Connect to Resources and MTC Partners by Region
Kansas City Metro Area
EIDC – Warrensburg
Brush Creek – KC
Downtown Council of Kansas City
The Downtown Council of Kansas City is a private, nonprofit membership organization representing Kansas City’s best businesses, property owners, nonprofit organizations, and anyone invested in Downtown’s success.
Each year, LaunchKC invests $500,000 in Pre-Seed and Seed Stage companies that relocate to Downtown Kansas City, Missouri through our grants competition. Founded in 2014, LaunchKC is a nonprofit initiative of the Downtown Council and the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri with the goal of attracting and retaining high-growth tech startups to Downtown Kansas City, Missouri.
LEANLAB Education a nonprofit organization that specializes in codesign research between education technology companies and schools. We match parents, learners and educators with edtech developers to inform, develop, and evaluate the next generation of classroom tools. We study how edtech tools work in real classroom environments, and connect promising edtech solutions with resources to support accelerating their impact.
From whiteboard to boardroom, the UMKC Innovation Center partners with the university and the community to spark entrepreneurial efforts within our region and across the country.
With a suite of high-impact programs that serve tech ventures, deliver entrepreneurial education and build our entrepreneurial ecosystem, the center helps emerging and existing business owners, including students, faculty and community members, to hone their business basics, evaluate commercialization opportunities and connect with the right resources at the right time.
MOSourceLink connects entrepreneurs and small business owners with a network of nonprofit resource organizations that provide business-building services. We facilitate the linking of these resource organizations to one another and to established, emerging and start up small businesses throughout the region.
St. Louis Metro Area
Arch Grants disrupted the status quo of economic development in 2012 with a mission to transform the economy – in St. Louis and throughout the world – by attracting and retaining extraordinary entrepreneurs. Through the unique and groundbreaking annual Startup Competition model, we provide up to $100,000 in equity-free grants and access to an ecosystem of resources, helping early-stage startups grow and scale. Arch Grants is a beacon for entrepreneurs globally, developing the next generation of employers, civic leaders, and philanthropists for the St. Louis region.
Since 2001, St. Louis nonprofit BioSTL has laid the foundation for the region’s innovation economy with a comprehensive set of transformational programs that elevate St. Louis’ leadership in solving important world challenges in agriculture, medicine, health care, and other technology areas. BioSTL has introduced nationally-acclaimed initiatives in startup creation and investment (BioGenerator), strategic business attraction (GlobalSTL), physical environment (including the Cortex Innovation District and BioGenerator Labs), entrepreneur support, seed and venture capital, a diverse and inclusive workforce, and public policy.
LaunchCode is a nonprofit offering free tech education and job placement opportunities to bring new people from all backgrounds into the tech field and reshape the way employers think about hiring.
Center for Emerging Technologies ([email protected])
Founded in 1998, the Center for Emerging Technologies (CET) is the largest and oldest Innovation Center in Missouri. CET is nationally recognized for providing the infrastructure and resources needed for early-stage, high-growth companies in the fields of information technology, bioscience and manufactured products to innovate and thrive. An affiliate of the Cortex Innovation Community since 2012, CET fills an important program role in the Cortex district and broader St. Louis region.
ITEN supports both community-based and student entrepreneurs and innovators by delivering educational programs & events, curating corporate & community partnerships, offering access to experienced mentorship, and providing ecosystem wayfinding services. We deliver positive economic impact in the form of new company launches, product innovation, job creation, and workforce development.
University of Missouri St Louis – DEI Accelerator
The UMSL DEI Accelerator aims to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the St. Louis startup ecosystem by empowering diverse founders from underrepresented communities. We believe that empowerment begins with capital, followed by instruction and mentorship.
T-REX is a non-profit innovation, entrepreneur and workforce development organization that provides quality programming, collaborative community, and low cost, flexible enterprise space. T-REX is the home of nearly 200 companies and innovation support organizations and a proud partner of the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency. To date, T-REX companies have created over 5,000 jobs in the St. Louis region.
Central Missouri (e.g. Columbia, Jefferson City, Rolla)
Fulton Area Development Foundation dba Show-Me Innovation Center/Callaway Chamber of Commerce
The Missouri Innovation Center is a non-profit organization focused on providing support for high growth business ventures that improve human life and sustainability. Through offering services in mentoring, securing financial support, and providing necessary resources for conducting successful and focused research and development, MIC helps to create more quality jobs in our region, improve the local economy, and develop technologies that are capable of improving the quality of human life.
Missouri Enterprise is a part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership, a National Network of manufacturing excellence resources available to YOU as a Manufacturer in Missouri. It’s all about helping you become a better, faster, more profitable manufacturer, and Missouri Enterprise is your direct point of access to things you need to grow and thrive. We’re your go-to resource for everything from simple advice and guidance, to no-cost and low-cost expertise and learning opportunities, to affordable, high-ROI initiatives in manufacturing excellence.
Southeast Missouri ( e.g. Sikeston, Cape Girardeau, Poplar Bluff)
MRC – Cape Girardeau
Southwest Missouri (e.g. Branson, Joplin, Springfield)
Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation
Codefi Foundation on Rural Innovation, Inc.
The Codefi Foundation on Rural Innovation is dedicated to improving the quality of life by accelerating economic development through access to education, mentoring, technology, and capital, and providing increased and efficient internet, network, and technology connectivity and access to citizens and businesses. Founded as the Marquette Tech District Foundation in 2016 as part of a downtown revitalization effort in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, the 501(c)3 has expanded its mission to support underserved populations in rural communities throughout the surrounding region.
Missouri State University (Springfield Innovation eFactory)
The Joseph Newman Innovation Center (NIC) offers flexible and affordable workspace options for startups, entrepreneurs and anyone needing to get out of the house or coffee shops in the Joplin area. The NIC provides new business owners the opportunity to focus on building their business with collaborative spaces and networking opportunities. Contact us today to schedule a private tour and become part of the Joplin Entrepreneurial Ecosystem.
MO State – Springfield
Northeast Missouri (e.g. Kirksville, Hannibal)
Missouri Rural Enterprise and Innovation Center (MREIC)
Business consulting services offered in partnership with the Missouri Small Business & Technology Development Center, a program of the University of Missouri Extension. Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Northwest Missouri (e.g. St. Joseph, Maryville)
The CIE is a mixed-use business incubator and academic science building that provides assistance to existing small businesses and encourages development of new small businesses.
Innovation Stockyard – St. Joseph
Innovation Stockyard is a one-stop business incubator for those who want to start or grow any business, but specializing in the animal sciences field. We offer business and scientific consulting—and facilities—to help bring your idea to market. Innovation Stockyard can help make your vision a reality by bringing your animal science idea to market. Our team has diverse and well-rounded animal health experience and can assist you with designing, testing, and refining your product.