Capital Innovators Launches StartUp St. Louis

June 29, 2011

Capital Innovators Launches StartUp St. Louis, a Tech Fund Accelerator Program Aimed at Kick-Starting Growth of Technology Firms in the Region

ST. LOUIS (June 29, 2011) - Capital Innovators, an innovative program offering seed money to tech companies in St. Louis, announced that it has begun accepting applications for its first class of firms that will participate in this fall's StartUp St. Louis Accelerator Program.

The program, started by a group of entrepreneurs in the region and working in partnership with key St. Louis development groups, offers $50,000 in seed funding to five companies who will set up shop in the group’s offices in downtown St. Louis. Operating out of offices in the Railway Exchange Building in downtown St. Louis, those receiving funding will undergo a rigorous twelve-week program that includes free office-space, free legal and marketing services, subsidized office space. The companies will have access to free wi-fi and web hosting as well as consulting from the best and brightest that St. Louis has to offer through a mentorship bootcamp and university fellowship program.

Interested startup companies can submit applications online at www.capitalinnovators.com.

“We believe our program has the potential to make St. Louis one of the centers of influence for technology companies,” said Judy Sindecuse, CEO of Capital Innovators. “We believe this is a crucial time to be encouraging the growth in this space and we welcome anyone with a strong idea to submit an application to become part of the first class in our program.”

The program concludes with the opportunity to demo the company to major investors who can take the business to the next level. Applications are due July 15th, 2011 and the first class will begin September 12th, 2011.

Capital Innovators, working in partnership with the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association (RCGA), the Partnership for Downtown St. Louis and the St. Louis Economic Development Corporation, is also seeking members of the St. Louis business community who would work with these young companies.

“This is an amazing opportunity for all members of the St. Louis community,” Sindecuse said. “It gives business leaders a chance to give back through our mentor program, allows students to see innovation at work through our fellowship program and most importantly helps grow the St. Louis economy through the support and escalation of these exciting new companies.

St. Louis executives who are interested in getting involved should contact program associate Mary Gleich at mtgleich@gmail.com.

StartUp St. Louis is funded through STLTECH Fund that was created to make micro-seed capital investments and mentorship for emerging IT companies as a means to foster very early-stage technology innovation and growth in the Saint Louis region. Each portfolio company accepted into the program will go through a 12-week Accelerator Program where they will work closely with Capital Innovators, the management company for the fund, and their mentors. And, they will have access to professional services including accounting, legal and marketing/PR. In a Demo Day at the end of the program, the companies will be connected to a wide selection of potential investors where they will present their companies and products to an audience of angel investors and venture capital firms.

For more information, visit www.capitalinnovators.com.