (Virtual)
Developing Trust in the Era of AI | Emarketer
Enhance your understanding of navigating the AI era in marketing, focusing on building consumer trust through effective channels and strategies, while receiving exclusive insights from a new EMARKETER report. (Virtual)
Not Your Typical AI Webinar: 4 Practical Tips for Real Results | Data Science Connect
Immerse yourself in an expert panel revealing the latest breakthroughs in Generative AI and computer vision, showcasing practical applications that enhance visual data analysis and decision-making across industries. (Virtual)
Finish Strong, Start Smart: Building Momentum for the Year Ahead | Nonprofit Marketers Network-STL
Participate in an interactive virtual event tailored for executive directors, fundraisers, and marketers seeking to shift focus from setbacks to achievements. You’ll leave energized with a personalized plan to maintain strong progress throughout 2026. (Virtual)
Geospatial User Group | T-REX
Join the Geospatial User Group for a fresh kickoff by Walter Jenkins, who explores advanced storytelling beyond traditional maps. Discover innovative ways to create customizable, repeatable websites using modern JavaScript frameworks and story data solutions. (In-Person | T-REX)
New Year Happy Hour | SMPS St. Louis
Celebrate the New Year at a lively happy hour where attendees can network, share holiday stories, and learn about upcoming conference scholarships. Past recipients will discuss opportunities related to regional and national A/E/C conferences in a relaxed setting. (In-Person | Robust Bistro and Wine Bar)
Sam Goodwin: Winning Through Uncertainty | Washington University: Assembly Series
Embrace a transformative mindset with Sam Goodwin’s inspiring keynote on navigating disruption and complexity. Attendees will learn how to adapt, innovate, and lead boldly under pressure, turning unknown situations into paths for success and growth. (In-Person | Graham Chapel)
AI-Powered Automation for Marketers | Digital Marketing Institute
Kickstart your marketing journey by mastering AI-powered automation in this 2-part live masterclass. Discover how to streamline tasks, build self-running workflows, and focus on creativity using tools like Zapier and Make.com, guided by expert Will Francis. (Virtual)
Transform Your Business Revenue With AI-Powered Systems | Transformative Revenue Circle
Elevate business performance through practical examples of AI-driven lead generation, automation, and analytics shared by Robin Patra and Jeff Wright. The session highlights how modern systems help owners work fewer hours while improving revenue reliability. (In-Person | Richmond Heights Community Circle or Virtual)
January 22
Managing AI-First Teams | DataCamp
Learn how modern data and engineering leaders adapt hiring, training, and collaboration as AI becomes foundational. The discussion outlines leadership approaches that embed AI into daily workflows, support continuous skill development, and strengthen how technical teams deliver measurable business impact. (Virtual)
Mission Meets Marketing: Social Media Strategy for B Corps | Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR)
Witness an engaging workshop led by a seasoned social media marketing manager that explores why social media remains crucial for B Corps. Gain clarity on platform selection, strategy refinement, and purposeful communication aimed at building meaningful audience connections. (Virtual)
Relationship Marketing 101: Turning Contacts into Customers | SCORE (Kansas City)
Engage in a dynamic webinar exploring the fundamentals of relationship marketing, focusing on turning contacts into loyal customers through integrated communication strategies and modern tools, including AI, to simplify management. (Virtual)
Business Resource Navigator: Your Guide to Library Tools | Justine PETERSEN
Explore a dynamic online session that guides you through valuable business resources available at libraries, offering expert tips on maximizing these tools for entrepreneurial success and growth. (Virtual)
Ethical AI in 2026: What Leaders Need to Know Now | NY Public Library, Thomas Yoseloff Business Center
Immerse yourself in a conversation focused on navigating the complexities of AI in business leadership. Learn strategies to align AI practices with ethical standards while driving performance and maintaining consumer trust in evolving marketplaces. (Virtual)
RAISE Emerging Manager Fund Analysis | Carta
Uncover how emerging venture managers are achieving standout results as Scott Dubin of RAISE and Akkadian Ventures and Peter Walker of Carta analyze fund performance from RAISE Global 2025 and examine evolving benchmarks for top-decile outcomes. (Virtual)
The Event Experience Equation: Small Tweaks That Drive BIG Pipeline Impact | Cvent, Goldcast & Martech
Embark on a learning journey where virtual events meet powerful video strategies. Discover how to benchmark your webinars against a proven playbook and utilize key features that boost engagement and pipeline impact, shared by seasoned professionals in event marketing. (Virtual)
The Marketing Fortune! It’s All in the Follow-Up (But Only if You Do It Right) | MarketingProfs
Revel in practical marketing wisdom as this webinar reveals the power of consistent, personalized follow-up using automation. Industry expert Darin Adams guides service-based businesses to streamline their tools and grow revenue efficiently with simple systems anyone can implement. (Virtual)
How to Earn More in 30 Minutes a Day with Digital Farming | Network After Work
Unite with others in a compelling online session that reveals how Digital Farming can transform your workday. Discover methods that enable you to grow an income stream steadily without social media pressure or the need for viral content creation, suited for beginners. (Virtual)
Thrivent Thursday: Small Business Solutions – Financial Forecasting | HSSU – Center of Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Engage in a session focused on small business financial forecasting. Learn how to plan for growth, manage risks, and navigate funding opportunities while avoiding common mistakes, ensuring your business is financially prepared. (In-Person | Center of Innovation & Entrepreneurship)
From Idea to Insight: Customer Discovery for Startups | Skandalaris Center
Gain practical insights into customer discovery with a hands-on workshop led by experienced UX leader Kate Edgar Owen, focusing on understanding user problems to develop products with strong market fit and sustainable business models. (In-Person | Skandalaris Center)
Founders Lounge Global – Powered by Metis Analytics
Engage in a collaborative environment where entrepreneurs and innovators exchange experiences, uncover opportunities, and sharpen their business approach. Through regular meetups and learning-focused sessions, Founders Lounge emphasizes long-term growth, shared knowledge, and building lasting professional connections. (In-Person | Spark Coworking – St. Louis)
January 23
PR on a shoestring | Enterprise Nation
Dive into the essentials of running a successful PR campaign on a budget. This session covers various PR story types, targeting the right journalists, and insider tips from Suzanne Noble’s extensive experience in the entertainment and tech sectors. (Virtual)
Bourbon Friday // Networking & Bourbon Tasting | Sponsored by Tenacity
Unite with local founders, creatives, and professionals over samples of fine bourbon in an inviting setting. The event encourages sharing insights from entrepreneurial journeys alongside savoring quality drinks in good company. (In-Person | TechArtista CWE)
January 25
2026 UX Career Planning with UX Woman | UX Woman
Participate in a focused online event dedicated to UX career planning where you’ll explore strategic approaches to shaping your professional future and defining key objectives in the UX field for the upcoming year. (Virtual)
Join us on Meetup or Tiktok.
How are you making this week a great one? Let us know below! Your voice matters in our mission to improve the St. Louis Startup, Tech, and Marketing Ecosystem. If you have an event or key date, don’t hesitate to reach out at [email protected].
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