More than 100 people turned out Tuesday evening to celebrate St. Louis Inno’s inaugural class of Startups to Watch.
The event recognized the 10 up-and-coming companies named to St. Louis Inno’s recently published Startups to Watch list. The 10 companies honored Tuesday spotlight the expanding scope of startups that dot the St. Louis region. They include companies focused on a range of industries, including renewable energy, software, consumer goods, agriculture and health care. You'll find the full roster of St. Louis Inno's Startups to Watch, including links to profiles on each, here.
Tuesday’s event, held at the Saint Louis Zoo, included a panel discussion that featured founders from two of the companies on the 2022 Startups to Watch list and as well as individuals from local venture capital and startup support groups. Participants in the panel, which was moderated by St. Louis Inno Reporter Nathan Rubbelke, were
- Erika Boeing, founder and CEO, Accelerate Wind
- Brian Hopcraft, general partner, Lewis & Clark Ventures
- Whitney McClendon-Gregory: founder, Eemerg Roadside Assistance Marketplace
- Quentin Ortega: executive director, Innovation, Technology & Entrepreneur Network (ITEN)
During the conversation, McClendon-Gregory and Boeing talked about their experience as founders and why they’ve been able to make their businesses succeed. They also discussed some of the challenges they currently face in accelerating their startups. Boeing spoke about having to overcome supply chain inefficiencies, while McClendon-Gregory explained her struggle in finding employees amid a tight labor market. McClendon-Gregory, whose startup has developed a roadside assistance marketplace app and also provides its own roadside assistance services, said she was running late to Tuesday’s event because she had to take on the duties of an employee who was out sick.
Lewis & Clark’s Hopcraft said retaining talent has been a challenge for some of the Clayton-based venture capital firm’s portfolio companies. One of its companies had a turnover rate of 45% last year, he said. While remote work has helped companies fill jobs amid the "Great Resignation,” Hopcraft said it's also made it easier for out-of-town companies to poach local talent.
All four panelists Tuesday emphasized the importance of finding the right mentors to help guide founders and startups through their growth strategies. McClendon-Gregory touted the help and guidance she’s received from fellow panelist Ortega of ITEN. Ortega said ITEN, an entrepreneur support organization that is part of Lindenwood University, is seeking to grow its mentor roster to increase its impact on incubating local companies and entrepreneurs.
Attendees at St. Louis Inno's Startups to Watch event had the chance to network at a reception following the formal program.
