Arch Grants is a nonprofit organization at the center of a movement to accelerate economic development through entrepreneurship. St. Louis is one of the fastest-growing startup scenes in the U.S., and Arch Grants works hard to maintain this designation by attracting and retaining talent and companies to the region.
Each year, the Arch Grants Global Startup Competition awards cash grants and pro bono support services to startups that agree to locate their business in St. Louis for at least one year. Arch Grants looks for innovative technologies, products or services, wrapped within scalable for-profit business models, that have the potential to make national or international impact.
Since its inception in 2011, the industry-agnostic competition has awarded over $6.1 million to 114 companies, funding startups in such areas as AgTech, Big Data, FoodTech, BioTech, FinTech, Hardware Technology, Health Tech, Health Care IT, Manufacturing, Medical Devices, Social Venture and others.
In addition to a $50,000 equity-free cash grant, Recipients receive:
- Pro bono and discounted services in essential business areas (legal, accounting, marketing, HR, banking, etc.)
- Personal introductions to strategic business and civic leaders
- Access to angel investment and venture capital networks
- Educational programming
- Access to Arch Grants leadership
- Talent acquisition/recruiting services
- Professional and high-level business mentorship
- Relocation assistance
- Social support and community-integration services
- Inclusion into a community of innovative entrepreneurs
In turn, grant Recipients provide the organization with data on jobs created, revenue and follow-on capital; report and trace expenditures of the grant; and provide mentorship to new Recipients entering the program, as well as participating in Arch Grants’ community-focused events.
Supporters of Arch Grants come together each year to celebrate the region’s entrepreneurial spirit and community at the Arch Grants Gala. The event features the announcement of each year’s Recipients and the presentation of the Entrepreneur Award to an entrepreneurial St. Louisan for outstanding business accomplishments and community and civic leadership. Past honorees include Maxine Clark, David Steward, Rodger Riney, Michael Neidorff and Jerry Kent.
911 Washington Avenue, Ste. 415
St. Louis, MO 63101
314-272-4857
