TLDR:
St. Louis has unique assets that make it an attractive location for building companies, including being capital-efficient and grounded. Building a community involves collaboration between civic, business, and government leaders. Access to capital is crucial for success, and efforts are being made to engage local investors more.
In a panel at the St. Louis Smart Business Dealmakers Conference, experts discussed the importance of driving local investment in St. Louis.
Key Points:
- St. Louis is characterized as “big enough and small enough,” with unique assets that set it apart from other cities.
- Collaboration between civic, business, and government leaders is essential for building a thriving community.
- Access to capital and engagement of local investors are crucial for the success of startups in St. Louis.
BioSTL Founding President and CEO Donn Rubin emphasized the importance of private funding for building an ecosystem around biosciences and innovation, compared to relying on public sector support.
Efforts are being made to attract more local capital to support early-stage startups and prevent them from moving to other cities for funding.
