Entrepreneurs, techies, and marketers in the St. Louis area can benefit from numerous opportunities in our local ecosystem. Catering to various needs such as networking, business assistance, skill enhancement, and entertainment, there’s an event for everyone. Explore this roundup of events and opportunities compiled by our Founder, Erik Lutenegger, for the week of May 1-5, 2023 in St. Louis!
Funding, Accelerator, and ESO Opportunities
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)
Due May 9 // MIT Solve’s Global Challenges
Seeking social entrepreneurs using technology to solve today’s most pressing problems. Those selected will join a nine-month support program and receive access to over $1 million in funding, grants, and investments. (Accelerator)
Due May 10 // Techstars Accelerator
Techstars applications are due for Future of Finance, Austin, Berlin, London, New Orleans, Sustainability Paris, Toronto, and Alabama EnergyTech.
(Accelerator)
Due May 12 // Startup Exit & Fire Awards 2023 | St. Louis Inno
Nominations are due for Startup Exit Awards and Lifetime Achievement Award. Also due are the Fire Awards nominations, which honor companies and organizations setting the local innovation economy ablaze. (Community Recognition & Awards)
Due May 14 // Most Influential Business Women Awards 2023 | St. Louis Business Journal
Nominations are due for the Most Influential Business Women Awards from the St. Louis Business Journal. These awards spotlight the women making the biggest impact at their companies and our community.
Marketing, AI, and Startup Events
Events on May 1
May 1-6 // St. Louis Broadband and Digital Inclusion Community Meetings
Ensure your voice is heard at the St. Louis Broadband and Digital Inclusion Community Meetings. At this event, you can share your experience and provide input on how the City can improve access to the Internet and digital inclusion. (In-Person)
May 1-5 // CIE Foundations For Founders National Small Business Week:Business Panel | HSSU Center of Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Highlights include MECCA Accelerator Graduation Ceremony, Essential Entrepreneur Resources Panel, MECCA ScaleUp Pitch Competition, and Cinco De Mayo Founder’s Business Resource Fair. (In-Person)
Events on May 2
May 2-4 // Tools for your Financial Wellness | Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center & Bank of the West
They’re promoting financial wellness with three essential and timely topics to support your entrepreneurial journey. Economic Update for Small Business Owners, Recession Resiliency – How to Survive and Thrive, and SBA101 (Virtual)
Work: Front and Center | St. Louis Business Journal
The focus of this event is discussing talent management in uncertain times. Esteemed St. Louis business leaders will explore critical trends like wellness, diversity, and employee stock ownership while sharing strategies to attract, engage, and retain top talent. (In-Person)
PR 101: What’s News and How to Make It | Enterprise University
This immersive event explores public relations tactics, media landscapes, and interview navigation. You’ll learn essential skills like key message development, news release writing, and story pitching to confidently tackle interviews and boost your business. (Virtual)
Increase Sales by Attracting More of Your Best Customers | SCORE
Here you’ll learn how to find your best customers who pay, stay, and refer others like themselves and stop serving the customers who want everything but expect to pay nothing. (Virtual)
Jumpstart Your Business with FREE Data & Resources | Kirkwood Public Library
At this event, you’ll learn what industry reports, market data, grant searching tools, and other information you can find using your library card and a local librarian. (In-Person & Virtual)
Generative AI Meets Open Culture | Internet Archive
This explores public interest values in shaping AI’s future in cultural heritage preservation. Leaders from Internet Archive, Creative Commons, and Wikimedia Foundation will discuss promoting diversity, cultural understanding, and ethical principles. (Virtual)
Events on May 3
1 Million Cups St. Louis | Presenter: Metis Analytics
This event is for local entrepreneurs to meet and present their startups to the innovation community here in St. Louis. (In-Person)
UX Design: How to Build Design Systems at Scale | Bonanza Design
This event is for local entrepreneurs to meet and present their startups to the innovation community here in St. Louis. The presenter is Metis Analytics. (Virtual)
Create a Strong and Authentic Brand for Your Business | Missouri SBDC
Join UX expert Behrad Mirafshar as he discusses creating a shared language for tech, product, and design teams, improving user experience, and streamlining prototyping. And explore building scalable design systems in this talk, covering their importance, key elements, and steps to create one. (Virtual)
Digital Marketing Psychology | City of Austin Economic Development
Here you’ll explore GrowthWheel’s “Branding Opportunities” Framework in this event, focusing on four key areas: visual identity, physical appearance, tone of voice, and company values. (Virtual)
Social Media Tech Bootcamp Series in partnership with Sprinklr | AMA
This event looks at consumer behavior, brand loyalty, and subconscious decision-making. You’ll learn critical signals, hacks, and tactics to maximize sales by influencing emotions and cognitive shortcuts. (Virtual)
Events on May 4
May 4-7 // Greater St. Louis Book Fair 2023
This is the Midwest’s Largest Charity Book Fair. So head to Queeny Park to find everything from great deals to rare collectibles. (In-Person)
DevOps Onramp | Techstrong
This is a comprehensive event for newcomers and experienced professionals seeking to optimize their DevOps journey. Attendees will learn best practices, processes, tools, and tips from industry experts, covering basics, technology choices, challenges, and benefits to enhance agility and deliver high-quality software faster. (Virtual)
How to Get Listed on Google Search and Maps for Free | NY Public Library, Thomas Yoseloff Business Center
Join social media strategist Maggie Carey to learn how to optimize your Google Business Profile account. And discover how to connect with customers on Google Search and Maps, post multimedia, create offers, manage reviews, and avoid account suspension. (Virtual)
How to Utilize Ads to Launch a Product in One Week | Founder Institute
This webinar with expert Trevor Longino will show you how to launch a product in one week using ads. And discover the Pirate funnel framework, structuring Facebook ad campaigns, and optimizing future campaigns. (Virtual)
How AI and ChatGPT are Changing Travel — What That Means for Creators | Wanderfull
Here you explore the impact of AI on travel content creation in an insightful event featuring industry experts. And learn how to leverage AI tools, address challenges, and adapt to remain competitive. (Virtual)
Business Credit 101 | Heartland Black Chamber
This session will empower future entrepreneurs and business owners to understand and build business credit. You’ll learn about its importance, credit-building strategies, and leveraging it for financial growth and success. (Virtual)
Venture Cafe St. Louis | Serendipitous Collisions
Highlights include Community Connections, Share Your Adventure With Venture Café, Venture Café 101, and What Do YOU Think? (In-Person)
Bourbon and Blondes Whiskey Tasting at The Vandy | STLBarkeep
So snag a ticket to taste through 5 whiskeys with Bourbon & Blondes. All whiskeys have a female influence, and they are excited to share with you! (In-Person)
Events on May 5
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. That’s Cinco de Mayo, and it’s Derby weekend, so Cinco de Derby; not sure, but we’ll try to do something extra for everyone. (In-Person)
Events on May 6
Rose Day STL
A walking wine festival in the Central West End celebrating everyone’s favorite pink drink while raising awareness for nonprofits empowering women and girls. (In-Person)
Join us on Meetup or Tiktok
What’s got, you amped up for the next few days? Let us know in the comments section! We’re always looking for ways to improve the St. Louis Startup, Tech, and Marketing Ecosystem, so if you have any suggestions or ideas, we’d love to hear them.
Additionally, if you have an event or important date approaching, please don’t hesitate to email us at events@bourbonfriday.show.