Stl
Startup
Week:
videos

Save the dates: SEPTEMBER 18-22, 2023

What is stl startup week?

A week of entrepreneurial events developing, connecting, & celebrating St. LOuis’s startup ecosystem.

Built by the community for the community, STL Startup Week is a five-day celebration and elevation of all things entrepreneurship in the St. Louis region. Featuring talks, panel discussions, workshops, networking events and more, STL Startup Week (STLSWK) has inspired hundreds of individuals to discover their potential as entrepreneurs, innovators, and change-makers.

The St. Louis entrepreneurship scene has an energy 20 years in the making. 

Come engage and connect with thousands of people from the St. Louis startup community at this celebration of all things entrepreneurial and uniquely St. Louis.

Looking for more information about getting involved? Interested in submitting a Community Event to the calendar of events? Contact Matt Menietti at matt@techartistafoundation.org

Quick fact:

St. Louis' rank* in the Forbes top 10 list of rising cities for startups:

2 of 10

*Forbes

Meet the team

STL Startup Week is produced by a dedicated volunteer coalition comprised of leaders, entrepreneurs, and community organizers.

Speaker Co-Chair

Ben Molina

Entrepreneurship Program Manager, Cortex

Ben Molina serves as Entrepreneurship Program Manager at Cortex with a mission to deliver high-quality entrepreneurship support through an inclusive, holistic, and empathetic lens. Ben is responsible for managing entrepreneurship talent training programs and partnerships to elevate the diverse entrepreneurial talent in the St. Louis region. Ben’s leadership and passion for supporting the St. Louis region are exemplified through his Board leadership with Social Work Leaders in Healthcare of Metro St. Louis and the Hispanic Leaders Group. Ben holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and a Master of Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis.

Organizing Committee Member

Christopher Holt

Founder of TechArtista & the TechArtista Foundation

Christopher Holt is a serial entrepreneur based in St. Louis, Missouri, with roots in Hong Kong. Christopher is perhaps best known for TechArtista, a diverse ecosystem of coworking spaces throughout St. Louis that caters to creatives, business types, and non-profit professionals. In addition to TechArtista, Christopher has played a key role in leading St. Louis Startup Week, an annual event that brings together entrepreneurs, investors, and community leaders to celebrate the city’s startup ecosystem. He is also the owner of Trust, one of St. Louis’ best cocktail bars, which has earned a reputation for its innovative drinks and unique atmosphere. With his extensive experience in entrepreneurship and commitment to helping others succeed, Christopher is a valuable asset to the St. Louis business community. He is passionate about empowering others to pursue their dreams and looks forward to continuing to make a positive impact on the region’s startup ecosystem.

Organizing Committee Member

Edwin Williams

Founder/CEO, ZenHammer

Edwin is the founder and CEO of ZenHammer, a platform that provides real-time data tracking on construction sites to construction companies and their trades. Edwin also sits on the National Association of Homebuilders Business Management and Information Technology (BMIT) committee as well as several NAHB subcommittees and is a strong advocate for the construction community. He is out to change the world, one person and one idea at a time.

Organizing Committee Member

Hayley Johnston

Program Manager, Entrepreneurship - Chaifetz Center for Entrepreneurship at SLU

Hayley has been immersed in the St. Louis Innovation Ecosystem since 2017 working for and with several Entrepreneur Support Organizations, Corporations, and Universities. Having the experience of starting several businesses herself and growing up with entrepreneurial parents she understands first-hand what is needed to grow and succeed when launching a new venture. Additionally, she helped establish a nonprofit dog park in her neighborhood and now serves on their board. She has a passion for growing the St. Louis economy by supporting entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Co-Marketing Chair

Holly Reardon

Entrepreneur, Marketing Strategist

I help established business owners by creating marketing strategies that foster business growth and position them as industry thought leaders. By supporting small businesses—the backbone of our country—I can help them leave a legacy of success and make a positive impact on the world. I really love what I do and the people I do it for!

Organizing Committee Member

KeAnna Daniels

Entrepreneur

KeAnna M. Daniels is a Serial Entrepreneur, Change Agent, Super Connector, Ecosystem Builder, and a Servant Leader in her communities. She is also a Macro Social Worker with an emphasis on social and economic development, entrepreneurial ecosystem building, convening and connecting; and creative, engaging, and inclusive facilitation. She has a strong commitment to entrepreneurship and innovation, diversity, equity, and inclusion, providing equal access to opportunity, and curating safe spaces. She is a visionary who executes.

Technology Chair

Kim Oswalt

Digital Product Designer

Designer, writer, and illustrator with eight years of experience in higher education, nonprofits, startups, and SaaS. Kim helps organizations better connect with their communities through practical, intuitive, user-centered design. She's also a (now deeply-rooted) St. Louis transplant who loves everything our city has to offer, from the incredible theater and arts scene to the greenways, restaurants, community programs, and—of course—the amazing startup ecosystem.

Logistics Chair

Maggie Schrock

Operations and People Advisor

Maggie has worked with various early to mid-stage startups over the past seven years ensuring operations, people, and culture functions closely align with the business strategy. She's worked with US-based and global startups in the digital health, SaaS and tech space.

Lead Organizer

Matt Menietti

TechArtista Foundation

Matt currently serves as the Interim Executive Director for the TechArtista Foundation and the Lead Organizer for STL Startup Week. Over the course of his career, Matt has held numerous leadership roles in the Greater St. Louis startup and nonprofit community, spanning the venture capital, tech, economic development, and nonprofit sectors. He is an avid champion, advocate and community builder for the St. Louis startup community, having organized dozens of hackathons, meetups, and events. Matt has founded and helped found several social enterprise and service-based companies which include: GoodMap, (online resource sharing tool for nonprofits and grantmakers), Roam Travel Co. (boutique adventure travel planning company) and MRM Consulting. In his *limited* free time, Matt enjoys hiking, travel, photography, gardening, cooking, piano, pop culture, and DIY projects.

Organizing Committee Member

Mike LaBozzetta

Attorney

I have a solo law practice that focuses on transactional work and outside general counsel services for small- and mid-sized businesses and nonprofits. Outside of work, I love to travel with my wife, Jessica and shoot photography. When I'm not working or on vacation, I'm probably out exploring St. Louis.

Organizing Committee Member

Scott Levine

Managing Partner, AEGIS Law

Scott, a seasoned attorney and entrepreneur, excels in legal and business matters as the founder and managing partner of AEGIS Law. His firm, now boasting nearly 40 attorneys across multiple cities, provides exceptional legal services with a focus on long-term client success in areas such as corporate law, securities, finance, and mergers and acquisitions. As the co-founder of iSelect Fund, Scott is dedicated to supporting innovative entrepreneurs, making a positive impact on the world, and fostering strong relationships with investors. His unique perspective from entrepreneurial and investment experiences informs his work at AEGIS Law, allowing him to guide clients through challenges and opportunities in a rapidly changing marketplace

Speaker Co-Chair

Stephen Von Rump

CEO and Founder, Aegis Digital Health

Stephen Von Rump is CEO and Founder of Aegis Digital Health, a health care technology company developing solutions in virtual care and remote patient monitoring. He is a three-time founder, five-time CEO, and a veteran of five M&As. Stephen also serves as an Entrepreneur in Residence at BioGenerator in St. Louis, a mentor at Washington University and a panelist at the National Science Foundation.

View the full schedule.

The schedule is constantly being updated. Please check back frequently to make sure you don’t miss out!

view the schedule