St. Louis professionals, your week just got more interesting! Entrepreneurs, tech innovators, and marketing experts have many opportunities waiting for October 20-26, 2025. Our Founder, Erik Lutenegger, has assembled this week’s essential guide to networking events, skill-building workshops, and business resources that will accelerate your success.
ESO, Accelerator, and Funding Opportunities
Applications Open // TechSTL Mentoring Program
These two mentoring programs support St. Louis’s tech and startup community. One connects professionals with experienced mentors for career development, while the other pairs startup founders with seasoned entrepreneurs in a cohort model to accelerate business growth and foster innovation across the region. Applications are required for both tracks. (Mentorship)
Due November 4 // IDEA Fund | Missouri Technology Corporation
The IDEA Fund makes direct equity-based investments in Missouri’s most promising emerging companies to promote growth and encourage additional future investment. They have 4 programs: Proof of Concept for early-stage entrepreneurs, the TechLaunch for pre-seed, Seed Capital for the Seed stage, and the Venture Capital Program, which supports technology startups through matching equity or convertible debt investments up to $2,000,000. (Funding)
Due November 19 // TechStars Accelerator
This global network of three-month accelerator programs supports early-stage startups with seed capital, world-class mentorship, curated workshops, and access to a vast investor and alumni ecosystem. Founders receive strategic resources, Demo Day exposure, and lifetime access to Techstars’ network. Applications are now open for: Northwestern Medicine & Techstars Healthcare, AI Health Baltimore, Anywhere, London, and New York City. (Accelerator).
Startup, Tech, and Marketing Events
October 20
Startup Language Essentials: Understanding Investment & Financial Terms | UM Ventures
Join an informative workshop that simplifies the complex language of startup finance. It covers crucial topics like SAFE agreements, burn rate, EBITDA, and term sheets, helping early entrepreneurs understand and engage in meaningful financial conversations with clarity. (Virtual)
Supercharge Your Growth Strategy with AI | Amplitude Director of PM, Growth | Product School
Savor a concise yet powerful online session on supercharging growth efforts using AI tools. Engage with expert guidance on optimizing prompt creation, building prototypes swiftly, and leveraging pattern detection for competitive advantage. (Virtual)
Heru Harvest Happy Hour | 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis
Appreciate a unique gathering that supports food justice as guests enjoy locally grown produce featured in gourmet appetizers while connecting with advocates working to foster healthier neighborhoods through urban farms. (In-Person | 21c Museum Hotel St Louis)
October 21
Strategy Lab October 2025: Client Attraction Categories | Connect Video
Witness an insightful event that unpacks the power of focused marketing through defining 3-5 key Client Attraction Categories. Walk away with practical frameworks, content ideas, video scripts, and a monthly posting plan for repeatable success in client engagement. (In-Person | La Quinta Inn Maryland Heights)
SBDC St. Louis Business Showcase & Resource Fair | Missouri SBDC
Unite entrepreneurs, innovators, and community partners in a dynamic setting where resources, visibility, and connections converge to empower small business growth. This inaugural fair offers a platform to explore collaborative opportunities and access the tools needed for impactful development in St. Louis. (In-Person | T-REX)
Building Local Economies That Attract Venture Capital | Founder Institue
Embrace an honest conversation addressing the gaps in current economic development efforts. Learn how targeted approaches towards startups and investors can rebuild ecosystems that genuinely attract venture capital and drive inclusive growth. (Virtual)
Vibe Coding 101 | General Assembly
Engage in an interactive online session that demystifies vibe coding using modern AI tools like Large Language Models. Perfect for those new to programming wanting to build apps quickly while mastering key concepts such as API integration and effective prompt use. (Virtual)
Building Generative Video Agents with Google ADK, Veo 3, and Nano Banana | OSDC
Connect with emerging technologies by exploring Google’s ADK, Veo 3, and Nano Banana tools for producing advanced generative video content. Gain insights on building AI agents that handle everything from 3D modeling to full cinematic experiences. (Virtual)
Startup Taxes 101: Tax Essentials for Every Founder | Carta
Embark on a brief yet essential journey highlighting the importance of enabling JavaScript and cookies. Attendees will learn how these components enhance web experience and facilitate uninterrupted digital interactions. (Virtual)
The Privacy-First Approach to Campaign Planning, Execution, and Performance | MarTech
Discover expert insights on embedding privacy into every phase of marketing campaigns without sacrificing agility. Learn strategies for compliant data use, optimizing acquisition tactics, and proving ROI to stakeholders in this engaging webinar hosted by OneTrust leaders. (Virtual)
Python + AI: Tool calling | Microsoft Reactor
Kickstart your journey into safe AI deployment using Python and Azure tools. This event showcases practical methods for configuring AI safety systems and evaluating the reliability of outputs from large language models in real-time coding demonstrations. (Virtual)
The Dark Side of AI No One Talks About | Moz
Transform your SEO approach by learning about the darker sides of AI integration, including ethical dilemmas and potential damage, while discovering ways to monitor and enhance your site’s performance through advanced analysis. (Virtual)
The Newsletter Growth Summit | Network After Work
Venture into an immersive summit packed with actionable guidance on growing your newsletter beyond traditional social media limits by mastering list building, leveraging paid ads, securing sponsorships, and maximizing revenue potential. (Virtual)
Disaster Preparation for Freelancers and Small Business Owners | Freelancers Union
Marvel at expert guidance on creating effective emergency plans that cover personal readiness, communication methods, and safeguarding critical information for freelancers and small business enterprises. (Virtual)
The Freelancer’s Survival Guide: Pricing, Pitching & Getting Paid | CreativeMornings
Kick off your journey towards confident freelancing with expert-led insights into rate setting, effective self-presentation, and payment negotiations. Benefit from practical exercises and examples that help you establish professional boundaries and get paid what you deserve. (Virtual)
Introverted Women Entrepreneurs & Professionals Connecting | Building Her Dream
Soak up the chance to connect authentically with like-minded introverted women entrepreneurs through guided small-group dialogues that enable honest conversations without the pressure of traditional networking, empowering you to feel energized and supported. (Virtual)
October 22
October 22-23 // Growth Unlocked: The Summit | Judge.me Reviews
Enjoy expert-led sessions covering everything from building a best-in-class ecommerce brand to leveraging social selling platforms like TikTok Shop. Get actionable advice on SEO changes, loyalty automation after Black Friday, and the future vision of Judge.me. (Virtual)
Building agents with Anthropic’s Claude on Vertex AI | Google Cloud
Attend this detailed session that dives into creating advanced agents using Anthropic’s Claude atop Vertex AI, highlighting integration processes and real-world use cases for enhanced artificial intelligence functionalities. (Virtual)
How to Start as a Solo Entrepreneur | Digital Boost
Dive into the world of solo entrepreneurship through this engaging virtual event. Receive detailed guidance on the vital aspects of starting your own business, supported by Digital Boost’s free mentoring service and expertise. (Virtual)
CRISPR Virtual Event Series 2025 | Labroots
Unite with leading researchers and industry professionals to explore the expanding possibilities of CRISPR technology in therapeutic development, advanced detection methods, and genome engineering. Topics include CAR T-cell therapies, anti-CRISPR proteins, and DNA data storage solutions. (Virtual)
PitchSTL | Presenters: MODLR
Experience vibrant startup networking with a unique combination of presentations and interactive Q&A sessions every Wednesday morning at Cortex, helping entrepreneurs refine their pitches and build meaningful connections. (In-Person | Cortex’s Square One)
STL Insight Breakfast: 2026 Cybersecurity Threat Outlook | TechSTL
Partake in a dynamic morning featuring a keynote on future cybersecurity trends driven by AI, followed by an insightful panel addressing threats to finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and more, alongside strategies essential for safeguarding St. Louis’s digital future. (In-Person | Husch Blackwell)
Mastering the Fundamentals: Essential Skills for Succeeding in Technical Roles | Gartner
Unveil potential event offerings by configuring your browser appropriately, ensuring JavaScript and cookies are enabled for full engagement with the content. (Virtual)
For Better and for Worse: How Behavioral Biases Impact Decision-Making | Enterprise University
Explore a series of expertly developed virtual classes lasting 90 minutes each, offering tools and strategies to help grow your business savvy. Enterprise University’s programs provide accessible opportunities to learn and develop vital professional skills from anywhere. (Virtual)
Cybersecurity Best Practices for Entrepreneurs | Tulane Innovation Institute
Participate in free expert-led webinars addressing the critical components for startup success, including cybersecurity measures, venture funding basics, marketing strategies, and intellectual property management, nurturing local innovation. (Virtual)
Stop Guessing, Start Knowing: A Blueprint for Content Testing Maturity | UserTesting
Gain hands-on experience in this interactive session to help marketing professionals assess their current content maturity. Discover how to implement quick feedback mechanisms, avoid wasted resources, and harness data-driven insights for more confident campaigns. (Virtual)
M/WBE Mentors: From Certified to Contracted-Real Talk on Winning Govt Work | NYC Department of Small Business Services
Ignite your path from M/WBE certification to contracted success by joining discussions led by accomplished entrepreneurs. Gain essential skills for engaging city agencies, positioning your business strategically, and avoiding common pitfalls in government procurement markets tailored for non-construction goods and services firms. (Virtual)
The Public Sector AI Security Playbook: Securing AI End-to-End | Government Technology & Netskope
Understand the framework for end-to-end AI security tailored for state and local agencies. Learn about visibility into hidden AI usage, user contextual protections, and proactive risk management to enable safe innovation. (Virtual)
Lunchtime Live | Food Trucks: CluckOinkMooSliders, Street Chef, Tuk Tuk Thai
Take in the lively ambiance of downtown during Lunchtime Live, a weekday event featuring rotating food trucks serving eclectic dishes and live entertainment at Kiener Plaza and Old Post Office Plaza throughout spring to autumn. (In-Person | Old Post Office Plaza)
Transform Your Business with AI- The Power of Prompt Engineering | University of Houston Texas Gulf Coast SBDC Network
Uncover the fundamentals and advanced strategies of prompt engineering during this live event tailored for non-technical business owners seeking practical ways to implement AI effectively within their ventures. (Virtual)
Strictly Social | T-REX
Enhance your social connections at this monthly happy hour, where a local influencer takes over as VIP bartender, serving drinks and sparking conversations in a relaxed atmosphere without formal presentations or agendas. (In-Person | T-REX 5th Floor)
Breaking Barriers: Starting Your Business with Zero Capital | WEPOWER
Celebrate the spirit of entrepreneurship at this unique event, highlighting effective ways to turn ideas into profitable businesses without financial backing, encouraging perseverance and creativity from day one. (In-Person | CIC @ CET)
Fall 2025 Skandalaris Venture Competition Semifinals | Skandalaris Center
Revel in an engaging gathering where promising ventures compete in WashU’s semifinals, presenting their ideas developed through expert mentorship. Witness key announcements determining which startups will advance toward victory in this celebrated competition. (In-Person | Crowder Courtyard @ Wash U)
October 23
AWS Innovate: Migrate and Modernize Edition | Amazon Web Services
Explore strategic cloud migration and modernization with practical insights from AWS experts, customer success stories, and hands-on demos highlighting AI-driven enterprise transformation and workload optimization across various industries and technical levels. (Virtual)
Introduction to Lean Startup | Business & IP Centre Liverpool City Region
Immerse yourself in an introductory webinar illustrating how applying Lean Startup principles can empower business founders to develop meaningful products without heavy reliance on elaborate plans or extensive outside funding. (Virtual)
Trademark Basics – Protecting Your Business Identity | Missouri Women’s Business Center
Kickstart your journey toward effective brand protection with this concise live workshop covering all you need to know about trademarks. Learn from experienced facilitators about registration intricacies and how the University of Missouri can assist small business legal needs. (Virtual)
2025 Multicultural Job Fair | Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan St. Louis
Ignite your employment prospects by meeting top companies looking for highly proficient candidates from all backgrounds. This event emphasizes bilingual skills and expertise across in-demand fields like construction, finance, customer service, and logistics within a vibrant St. Louis hub. (In-Person | St. Louis International Airport)
10 Tips for Becoming an AI-First B2B Marketer | MarketingProfs
Take part in a session led by Al Lalani focusing on transforming your marketing approach through AI. Discover methods for integrating AI-driven workflows that boost efficiency while maintaining brand safety and personalized customer experiences. (Virtual)
2025 St. Louis Blues Sports & Entertainment Career Fair | TeamWork Online
Celebrate your passion for sports by joining a career fair featuring premier professional and college sports organizations. Network with senior executives, explore job opportunities across major teams, and gain exclusive access to a live St. Louis Blues hockey game. (In-Person | Enterprise Center)
Innovators Hour with Bond Biosciences | Biogenerator Ventures
Partake in monthly gatherings tailored for bioscience entrepreneurs seeking knowledge and connection. Each session presents candid discussions with founders about overcoming challenges and advancing novel solutions, enriched by opportunities for engagement within St. Louis’s innovative biotech scene. (In-Person | BioSTL)
AI for Entrepreneurs: Marketing, Efficiency & Growth | The Wedge
Connect with fellow entrepreneurs at this engaging event showcasing AI tools that streamline operations while driving marketing innovation and intelligent decision-making. Practical exercises with personal devices provide participants with direct experience applying AI solutions to their ventures. (In-Person | The Wedge)
Founders Lounge Global | Powered by Metis Analytics
Entrepreneurs are invited to spend an evening building connections, sharing experiences, and gaining valuable insights. The event encourages networking, opens the door to new collaborations, and features inspiring talks from accomplished business leaders. (In-Person | Spark Coworking St. Louis)
Social Thursdays | KRe8 Spaces
Unveil the joy of connecting with others at Social Club Thursdays, where relaxation meets social interaction. This event offers a lively atmosphere to unwind, have fun, and build meaningful relationships during your week. (In-Person | The KRe8 Place)
October 24
Community Bazaar | International Institute of St. Louis
Discover a unique gathering that fosters community ties by sharing meals and providing valuable resource links. This no-cost bazaar highlights immigrant entrepreneurship alongside cultural appreciation in a friendly, accessible setting. (In-Person | International Institute of St. Louis)
Bourbon Friday // Networking & Bourbon Tasting
Attend a lively event designed for startups and business enthusiasts to mingle over thoughtfully selected bourbons, fostering connections through shared experiences and spirited conversations in a welcoming environment. (In-Person | TechArtista CWE)
GRIT Gala & Awards | Jennifer Bardot, G.R.I.T Founder
Unite with a vibrant community for an inspiring night where selected authors present their stories and accomplishments, culminating in celebrating grit through special awards. (In-Person | River City Casino Hotel)
October 25
SQL Saturday St. Louis
Revel in a collaborative environment offering sessions on diagnosing slow reports, optimizing SQL Server settings, using dbatools with PowerShell, and exploring new developer APIs. Benefit from knowledge sharing with experts across various domains of data technology. (In-Person | Microsoft Innovation Hub)
BoldHER Women’s Power Summit | Un- Siloed | #SheCan Connect Global Network
Celebrate the energy of a bold community gathering dedicated to supporting women’s leadership development. Highlights include interactive work sessions, creative flow activities, AI-driven decision support, and a closing celebration with peers. (In-Person | HSSU – The Center of Innovation & Entrepreneurship)
Is This a Good Business Idea? | LSMB Business Solutions
Embark on a journey to determine if your business idea is viable with expert insights and ideation techniques offered by The Business Plugâ„¢ during this interactive online session designed for early-stage entrepreneurs. (Virtual)
LaunchCode Community October 2025 Meetup | LaunchCode Headquarters
Network with aspiring developers and seasoned members at this in-person event hosted by LaunchCode. Spend the afternoon making valuable connections and exploring collaborative possibilities within the tech community. (In-Person | Launchcode HQ)
October 26
St. Louis Code & Coffee
Celebrate a productive Sunday by joining techies for a working session filled with creativity and conversation. Share your skills, find inspiration, and develop relationships in a friendly setting surrounded by fellow people passionate about tech. (In-Person | TechArtista UCity)
tornado response resources
For those affected by the storm, St. Louis is coming together to provide much needed resources. Here are few and ways to find even more.
Tornado Recovery Information | City of St. Louis
The main resource center for the region that provides links to city services, utilities, volunteering, donations, and more.City of St. Louis Tornado Response Fund
This fund supports the City of St. Louis’ efforts to provide immediate relief and long-term rebuilding of areas impacted by the tornado. This fund will be supported by charitable dollars only.Volunteer for Storm Recovery | Action St. Louis
Volunteers are needed to help sort and distribute items to individuals affected by the storm. Volunteers will also help with debris removal.Preliminary Business Assessment | SLDC
This survey will be used to determine the extent of the damage done in the business community in order to determine solutions and needs going forward.WeBuild Initiative | TechSTL
This is a rapid-response effort to connect volunteer tech talent to support the work addressing urgent community needs after the recent tornadoes. Get support or volunteer.Free Coworking | TechartistA, Spark Coworking, and ThriveCo
If you are someone you know was impacted by the storm, free cowork available at the TA UCity & Downtown, Spark St. Louis, and ThriveCo Locations Locations. No Signup Necessary.
Please stay safe. help if can, when you can. Together, we will rebuild and emerge stronger than before.
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What’s the highlight of your week going to be? We’re also curious about what the St. Louis Startup, Tech, and Marketing Ecosystem needs to thrive. Share your thoughts in the comments! If you have an event or important date to promote, email us at [email protected].
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