Make your mark on the St. Louis innovation scene! The week of January 5-11, 2026, brings together entrepreneurs, tech visionaries, and marketing professionals for transformative events and experiences. Erik Lutenegger, our Founder, delivers the insider’s guide to our ecosystem’s best offerings.
ESO, Accelerator, and Funding Opportunities
Due January 5 // Innovation in Philanthropy Awards 2026 – Nominations
An annual recognition highlights up to three innovative partnerships between companies and nonprofits that meaningfully strengthen the St. Louis community. Nominations should showcase creative approaches to major local challenges, such as racial equity, education, or social justice, with selected honorees featured in a special publication. (Community Award)
Due January 5 // Startups to Watch 2026 – Nominations
A regional awards program highlights promising early-stage startups under five years old that have raised less than $25 million. Honorees are selected for their momentum and potential to make a significant impact in the coming year, with nominations open to founders and community members. (Community Award)
Due January 9 // Founder Framework | T-REX
A free, 11-week in-person program helps early-stage founders build core startup fundamentals, from customer discovery to go-to-market strategy and financial storytelling. Participants create practical outputs each week and develop an investor-ready narrative, gaining clarity, structure, and tools to move their businesses forward. (Bootcamp)
Startup, Tech, and Marketing Events
January 5
Avoiding HR Pitfalls for SMBs | SCORE
Explore crucial strategies for SMBs to navigate human resources challenges while remaining legally compliant. This session focuses on risks such as discrimination, wage laws, and employee safety, offering practical solutions to prevent common HR pitfalls. (Virtual)
The SMB Guide to Video Platforms: Zoom, Teams, Google, and Beyond | Small Business University
Venture into the evolving landscape of video conferencing technologies, ideal for small businesses aiming to streamline communications. This free webinar tackles critical choices in software and room setups that preserve quality while simplifying usage. (Virtual)
January 6
Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner | Founder Institute
Connect with global startup experts and peers during this vibrant online event focused on finding the right Co-Founder. Enhance your team-building skills through interactive activities, detailed guides, and real-time networking opportunities. (Virtual)
Full-stack photonic quantum computing at Xanadu | Master of Science in Applied Computing @ UofT
Discover how Xanadu integrates cutting-edge photonic hardware with a comprehensive software ecosystem in this detailed presentation by Nathan, highlighting advances in quantum computing and real-world problem solving. (Virtual)
AI in Healthcare & Life Sciences: Gartner’s 2026 Prediction | Gartner
Explore the evolving role of agentic AI in revolutionizing healthcare and life sciences as industry leaders confront operational challenges and shifting expectations. Examine how organizations can prepare for autonomous solutions, foster trust, and drive impactful outcomes amid a rapidly changing landscape. (Virtual)
Introverted Women Entrepreneurs Connecting | Building Her Dream
Experience an introvert-friendly networking event tailored for women entrepreneurs craving deeper connections. Engage in small-group discussions, present your projects, and find collaboration partners in a relaxed atmosphere that encourages you to show up as your authentic self. (Virtual)
IDEA Fund Info Session | Missouri Technology Corporation
Attend an engaging virtual info session centered on the IDEA Fund. Participants register in advance and receive a confirmation email with instructions for joining the Zoom meeting. (Virtual)
Tech Talk: How to Build & Launch a Startup with AI: Lessons from Prompy.app | Confluence Tech Hub
Absorb insights from Ryan O’Neil, who shares how AI powered the creation and launch of Prompy.app, including product design, development, branding, and customer discovery techniques tailored for startups. (In-Person | OPO Startups)
How to Build a Side Hustle with AI in One Weekend | Albert’s List
Ignite your entrepreneurial spirit with insights into future-proofing your career through side hustles powered by AI. Learn from real-world success stories and master how to use existing skills combined with new technology for quick business launches. (Virtual)
Building Better AI: Why Data Quality Matters Most | St. Louis County Library
Learn the basics of artificial intelligence and how local data scientists are building advanced AI models to enhance reliability for business and government applications. The session also includes a hands-on demo exploring core AI concepts. (In-Person | Oak Bend Branch)
January 7
January 7-9 // AI for Business Summit
Experience an interactive three-day summit where you’ll learn how to automate workflows with AI-driven bots, clone your brand’s voice across platforms, generate warm leads consistently, and leverage virtual assistants trained with AI to increase productivity and profits. (Virtual)
PitchSTL | Presenters: How To Think BIG! & Children With Faith And Hope Inc
Dive into PitchSTL’s vibrant community where St. Louis startups come together each week to present innovative ideas. With optional pitch decks and plenty of networking opportunities, it’s an ideal way to gain exposure and helpful insights without an RSVP or fee. (In-Person | Northside Economic Empowerment Center)
Power Up Your Marketing with AI | General Assembly
Discover how artificial intelligence can enhance your marketing workflow by streamlining tasks and optimising decisions. This free online event offers expert guidance on applying AI techniques for personalised, efficient, and impactful marketing outcomes. (Virtual)
5 Steps to Get Ahead in 2026 | Entrepreneur Magazine
Learn how serial entrepreneur Kim Perell systematically approaches each new year to drive exponential growth. Her actionable roadmap focuses on simplifying priorities, aligning teams, and implementing a repeatable execution strategy to transform goals into measurable outcomes. (Virtual)
New Year, New Goals: Kiva Office Hours | WEPOWER
Network with like-minded individuals seeking purpose and direction through practical goal-setting techniques. This office hours event encourages personalized advice and peer engagement to accelerate progress throughout the year. (In-Person | CIC @ CET)
January 8
January Coffee Club | AMA Saint Louis
Kick off your day with engaging conversations and premium coffee at the January Coffee Club meetup. Join fellow marketers for in-person networking, meaningful connections, and a welcoming atmosphere at E61 Cafe that sets the tone for a productive year ahead. (In-Person | E61 Cafe)
Coffee Connections – Year in Review: Wins, Challenges, & Lessons; Planning for Next Year | SMPS St. Louis
Explore focused Coffee Connection meetings held at local venues featuring topical conversations on yearly goal-setting, reflections on wins and challenges, branding strategies, and content creation, aimed at elevating your professional impact. (In-Person | June’s Breakfast + Patio)
How to Build an AI System That Saves You Hours Every Week | Network After Work
Discover a practical 3-step approach to train ChatGPT to plan, organize, and execute tasks automatically. This live training guides you in creating an AI assistant that reduces your workload by managing information and producing outputs without repeated prompts. (Virtual)
Navigate Commercial Leases with Confidence | Start Small Think Big
Enhance your understanding of commercial real estate leases through insights on standard terms, financial risks, negotiation priorities, and effective exit plans. This webinar empowers entrepreneurs to secure favorable lease arrangements. (Virtual)
Founders Lounge Global – Powered by Metis Analytics | AI Predictions for 2026
Participate in a thought-provoking meetup that emphasizes collaborative exploration over a lecture format. Founders and investors share firsthand experiences on persistent AI systems, potential blind spots, and the shifting landscape of technology startups in 2026. (In-Person | Spark Coworking – St. Louis)
January 9
How to create a simple customer persona | Enterprise Nation
Engage in a dynamic webinar led by Angela Venoya, where you’ll learn to create a simple customer persona that sharpens your marketing focus. Discover a framework emphasizing problem, goal, objections, and triggers to enhance messaging and boost campaign effectiveness. (Virtual)
Bourbon Friday
Celebrate the startup spirit with an evening of bourbon tasting and networking at TechArtista CWE. Enjoy mingling with entrepreneurs, sharing experiences, and sampling fine bourbons in a relaxed social setting from 4-7 pm. (In-Person | TechArtista CWE)
January 10
Cannabis Industry and Market Research | NY Public Library, Thomas Yoseloff Business Center
Embark on an insightful journey through the cannabis industry’s market dynamics, drawing on comprehensive resources such as IBISWorld, Mintel, and Statista. Gain knowledge about consumer behaviors, industry performance, and how to identify cannabis businesses globally in this online session. (Virtual)
Join us on Meetup or Tiktok.
Tell us what you’re building, creating, or looking forward to this week! Your ideas for the St. Louis Startup, Tech, and Marketing Ecosystem are vital, so please leave a comment. For all event-related news, email us at [email protected].
© Tenacity, LLC. This content was curated and compiled by hand, requiring hours of work each week. You may not copy, repost, or reproduce this content without permission. However, we welcome and appreciate links to the original post if you’d like to share it with your community. Thanks!