Wednesday, November 12 at City Foundry STL
STL Startup Week will bring its Culture & Commerce Day to City Foundry on Wednesday, November 12, transforming the property into a day-long hub for collaboration, conversation, and creativity.
Explore the full lineup of sessions, speakers, and activities.
Register for the week and add your VIP access.
Presented in partnership with Greater St. Louis, Inc. and New + Found, the event celebrates St. Louis’s expanding creative economy and the businesses that drive it. The day is designed for professionals working in fields such as real estate development, architecture, design, hospitality, entertainment, and the arts—industries that are central to the region’s culture and growth.
“When people hear ‘Startup Week,’ they often think about tech,” said Matt Menietti, Lead Organizer of STL Startup Week. “Culture & Commerce Day is a reminder that entrepreneurship looks different across industries, and St. Louis’s creative leaders are every bit as innovative and crucial to our economy as coders and engineers.”
A Day of Inspiration, Connection, and Collaboration
Programming will unfold across Puttshack, Alamo Drafthouse, and 18 Rails, featuring local founders and leaders sharing insights on growth and the intersection of artistry and enterprise.
Featured sessions include:
8:00–9:00 a.m.
The Business of Experience: A Coffee Talk on Retail, CPG, Hospitality, and Creative Entrepreneurship
@ VIP Lounge (Puttshack – VIP ticket required), Will Smith, President, New + Found
9:30–10:30 a.m.
From Five to Fifty: Scaling Your Engineering Team Without Tanking Culture or Velocity
18Rails @ City Foundry, Tom Holt, Principal Consultant, OtterWorks Consulting
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
HR Without the BS: Building a Scalable People Strategy
18Rails @ City Foundry, Ryan Shapiro, President and Founder, peomg
1:00–2:00 p.m.
Pour Into You: Building Your Brand & Business with Intention
18Rails @ City Foundry, Joí Riley, Founder, J.R. Candle Company
2:30–3:30 p.m.
From Booth to Brick and Mortar: Scaling Sideways Then Up
18Rails @ City Foundry, Moderator: Carrie Scherr, Director of Hospitality and Operations, Filament
Panelists: Madeline Hissong (Damn Fine Pies), Ryan MacDonald (Farmspirit), Nick Williams (Nicky Slices), Sophie Moss (Sugarwich)
4:00–4:30 p.m.
Creating Spaces that Inspire Commerce and Connection
18Rails @ City Foundry, Steve Smith, FAIA, Co-founder & CEO, Lawrence Group; Founder, New + Found
4:30 p.m.
Tour of The Foundry and One Foundry Way (advance sign-up required; limited availabilityLed by Will Smith, President, New + Found
4:30 p.m.
Happy Hour
Puttshack @ City Foundry
Elevate Your Experience in the VIP Lounge
For those planning to stay all day, the Puttshack VIP Lounge offers a more immersive experience. Open 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., the lounge includes breakfast and coffee, a lunch buffet, a happy-hour beverage, free mini-golf, and an official STLSW shirt—all in a dedicated coworking and networking space overlooking City Foundry.
“City Foundry has abundant opportunities for team building, making it the perfect platform for spending time together and getting to know each other as human beings and creatives,” said Will Smith, President of New + Found.
Make It a Team Day
City Foundry encourages companies to make Culture & Commerce Day a team outing or end-of-year retreat. Group experiences are available across the property, including Museum of Illusions, The Great Game Show, The Escape Game, Alamo Drafthouse, and Puttshack. Teams can pre-purchase lunch wristbands for the Food Hall and explore discounts and giveaways through the STL Startup Week Passport.
“The growth of St. Louis depends on creatives and entrepreneurs,” said Lakesha Mathis, Vice President, Strategy (SupplySTL) at Greater St. Louis, Inc. “By offering them support, space, and opportunities, we help them thrive—and create the jobs and economic growth that move the region forward.”
Join Us
Culture & Commerce Day at City Foundry is free and open to the public.
Puttashack VIP Lounge tickets are $125 and include breakfast, lunch, a happy-hour drink, networking, unlimited golf, and an official STLSW shirt.
Explore the full lineup of sessions, speakers, and activities.
Register for the week and add your VIP access.
Questions about the event? Email Matt Menietti, Lead Organizer, STL Startup Week at matt@techartistafoundation.org.
Already Registered? Here’s How to Add the VIP Lounge
Existing STLSW registrants who’d like to upgrade can simply return to their original confirmation email and click “Add to your order.” After logging back into your account, you’ll be able to pay for any additional ticket add-ons, such as the Puttshack VIP Lounge.
