UMSL Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center

Looking for funding to accelerate your startup’s growth?

Missouri Technology Corporation is now accepting applications for the October 2026 IDEA Fund Award Cycle. The latest round includes increased maximum investment amounts, helping early-stage Missouri companies access more capital as they scale.

Applications are open now through August 4, 2026.

Learn more and apply at https://lnkd.in/gcBxAGfv

A big win for Missouri’s startup ecosystem. 👏

Congratulations to the entrepreneurs, investors, advocates, and community leaders whose efforts helped advance Missouri’s new Angel Investor Tax Credit and Innovation District legislation.

This legislation will help increase access to early-stage capital, support startup growth, attract investment, and strengthen innovation-driven economic development across the state.

We look forward to seeing the impact this creates for founders, innovators, and communities throughout Missouri.

https://startlandnews.com/2026/05/missouri-angel-investor-tax-credit/

Big news for Missouri entrepreneurship 👏

Redbud VC recently raised a $25 million fund focused on supporting “outsider founders” and expanding opportunities for emerging entrepreneurs across the region.

We love seeing innovation and founder-first support continue to grow in Missouri.

Read more: https://www.missouribusinessalert.com/entrepreneurs/with-diversified-missouri-backing-columbias-redbud-vc-raises-25-million-fund/article_b1292b67-c2f6-4ad9-834e-650ba8937adc.html

Congratulations to Ethan Wallace on an incredible achievement!

Ethan earned 2nd place and a $10,000 prize at the Regnier Venture Creation Challenge for his Monofilament Recycler, an innovative solution designed to tackle fishing line waste and sustainability challenges.

We love seeing UMSL students turn big ideas into real-world impact and represent the entrepreneurial spirit of our community so well.

Join us in congratulating Ethan on this exciting milestone 🚀

Read more with the link in our bio!

Months of building. One big stage.

Founders from the Anchor Accelerator showcased their businesses during Demo Day, sharing the ideas, growth and momentum they’ve developed throughout the program.

From early concepts to scalable ventures, the future of entrepreneurship at UMSL is looking bright 🚀

Read more link in bio 🗞️🚨

Our 2026 Cohort Graduation is tomorrow! This celebration would not be possible without the support of our fantastic sponsors who have helped create an evening of celebration and recognition to this year’s cohort.

MDMC is two days away! ✌️ ‼️

Join UMSL EIC on April 30 at UMSL for a full day of conversations focused on building and scaling. From early-stage founders to the leaders shaping the St. Louis startup ecosystem.

The entrepreneurship track includes sessions with Brett Arndt, Mark Tipton, Jonathan Herrick, and ecosystem leaders Joe Ivancic, Frank Hopper, Emily Hemingway, and David Skrzypiec, along with Demo Day featuring EIC founders.

If you’re planning to attend, now is the time to register.
Grab tix today at bestmarketingconference.com/register 👈 🎟️

UMSL EIC is hosting a full day of entrepreneurship programming at the Midwest Digital Marketing Conference on April 30 at UMSL.

The day includes Demo Day and two featured panels. One focused on founder journeys, and another on the broader startup ecosystem. Hear from founders and regional leaders including Joe Ivancic (CIC), Frank Hopper (Arch Grants), Emily Hemingway (TechSTL), and Phyllis Ellison (Greater St. Louis Inc.)  as they discuss how innovation is being built and supported across St. Louis.

Tickets: bestmarketingconference.com/register

Demo Day 2026 continues with a lineup of founders building bold businesses across St. Louis and beyond.

This group includes Luke Lieb of Unique Visions, LLC, offering custom window film solutions for residential and commercial spaces; Jaee Blue of VBA (Venture Beyond Aspirations), supporting entrepreneurs in building structured, scalable businesses; and Mona of ASL Aspire, expanding access to STEM education for Deaf and hard of hearing learners.

Also presenting are Kenneth Eversole of OpCompanionAi; Anthony Ezeokoye of Raknida; Doug Wulff of Timebolt; Adam Collins of Bearded Board Games.

Don’t miss out and join us at Demo Day 2026 and support the founders!