Best Small Business Resources in the St Louis Area

Description

GVMS has three programs targeted for business ventures: free team-based mentoring; patent pro-bono program, and Flipzone Business training program. To get into the mentoring program you need to apply first and GVMS will determine whether your business venture is qualified. The patent pro-bono program is for under-resourced, financially tight entrepreneurs who earn at 300% the federal poverty line or below. The Flipzone Business training program is a 20-week online program that adapts the flipped classroom method.

Description

CET is the largest and oldest Innovation Center in Missouri, boasting a variety of programs that support startups in the field of information technology, bioscience, and manufactured products. Their highlights include Square One Ignite training, Bootcamp training program, and other workshops and seminars. They also host the House of Genius St Louis collaborative program and the weekly Venture Cafe Meeting. Most of their programs are available for early-stage entrepreneurs at little or no cost. Their physical space is called CIC@CET. 

Restrictions

Training programs focus on the field of information technology, bioscience, and manufactured products.

Description

CIC St. Louis is a coworking space that offers startups of any size a fluid workspace, along with connections to a diverse network in the community. The highlight of this space includes a wet lab that is ideal for chemical or biological experiments. Lab spaces range from 500 to 2,000 sqft that can accommodate teams of 2 to 10. In addition to life science and biomedical support, they also support any innovation in the field of public relations, law and education.

Description

Women's Business Centers are nationwide programs established by the SBA to assist women in starting small businesses. Some of these centers are combined with other local organizations and use that relationship to offer even more services. Each Women's Business Center has counselors who can provide mentorship and assistance with business planning. Women’s Business Centers also provide a network of other businesses, and some have loan programs available

Restrictions

The Women's Business Centers are, as the name implies, meant for women primarily.

Description

HIVE 44 is a coworking/meeting/event space that offers several membership plans ranging from mail/package services to private offices. They also rent out event/meeting, and conference space, with catering available upon request.  

Description

The greatest strength of the SBDC is their free, confidential, 1-on-1 business mentoring for anyone who seeks it. Sometimes in order to be considered for mentoring from one of their professional business advisors, you may have to attend a class/workshop or at least present your business plan. SBDC's are located all throughout the state and you should use the SBDC closest to your location if possible, but you can often transfer to a different location if they do not fit your needs.

Description

SCORE (Service Corp of Retired Executives) is a leading, nation-wide organization that has assisted millions of entrepreneurs over its 50+ years of operation. SCORE is a resource partner of the SBA that offers access to a network of experienced business leaders who donate time to mentor entrepreneurs and small business owners. They also host free or inexpensive workshops online and at 300 local chapters around the United States. Mentoring can be conducted either in person or remotely and is always free and confidential, no matter how often you take advantage of this service.

Description

T-Rex is a tech incubator and coworking space located in St. Louis. They have several in-house organizations for entrepreneurial support on funding and mentorship, as well as occasional entrepreneur-related events. Non-members can book their spaces for events, as long as the theme of the event aligns with the mission of T-Rex as a non-profit tech incubator. This place is ideal for any tech startup entrepreneurs.

Restrictions