Fresh Pitches, Big Awards On-Tap For Fall STL StartUp Connection

StartUp Connection, a St. Louis venture showcase and entrepreneur resource fair, is scheduled to hold its Fall event on October 25th at the Saint Louis Science Center. The showcase will give 50 entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch their latest business ideas to investors and startup enthusiasts from around the Midwest. The bi-annual event is organized by Innovate St. Louis, a non-profit organization working to grow the city’s entrepreneurial community. This Fall’s keynote speech will be given by Billy Busch, CEO of Kräftig, the first brand of beer to come from the newly-formed William K. Busch Brewing Company. Participating ventures will be eligible to receive awards at the Fall event, including an award of $2,000 from St. Louis VC firm Cultivation Capital and a $2,500 people’s choice award grand prize. “StartUp Connection’s Fall Showcase and Entrepreneur Resource fair brings together two key parts of the St. Louis region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem: the community of innovative startups and the resource organizations that support them,” reads the event website. “Previously, these events have drawn over 550 people, and we’re excited to bring them together under one roof.” The event will feature cocktails and networking opportunities in addition to the scheduled pitches and presentations. And with over 30 entrepreneurial support organizations in attendance, entrepreneurs will have plenty of opportunity to find the help they’re looking for. The event will run from 4:30 pm until 8:30 in the evening on the 25th. Entrepreneurs interested in pitching at the event can still register through the official website until September 23rd. If accepted, entrants will have to put down $100 to reserve their spot, for which they will receive four tickets, a table in the venture showcase, as well as the opportunity to pitch and win cash prizes. Anyone looking to simply attend the event can still secure a standard ticket for $25. Check out the event flyer below, or StartUp Connection’s official website, to learn more about this Fall’s Midwestern entrepreneur showcase.