Midspring energy is in full swing for the St. Louis entrepreneurial community the week of May 11-17, 2026. Tech innovators, startup founders, and marketing strategists have a packed calendar of events to explore. Our Founder, Erik Lutenegger, has pulled together this week’s lineup of events and opportunities focused on networking, business acceleration, learning, and connecting with peers.
ESO, Accelerator, and Funding Opportunities
Apply Now // Square One Ignite | Cortex
Built for idea-stage founders, this fast-paced four-week program helps entrepreneurs pressure-test their business ideas, validate assumptions, and start building a real path forward. Participants work through the business model canvas, connect with mentors, and plug into the local startup ecosystem as they prepare for next-stage growth opportunities. (Bootcamp)
Due May 18 // Verizon Small Business Super Pitch
A three-month, sector-agnostic accelerator is committed to advancing world-class startups from Japan and abroad, focused on emerging technologies across industries. Participants receive mentorship, funding, and access to a global network to scale their businesses. Applications are now open for Techstars Tokyo Accelerator. (Accelerator)
Due May 26 // Fast 50 2026 | St. Louis Business Journal
The region’s fastest-growing private companies are getting recognized. This annual ranking highlights high-growth businesses across the St. Louis area based on three-year revenue growth, giving standout companies major visibility through a special publication and live awards event.(Community Award)
Due June 7 // Inno Under 25 2026 | St. Louis Business Journal
St. Louis’s next generation of startup talent is getting recognized. This annual list spotlights founders, innovators, student entrepreneurs, and community builders under 25 who are already making an impact across the region’s tech and entrepreneurial ecosystem. (Community Award)
Due June 10 // Techstars Accelerators
This global network of three-month accelerator programs provides early-stage startups with seed capital, world-class mentorship, curated workshops, and access to a vast ecosystem of investors and alumni. Founders receive strategic resources, Demo Day exposure, and lifetime access to Techstars’ network. Applications are now open for: ABN AMRO + Future of Finance, AI Health Baltimore, Alabama EnergyTech, Anywhere, Boulder, Columbus Powered by The Ohio State University, Future of Food Powered by Ecolab, Healthcare Powered by Permanente Medicine Mid-Atlantic States, New York City, and Space. (Accelerator)
Startup, Tech, and Marketing Events
May 11
AI Visibility & SEO: How to create content that ranks | Digital Boost
Embark on a concise, hands-on exploration of AI visibility: discover how generative engines impact discoverability, learn to track where your brand appears or is absent, spot content opportunities in AI-driven data, and watch a real-time demonstration turning insights into content that aims to rank. (Virtual)
AI Industry Research | NY Public Library, Thomas Yoseloff Business Center
Understand practical methods for mining library databases to perform in-depth AI market analysis, access global facts and US consumer insights, find local and international AI associations, and build company lists using Reference Solutions, Gale Directory Online, and other specialized business platforms. (Virtual)
May 12
May 12-14 // Best of Next ’26 | Google Cloud
Enjoy a concise yet strategic tour of Next ’26’s top moments, from Gemini-powered agent platforms to data cloud and security enhancements. Sessions blend demos, customer stories, and expert analysis to help you prioritize investments and scale AI across business processes. (Virtual)
Build a magnetic brand: Turn clarity into marketing assets | Enterprise Nation
Unite theory and practice in a concise session led by Sydney Sam, who breaks down essential visual assets for founders, demonstrates Canva workflows for consistent brand kits and social templates, and shares actionable design shortcuts plus a free three-month Canva Pro offer for attendees. (Virtual)
AI SRE Summit 2026 | Komodor
Experience candid talks and demos from organizations using AI SRE to streamline incident workflows, eliminate repetitive tasks, and align reliability with cost optimization, offering concrete strategies and tools for scaling automated response and sustainable cloud efficiency across large environments. (Virtual)
Designing Your First eLearning Course from Scratch | Adobe
Walk through the fundamentals of designing an eLearning course from the ground up, covering instructional planning, content structure, interactive elements, and assessment design. Adobe specialists demonstrate practical workflows and tools to help newcomers build engaging, learner-focused courses with confidence. (Virtual)
Transformation in Global Agribusiness at Bunge | St. Louis AgriBusiness Club
Hear how Bunge is navigating transformation in global agribusiness, with leaders sharing perspectives on market shifts, operational changes, sustainability priorities, and strategic direction. The St. Louis AgriBusiness Club hosts the discussion at Bunge’s facility for an inside look at industry evolution. (In-Person | Bunge)
Topical Authority, Entity SEO, and Information Gain in the Age of AI Search | Semrush
Marvel at practical guidance from seasoned practitioners as they decode new AI search rules, demonstrate how to master topical authority, and use entity SEO to signal context and trust, supported by real case studies and measurable outcomes you can replicate. (Virtual)
Getting Found in AI Search: How to Improve Your AEO Visibility | HubSpot
Thrive by learning actionable ways to make current content more likely to appear in AI-driven results, including a walkthrough of AEO basics, diagnostic checks for brand visibility, and practical steps for monitoring and improving performance using HubSpot’s AEO features. (Virtual)
Secure the Advantage: A CISO’s Guide to Agentic AI | Anthropic
Kickstart your agent governance playbook with live demonstrations and a practitioner’s rubric for capability-versus-risk decisions. The session explores scoped permissions, egress control, telemetry routing, admin-paced rollouts, vendor vetting questions, peer patterns, and an open Q&A to refine implementation. (Virtual)
LinkedIn Marketing Essentials | SCORE
Master the fundamentals of LinkedIn marketing in this SCORE-hosted session, covering profile optimization, content strategy, networking techniques, and lead-generation approaches. Small business owners will gain practical guidance for building a professional presence, growing visibility, and connecting with the right prospects on the platform. (Virtual)
The Client Clarity Workshop | Freelancers Union
Discover a hands-on session designed to clarify who you’re best positioned to serve: create a detailed client profile, recognize symptoms that signal client readiness, and map the channels and trusted connections where these clients spend time, so you can show up strategically. (Virtual)
Stop Guessing: How to Use AI to Validate Your Startup Idea in Days | Founder Institute
Learn practical AI prompts and workflows in a recorded session led by Jonathan Greechan, exploring how to stress-test startup ideas, run customer research quickly, define an initial product without technical expertise, avoid common AI pitfalls, and generate meaningful market signals within days. (Virtual)
Greater STL AI Transformation Council Formation Meeting | STL AI Group
Elevate your perspective during an inaugural session that brings together executives and operators to identify high-impact AI opportunities, define success metrics, and craft accountability structures; participants will co-create priorities, exchange practical guidance, and plan next steps for real-world deployment. (In-Person | Microsoft Innovation Hub)
What actually earns AI search visibility | Webflow
Embrace an in-depth AMA session led by Lily Ray that dissects how AI engines evaluate content and signals, reveals common flaws in AEO playbooks, and delivers actionable guidance for building resilient visibility, with time reserved for live attendee questions and expert answers. (Virtual)
STL PetCare Innovation District Meetup (PetSTL) | T-REX
Take in an informative discussion on how in-home pet wearables, smart devices, and AI platforms are set to transform veterinary care, emphasizing proactive monitoring and early detection of health changes; the session spotlights entrepreneur-led solutions and practical implications for pet industry professionals. (In-Person | T-REX)
Crafting Your 30-Second Pitch | Techstars
Dive into interactive workshops that teach how to structure a compelling deck and draft an investment memo, refine a memorable 30-second introduction using a proven framework, then test your deck during live reviews with constructive, actionable feedback from Techstars managing directors and mentors. (Virtual)
Tech on Tap STL | TechSTL
Indulge in a relaxed, inclusive evening where more than three thousand community members come together to network, swap technical knowledge, and discuss entrepreneurship. Hosted monthly with provided dinner and a cash bar, the event fosters mentorship, hiring conversations, and collaborative opportunities. (In-Person | Schlafly Bottleworks)
Podcast & YouTube Creators: Using Canva & AI to Design High-Impact Visuals | Gearhart Law
Gain step-by-step workflows that combine ChatGPT-style prompts and Canva techniques to design high-impact YouTube thumbnails, cohesive channel banners, and standout podcast covers, plus guidance on common pitfalls, optimization for discovery, and ready-to-use templates and prompts you can apply every episode. (Virtual)
May 13
May 13-15 // AI for Business Live: 3-Day Virtual Workshop | Real Advisors / AIForBusiness.com
Appreciate a hands-on, three-day live online workshop where expert instructors break down AI tools, prompting, and marketing systems into actionable steps; participants learn lead generation, high-ticket sales techniques, social branding, virtual assistant training, and plug-and-play processes to implement immediately.
GeoAI That Works: Turning Geospatial AI Hype into Real ROI | NV5 Geospatial
Embark on a focused exploration of GeoAI applications that generate real returns, featuring a structured method for prioritizing AI initiatives, industry trend analysis, and side-by-side demos of raster and vector solutions. The event closes with a live Q&A to resolve attendee queries. (Virtual)
PitchSTL | Presenters: LC Sports Complex & Toss My Salad
Witness a lively, supportive pitch session where entrepreneurs share concise decks, receive 20 minutes of constructive Q&A from attendees, and continue conversations over networking. Presenters can apply to join, while the wider community can support through sponsorships, donations, or board involvement. (In-Person | Northside Economic Empowerment Center)
Cybersecurity, A.I. and Avoiding Scams for Seniors | Delmar DivINe
Transform your online habits in a concise, friendly workshop where specialists outline how to spot phishing and social media scams, introduce A.I. in plain terms, share prevention tactics tailored to seniors, host a Q&A session, and offer lunch for participants. (In-Person | Delmar DivINe)
Mentorship Matters: Growing Your GIS Career Through Connection | Esri
Celebrate an interactive webinar that presents practical strategies for finding and building both formal and informal mentor relationships, featuring personal stories, live audience engagement, and expert speakers who explain how mentorship fosters inclusion, leadership development, and clear next steps to advance careers. (Virtual)
Magazine Sneak Peek: What “Human or AI?” Looks Like in Practice | American Marketing Association
Indulge in a practitioner-led discussion that translates magazine insights into action: cleaning and trusting first-party data for AI, defining humane personalization, and implementing risk management practices that let teams experiment without permanent stalls. (Virtual)
Make Customer Communication Your Secret Weapon | Consumer Focus Marketing
Explore how thoughtful customer communication can become a competitive advantage, covering practical messaging frameworks, timing strategies, and channel choices. Consumer Focus Marketing shares techniques to deepen relationships, increase retention, and turn everyday interactions into meaningful brand-building moments. (Virtual)
Lunch & Learn with Trust Attorney Jasmine Chen | The GEOINT Hub @ T-REX
Applaud a focused presentation by Jasmine Chen, a trust attorney at UB Greensfelder, that walks attendees through legal tools to preserve ownership, establish control mechanisms, design succession pathways, and protect family interests, with clear examples and time for questions during the one-hour program. (In-Person | T-REX)
Link Building in the Age of AI Search: How To Build Links That Establish Legitimacy | Search Engine Land
Absorb a clear breakdown of contemporary link building from Michael Johnson, covering why algorithm-chasing strategies collapse under AI, which off-page factors signal legitimacy, and practical tactics to earn links that lead to recognition, citations, and meaningful organic visibility. (Virtual)
DOE Boost 2026 Information Session | FedTech
Network virtually with program leads to learn how Boost facilitates the commercialization of DOE innovations; the available pathways for solo entrepreneurs, founder teams, and existing companies; an overview of 2026 technology priorities such as grid resilience and geothermal; eligibility details; and award opportunities. (Virtual)
Inside AI Citation: Proven Strategies To Get Your Brand Cited | Search Engine Journal
Thrive by discovering actionable, practitioner-level techniques that connect AI retrieval mechanics to real content work: identify citation signals, build topical authority, and apply specific structural changes that increase the likelihood your content will be chosen and cited by AI systems. (Virtual)
Geosaurus Unleashed: Planted with Purpose: Reflections on a T-REX GeoSeed Project, From Early Seeds to Enduring Lessons. | T-REX
Engage in a concise presentation centered on ‘Planted with Purpose,’ as Tara Vansell outlines project milestones, lessons learned, and practical recommendations. The event encourages dialogue, offers refreshments at no cost, and fosters networking among geospatial practitioners and students. (In-Person)
Build Smarter Workflows with OpenClaw | Confluence Tech Hub
Immerse yourself in a friendly, two-hour session about using OpenClaw to turn ideas into automated workflows. With guidance from Gary Kellmann, expect demos, collaborative problem-solving, and lots of Q&A to help you streamline processes, scale solutions, and apply AI in daily work. (In-Person | OPO Startups)
Build & Protect: Small Business Protection & Opportunity Overview | Porscha Anderson
Join a focused, in-person session where the presenter outlines essential contract terms, trademark basics, and tax support options, then explores actionable ways to generate additional income. Participants gain practical checklists and strategies to protect their business and expand financial opportunities. (In-Person | CIC @ 20 S Sarah)
Digital Declutter Party | CreativeMornings
Savor a community-driven, practical session focused on results rather than theory, where participants play a quick archetype game, collaborate through a concentrated decluttering sprint, and depart with a tidier digital environment, clear steps to sustain order, and reduced stress. (Virtual)
May 14
314 Digital Presents: Mastering AI Video and Strategy
Ignite your understanding with a structured conversation that follows AI video from concept to campaign: panelists reveal how they pitch ideas, assemble pre-production plans, build and refine generative clips, and decide distribution tactics, offering tactical insights and real-world lessons on ethical use. (In-Person | Coolfire Studios)
Marketing for Nonprofits: Structuring Your Nonprofit Marketing Plan | Enterprise University
Applaud concise, expert-led sessions that combine focused lectures with real-world case studies across essential topics. Participants engage through Q&A, practical tools, and worksheets during a single, intensive 90-minute virtual meeting to improve decision-making and operational practices. (Virtual)
Prompt Engineering 101: Foundations for Better AI Results | Gartner
Build foundational prompt-engineering skills with guidance on crafting inputs that produce more accurate, useful AI outputs. The session covers core techniques, common pitfalls, structural patterns, and practical examples to help professionals get consistent, high-quality results from generative AI tools. (Virtual)
Building Products That Achieve Org Outcomes with AI & Human Experts | Product School
Cherish practical workshops and interactive panels that unpack how to structure cross-disciplinary collaboration between AI specialists and domain experts, establish clear outcome ownership, and create repeatable rituals to validate assumptions, de-risk launches, and scale product impact across the organization. (Virtual)
2026 State of AI for Business Report Webinar | SmarterX
Marvel at a comprehensive presentation of survey-backed insights that map AI readiness across functions, spotlight barriers to scaling, compare adoption by role and industry, and outline practical recommendations, followed by live discussion and audience Q&A with the research team. (Virtual)
Print Production: A New Growth Market for Robotics | Association for Advanced Automation
Examine how robotics is expanding into print production, an emerging growth market for automation. The session highlights industry drivers, operational use cases, integration considerations, and opportunities for vendors and manufacturers to capture value as robotics adoption accelerates across printing workflows. (Virtual)
Lunch & Learn: Credit as an Asset | Justine PETERSEN
Thrive in a focused in-person Lunch & Learn led by LaTrisha Gandy and Justine PETERSEN, where attendees will explore credit basics, learn step-by-step methods to establish and build credit, avoid common pitfalls, and discover ways to leverage credit for long-term financial growth. (In-Person | Elevator St. Louis)
Trusting AI in Production: Building Observability for AI Agents at Scale | Data Science Connect
Experience a practical roadmap for trusting AI in production, covering techniques to instrument agent workflows, capture meaningful telemetry, and automate diagnostics so teams can rapidly identify regressions, iterate safely, and sustain consistent, high-quality agent performance. (Virtual)
Congress, Compliance & Venture Capital: A Fund Manager’s Guide to the Shifting Policy Landscape | Carta
Navigate the shifting policy landscape facing venture capital fund managers, with guidance on congressional developments, regulatory compliance, and practical strategies for adapting fund operations. Carta experts walk through current legislative priorities and their implications for fundraising, reporting, and investor relations. (Virtual)
Cash Flow Strategies for Small Business Success | Start Small Think Big
Strengthen your financial foundation with practical cash flow management techniques tailored for small business owners, covering forecasting, expense control, working capital, and tools for maintaining healthy liquidity. Start Small Think Big leads attendees through actionable strategies to stabilize finances and support sustainable growth. (Virtual)
Founders Lounge Global
Connect with ambitious entrepreneurs and creators in a virtual lab focused on practical AI, covering model behavior, agentic systems, and integration strategies. Sessions emphasize discussion over lectures, hands-on insights, and peer feedback to help builders thoughtfully apply AI in real products and workflows. (In-Person | Spark Coworking St. Louis)
#theTABLE AfterHours | BTP BY ALISON
Enjoy a relaxed after-work gathering where business owners and leaders mingle in a casual, conversation-driven atmosphere. Hosts welcome open dialogue with no formal agenda or staged presentations, encouraging authentic connections, informal collaboration, and the opportunity to meet people who might become future partners or friends. (In-Person | Exit Elite Realty)
SheCan Global Circle | #SheCan Connect Global Network
Unveil new perspectives during a communal virtual meeting that combines leadership coaching, candid dialogue, and collaborative reflection, creating a safe environment for women to exchange insights, build supportive relationships, and leave motivated to pursue next steps in work and life. (Virtual)
May 15
Wavelength: Make It Usable | Filament
Network through interactive rounds that combine expert-led talks with small-group work, focusing on accessibility, task flows, and iterative testing; participants will practice usability heuristics, prototype solutions, and compare approaches to improve clarity and usefulness. (In-Person | Filament)
Content Marketing Friday Forum | MarketingProfs
Revel in practical sessions delivering concrete examples and frameworks: how to increase content credibility and accuracy, how to position your brand to influence AI-shaped buyer decisions, and how to rewrite content from the buyer’s perspective to boost conversions. (Virtual)
Bourbon Friday | Sponsored by Tenacity
Transform an ordinary Friday afternoon into a productive networking session with curated bourbon samples, small-group conversations about entrepreneurship, and ample mingling, offering a friendly environment to share lessons learned, forge new relationships, and unwind with like-minded professionals. (In-Person | Techartista CWE)
Taste of Maplewood Street Festival
Soak up the flavor of the neighborhood as chefs, boutiques, and specialty vendors serve up tasting portions, demonstrations, and unique merchandise, starting with an evening preview and culminating on Saturday in a full-day festival featuring performances on two stages. (In-Person | Sutton Blvd)
May 16
May 16-17 // STL Canna Expo | STL Home Growers
Unite with industry leaders and enthusiasts to explore curated products, discover exclusive deals, and attend expert seminars to sharpen your canna knowledge. Enjoy live performances, food vendors, and a competitive Canna Cup. (In-Person)
May 17
St. Louis Code & Coffee
Venture into an informal tech gathering that balances focused work and community building: quick intro rounds, organizer bullets about jobs and events, self-directed collaboration or solo coding, and a potential member-led workshop to deepen skills before closing. (In-Person | TechArtista CWE)
Join us on Meetup or Tiktok.
What opportunities are calling your name this week? Let us know in the comments! We’re constantly looking for ways to elevate the St. Louis Startup, Tech, and Marketing Ecosystem. For event announcements or key dates, reach out at [email protected].
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