It’s an uncertain time for startups.
After years of free-flowing venture capital and high company valuations, investment dollars are now harder to come by. That’s led some startups to cut back costs, with scores of high-profile firms nationwide slashing jobs. But not all companies are cutting back, with several in St. Louis planning expansion in the upcoming months.
As part of this year’s Fire Awards and Startup Exit Awards, St. Louis Inno asked finalists and honorees about their hiring plans, with the majority of the companies saying they are currently on the hunt for new employees. We rounded up their responses, with details below on the roles each startup is seeking to fill. The companies are grouped by industry.
AGTECH/FOOD TECH
CoverCress
What it does: CoverCress is bringing a new cash crop to market that will be used to develop renewable fuel.
Hiring plans: "As we continue to grow, we will continue to invest in our product development team. We are currently looking to add lab tech positions to our team. Our administrative needs are increasing as we go from R&D to commercial, and we are currently looking to add accounting/finance positions. Finally, in order to grow our acreage, we need more feet on the ground recruiting farmers and will look to add experienced ag salespeople to our team as well as agents that have relationships with farmers and can represent our crop.”
Website: https://www.covercress.com/
Rootberry
What it does: Rootberry makes and sells prepared plant-based meals, shareables, salads and desserts.
Hiring plans: "Currently we’re hiring for brand ambassadors and a fall intern, however we anticipate hiring around five new positions to support operations, marketing, culinary and sales and account management.”
Website: https://rootberry.com/
BIOTECH/HEALTH CARE
EmpowerMe Wellness
What it does: EmpowerMe Wellness is a tech-enabled, multiservice health care provider for senior living facilities, providing integrated therapy, diagnostic, pharmacy and primary care services for their residents.
Hiring plans: “We currently have 356 open positions across the country. We are hiring therapists and area directors of operations nationwide, as well as laboratory scientists, pharmacists, and a wide range of corporate roles here in St. Louis.”
Website: https://www.empowerme.com/
TCARE
What it does: TCARE provides an evidence-based analytics program that allows social workers, care managers and care coordinators to help family members and caregivers responsible for seniors.
Hiring plans: TCARE is currently hiring for the following roles:
- UI/UX product designer
- Frontend developer x 2
- Data scientist
- Data analysts x 2
- HR/office manager
- VP of clinical operations
- TCARE specialists (social workers) x 12
- Director of channel partnerships
- Director of enterprise sales
- Sales managers x 6
Website: https://www.tcare.ai/
Babyation
What it does: Babyation has developed and commercialized what it describes as the “world’s most discreet breast pump.”
Hiring plans: "We’re actively looking for people to help assemble our products. We’re also looking for expert social media video producers, and we’re always on the lookout for talented app developers and engineers."
Website: https://babyation.com/
Wugen
What it does: Wugen is developing “off the shelf” cell therapies to treat various cancers.
Hiring plans: "We are growing into a brand new research headquarters within the Cortex Innovation District and are excited to continue expanding our team. We are currently hiring for roles within the clinical, chemistry & manufacturing control, and research & development teams."
Website: https://www.wugen.com/
SOFTWARE
Graphite Lab
What it does: Graphite Lab is a video game developer that creates its own original games as well as titles for major publishers.
Hiring plans: “We are hiring for quality assurance (game testers), and programmers primarily. We may add between 8-10 new positions in the next year which would be 30-50% growth of our team.”
Website: https://graphitelab.com/
Balto
What it does: Balto has developed “real-time call guidance” software used by contact centers.
Hiring plans: “We are looking for a director of information security, an application security engineer, and two more sales development representatives (SDRs). SDRs need to be local to St. Louis.”
Website: https://www.balto.ai/
Textel
What it does: Textel has developed text messaging software for contact centers and businesses.
Hiring plans: “We’re always on the lookout for great folks who can help push our company forward. Right now, roles in sales and engineering are of particular interest.”
Website: https://textel.net/
OptiFunder
What it does: OptiFunder has developed a technology system to help fund mortgage loans.
Hiring plans: "OptiFunder continues to grow in the second half of 2022 and is currently hiring the following positions: full stack Python developer, product analyst – configuration support, senior data scientist/optimization lead, warehouse lending operations specialist."
Website: https://www.optifunder.com/
Evolution St. Louis
What it does: Evolution St. Louis is a high-tech knit manufacturing facility in Grand Center.
Hiring plans: “We are always looking for experienced computer/machine operators and anyone who can sew or who has experience as a seamstress.”
Website: https://www.evolutionstl.com
