Aferna Bio is a biotechnology research company.
Agragene, Inc. is a sustainable agricultural technology company based in San Diego, California, founded in 2017. The company specializes in developing Precision Guided Sterile Insect Technology (pgSIT), a CRISPR-based method that genetically modifies insects to suppress invasive crop pests and combat mosquito-borne diseases. Agragene's approach involves engineering male sterile insects that, when released into the wild, mate with female pests, leading to a reduction in pest populations. Additionally, the company employs proprietary techniques for altering polyploid plant genomes, which can enhance crop characteristics in various species, including wheat, oats, and strawberries. Agragene aims to provide environmentally friendly pest control solutions that support farmers in improving the quality and productivity of essential food crops without relying on pesticides or chemicals.
Edison Agrosciences, Inc. is an agricultural biotechnology company based in Durham, North Carolina, focused on developing innovative solutions for producing plant-based industrial materials. Founded in 2013, the company primarily aims to create alternative rubber crops for various applications, including consumer, medical, and industrial products. Edison employs advanced computational breeding and agronomic techniques to enhance rubber concentration in underutilized plant parts, thereby improving yield per acre. The company is building a robust intellectual property portfolio and forming strategic partnerships to support the validation of its crop and product innovations. With a leadership team experienced in the industry, Edison Agrosciences is committed to providing sustainable biomaterials through its agricultural practices.
Maximum Fidelity Surgical Simulation specializes in the development of advanced medical training solutions, focusing on the creation of hyper-realistic surgical simulators. Their flagship product is a human-like mechanical cadaver system designed to enhance medical education by accurately mimicking human anatomy and physiological responses. This system employs realistic materials and technologies, such as Simblood and a pulsatile pump, to replicate blood flow and circulatory functions. By offering an immersive training environment, Maximum Fidelity enables medical personnel to practice surgical techniques and trauma care without the ethical concerns associated with using live subjects. The company's innovative approach is applicable across various fields, including military trauma training, biomedical device testing, and veterinary education, ensuring that learners gain critical hands-on experience in a safe and controlled setting.
Azome Therapeutics is an early-stage drug discovery company that focuses on developing selective antagonists of the NLRP3 inflammasome, an inflammatory system that plays a role in the development of a wide range of disorders.
Foresight is led by a passionate team of tech, lending, and banking veterans and backed by Techstars and Northwestern Mutual.
King of the Curve is an EdTech startup focused on helping students manage stress and enhance their academic performance. The company has developed a test preparation platform that gamifies the study process, aiming to boost student confidence. It features adaptive question banks and various study modes, including multiplayer options, which are complemented by detailed analytics. This innovative approach engages students in effective study sessions as they prepare for important exams such as the MCAT, NCLEX, PA-CAT, and RDE.
Backstitch Inc. operates a platform focused on personalized employee communications, catering specifically to HR and internal communications teams. The company's platform allows users to create effective business communications, providing features such as push notifications, internal content delivery, and industry news. Additionally, Backstitch enables users to analyze trends and behaviors within their organizations, identify allies across departments, and measure the return on investment of their communications and engagement efforts. The company also develops an application that integrates a curated media monitoring platform. Founded in 2012, Backstitch is based in Kansas City, Missouri.
Likarda is a biotechnology company focused on developing innovative cell therapies and delivery technologies. Utilizing its patented Core-Shell Spherification® platform, Likarda specializes in cell encapsulation within biocompatible hydrogels, such as Hyaluronic Acid and PEG, which allows for customized delivery solutions tailored to the unique specifications of various cell therapies. The company's approach enables the creation of microcapsules that can provide injectable treatments with enhanced localization and efficacy or offer immunoprotective barriers for long-term cell transplants. Likarda is actively working on therapies for diabetes and osteoarthritis, including the delivery of islet-like cells for diabetes treatment and the slow-release injection of encapsulated stem cells for alleviating joint pain and reversing osteoarthritis degradation. The company has achieved significant recognition, including being named one of the "50 Most Promising Start-Ups in the World." To date, Likarda has secured over $8 million in funding through private investments, grants, and contract services.
BIOIO creates pharmaceutical therapies for cancer that have the potential to be utilized as medications to extend human life and improve quality of life.
Barbell Logic provides wellness and fitness services that include online coaching, custom programming, and nutrition.
Amptify provides hearing healthcare services through a technology platform that utilizes mobile devices, the internet, video, and phone communication. Founded by a prominent aural rehabilitation research team from the Audiovisual Speech Perception Laboratory at Washington University in St. Louis, Amptify has established itself as a leader in comprehensive hearing healthcare. The company's evidence-based programs and proprietary digital toolkit are designed to assist individuals with hearing loss, enhancing their ability to communicate and improving their overall social, psychological, and physical well-being. This approach enables hearing healthcare specialists to deliver personalized rehabilitation tailored to the needs of their patients.
ECHELON Med Tech creates and markets dual-use medical solutions with the goal of significantly enhancing the health of soldiers, veterans, and civilians.
Aegis Digital Health specializes in virtual care and remote patient monitoring solutions for healthcare providers. The company operates as a digital health development organization, focusing on accelerating the commercialization of technology-enabled healthcare systems. Aegis offers operational resources, teams, infrastructure, and capital to assist healthcare companies in advancing their products and technologies. By streamlining the development process, Aegis aims to enhance the delivery of innovative healthcare solutions.
Jordan Valley Innovation Centre is a state-of-the-art center for conducting cutting-edge research and development. It is an inventive innovation hub approach that focuses on working in tandem with companies to develop and advance new technologies. JVIC assists and bolsters businesses in the semiconductor sector.
API Innovation Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to enabling the delivery of a market-competitive commercial supply of US-made Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs).
Navigate Oncology develops software for oncology clinics in order to improve workflow, lower healthcare costs, and improve patient care.
Solis Agrosciences, founded in 2021, is a plant science services company that focuses on accelerating research and development in crop innovation. The company offers advanced technology and research services tailored for Agtech companies, enabling them to rapidly test and develop new plant traits. Solis Agrosciences provides an end-to-end pipeline for gene-editing and transgenic plant generation and characterization. By supporting emerging startups within the biotechnology ecosystem, the company creates tools and services that facilitate scientific discovery and commercialization in the agricultural sector.
Allumin8 is at the forefront of a new category of orthopedic and spine hardware, with a novel focus on bridging the gap between hardware and biologics to meet patient-specific challenges.
NuPeak Therapeutics
Seed Round in 2023
NuPeak Therapeutics is focused on developing innovative drugs aimed at treating various airway diseases, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and respiratory viral infections. The company specializes in small-molecule kinase inhibitors that are designed to restore proper functioning of epithelial stem cells and innate immune cells. This approach targets post-viral inflammation and has potential applications in cancer treatment as well. Through its research and development efforts, NuPeak aims to address significant unmet medical needs in respiratory health and related conditions.
Journeys Metabolic is a digital solution provider focused on metabolic care, specifically addressing obesity and Type 2 diabetes. The company offers a six-month, in-home program that integrates advanced technology, including AI-driven precision pathways and computer vision for food education, to facilitate sustained behavior modification. This HITRUST-compliant platform is designed to help health systems transition to value-based care without adding to the burden on care teams. By targeting insulin resistance and related chronic conditions, Journeys Metabolic supports shared savings optimization in metabolic diseases and nutrition-related disorders through tailored nutritional interventions. The program aims to improve patient outcomes by extending primary care into the home and fostering a fee-for-outcomes model in healthcare.
Bryght Labs are connected gaming startup approachable to tech-enthusiasts and innovators with 48 combined years of experience in consumer tech. It also makes STEM-focused games more approachable.
Healium is a mental fitness tool that offers a drugless approach to managing anxiety, sleep, addiction, and burnout. The company utilizes patented technology that connects to biometric data from consumer wearables, such as smartwatches and EEG headbands, allowing users to monitor their brainwaves and heart rate. This information is used to create a reactive, immersive media experience that adapts to the user's bio-data. Healium's unique platform has been validated by eight peer-reviewed studies, demonstrating its effectiveness in reducing anxiety and improving mood within minutes. By leveraging existing sensors and devices, Healium provides a controlled virtual and augmented reality environment for users seeking to enhance their mental well-being.
Edison Agrosciences, Inc. is an agricultural biotechnology company based in Durham, North Carolina, focused on developing innovative solutions for producing plant-based industrial materials. Founded in 2013, the company primarily aims to create alternative rubber crops for various applications, including consumer, medical, and industrial products. Edison employs advanced computational breeding and agronomic techniques to enhance rubber concentration in underutilized plant parts, thereby improving yield per acre. The company is building a robust intellectual property portfolio and forming strategic partnerships to support the validation of its crop and product innovations. With a leadership team experienced in the industry, Edison Agrosciences is committed to providing sustainable biomaterials through its agricultural practices.
API Innovation Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to enabling the delivery of a market-competitive commercial supply of US-made Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs).
iSite Media, LLC specializes in advertising and marketing services utilizing digital display technology. Founded in 2015 and based in St. Louis, Missouri, the company focuses on delivering brand promotion through digital display networks located in restrooms. This unique placement allows for high visibility and relevance, enhancing consumer recall and engagement. iSite Media bridges the gap between content and consumers, ensuring that advertisements reach the appropriate audience in various environments outside the home. In 2017, the company rebranded from its former name, Sitting Duck Advertising, to better reflect its innovative approach to media campaigns.
Lindenwood University is a school in Saint Charles. Whether you are a busy working adult, recent high school graduate, or international student looking to study in the US, Lindenwood University (LU) might have what you are searching for in your pursuit of higher education. LU is a private, four-year institution that is founded on Judeo-Christian standards. It has undergraduate and graduate degrees on campus in an array of programs, including Biology, Computer/Graphic Arts, Fire and Paramedic Science, and Retail Merchandising. For those who are seeking a degree while working a job and need coursework to fit in with their busy schedule, LU provides courses in the evenings and online for added convenience. Financial aid is available to those who meet the criteria. Applications for financial assistance and admissions to LU can be done online or in person during a site visit. Beyond academics, the university offers students enriching experiences through athletic programs, clubs and organizations, leadership opportunities, and Greek life. It even built a recreational facility (Evans Commons) where students can hang out, watch movies, socialize, and meet new friends. If you like the idea of going to a larger school with a historic campus, extensive liberal arts curriculum, and full student life, consider Lindenwood University.
Codefi Works develops an ecosystem to train workers and entrepreneurs to build and expand the digital economies of rural communities.
MOSourceLink offers business support for entrepreneurs and small organizations.
Plastomics Inc. is a biotechnology company specializing in chloroplast genetic engineering to enhance crop performance. Founded in 2016 and based in St. Louis, Missouri, the company focuses on gene stacking and rapid breeding to improve yield production and nutritional quality. Its innovative technology platform allows for the precise insertion of beneficial traits into the chloroplasts of plant cells, facilitating the development of more effective biotech crops. This approach not only addresses current industry challenges but also eliminates cross-pollination, enabling clients to achieve trait expression in plants more reliably. Additionally, Plastomics' unique method of maternal inheritance streamlines breeding timelines and reduces costs, making it a valuable partner for seed companies in the agricultural sector.
Impetus Agriculture focuses on developing multiple topical or transgenic insect control products. Products that are safe, effective, and sustainable. Products that are not subject to the same insect resistance that has developed in current commercial products.
Compatio AI specializes in developing a cloud-based software platform that enhances digital commerce for businesses selling complex products. Its Product eXpert Platform provides advanced recommendation and compatibility management systems designed to streamline the sales process. By addressing challenges related to product recommendations, configuration, and substitution, Compatio AI helps businesses improve customer satisfaction and loyalty while increasing revenues and profit margins. The platform is tailored to meet specific business needs, enabling clients to boost conversion rates and reduce operational costs, making the overall commerce experience more efficient and effective.
Scopio, LLC is an image search engine and licensing platform that connects photographers and visual artists with businesses, brands, and organizations seeking visual content. Founded in 2015 and based in New York, Scopio specializes in user-generated images and videos sourced from social media. The platform allows users to license photographs with customizable messages and build libraries of content, while also streamlining the copyright process for these images. By leveraging artificial intelligence, Scopio enhances accessibility for diverse artists from around the world, enabling them to showcase their work and connect with potential clients. Scopio aims to create the largest repository of visual talent, allowing users to easily search, license, and utilize creative content.
CellARide is a technology company specializing in automotive marketing and safety recall communications. It has developed a platform that enables users to create mobile brochures for their vehicles, facilitating direct communication with potential customers. By leveraging widely used mobile messaging technologies, CellARide provides automotive marketers, manufacturers, and advocacy organizations with consumer insights, compliant communication tools, and a data capture platform. This approach allows clients to engage effectively with consumers and obtain real-time, actionable data, enhancing their marketing efforts. Through its innovative solutions, CellARide aims to streamline the marketing process for automotive brands and dealerships, making it easier to connect with shoppers.
PlanIT Impact operates a cloud-based software platform designed to enhance sustainable building design and planning. By integrating seamlessly into existing workflows, it empowers architects, designers, engineers, developers, and planners to address return on investment (ROI) and total cost of ownership (TCO) questions early in the design process. The platform leverages AI-driven technology to provide actionable cost-benefit insights, focusing on maximizing energy, stormwater, and water savings. This approach allows stakeholders in the construction and property management sectors to reduce the environmental impact of their projects, ultimately saving money and improving overall building performance while achieving their sustainability objectives.
Mingo Smart Factory specializes in manufacturing analytics by providing a platform that simplifies the collection and analysis of data from various sources, including machines, devices, and personnel. The company’s system automatically gathers real-time data, which is then contextualized to deliver actionable insights. This approach aims to enhance machine availability, productivity, and overall quality within manufacturing processes. Mingo's comprehensive solution, which encompasses sensors, data collection, and analytics, is designed to improve process efficiency and profitability for manufacturers, thereby transforming the landscape of factory operations.
CoverCress Inc. is a biotechnology company based in St. Louis, Missouri, focused on developing and commercializing field pennycress as an oilseed crop. Founded in 2013, the company aims to produce oil for industrial and renewable fuels, as well as meal for nutritious livestock feed. CoverCress specializes in crop breeding services that enhance soil cover during corn harvest and soybean planting, allowing farmers to maximize yields through sustainable agricultural practices. The company is dedicated to utilizing low-input methods to create a feedstock for low carbon intensity biofuels, contributing to more efficient and environmentally friendly agricultural solutions.
PatientsVoices, LLC, founded in 2013 and based in Parkville, Missouri, operates a healthcare language processing platform that transforms patient feedback into actionable insights. The company utilizes advanced data analytics to process information from various sources, including surveys, social media posts, and complaints. This platform is designed to automatically categorize feedback into improvement priorities from the patient's perspective, demonstrating to hospital administrators how to enhance patient satisfaction. By summarizing patient responses into an easily digestible format, PatientsVoices equips healthcare providers with the tools needed to improve patient experiences and potentially increase Medicare reimbursements. The platform is currently being tested in hospitals to further validate its effectiveness.
Canopy Biosciences is a biotechnology company specializing in research tools for gene editing, molecular biology, and personalized medicine. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, the company offers a range of products and services designed to enhance scientific discovery in biomedical research. Its gene editing technology, known as TUNR, facilitates targeted modifications in the genome by inserting polyA tracks into specific coding regions, which reduces mRNA levels and subsequently suppresses protein expression. This innovative approach supports researchers at universities, research institutions, and within the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors, advancing the fields of genetic engineering and gene expression analysis. Canopy Biosciences operates as a subsidiary of Bruker Corporation.
Geneoscopy, LLC, based in Saint Louis, Missouri, specializes in developing non-invasive diagnostic tests aimed at preventing, detecting, and guiding treatment for gastrointestinal diseases, particularly colorectal cancer. Founded in 2015, the company utilizes a proprietary platform that extracts stool-derived eukaryotic RNA (seRNA) to create a multi-target RNA biomarker panel. This innovative approach allows for the identification of colorectal cancer by capturing the effects of DNA mutations associated with the disease. Geneoscopy's technology not only enhances screening compliance but also facilitates the early detection of colorectal neoplasms, ultimately aiming to reduce morbidity and mortality linked to colorectal cancer. The company is also exploring additional applications of its technology for related gastrointestinal conditions.
Lean Media, Inc. specializes in cookieless digital advertising services tailored for agribusiness and rural community advertisers. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Chesterfield, Missouri, the company utilizes a sophisticated audience targeting platform that leverages geo-targeting technology alongside consumer psychographic, demographic, and behavioral insights. By comparing IP addresses with consumer databases, Lean Media enables advertisers to engage individuals at the consumer level, as well as target specific business categories or locations. Their innovative approach aims to enhance engagement and minimize waste in advertising campaigns, providing a reliable solution for reaching target audiences effectively.
Aptimmune is a biotechnology company based in St. Louis, Missouri, founded in 2010. The company specializes in developing mucosal vaccines for swine to combat viral diseases, specifically targeting Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus (PRRSV) and influenza A virus. Aptimmune employs innovative technologies, including its proprietary pig alveolar macrophage cell line ZMAC, to create effective nasal delivery vaccines. These advancements aim to provide animal breeders with lasting immune responses and enhanced disease protection, contributing to the overall health and productivity of swine populations.
Keybot, Inc. specializes in designing and manufacturing rental access robots that streamline access to rental properties through integrated hardware and software solutions. Established in 2018 and headquartered in St. Peters, Missouri, with additional locations in Kansas City, Missouri, and London, United Kingdom, the company focuses on automating self-showings and facilitating access for renters and maintenance personnel. Keybot's innovative products allow property managers and rental owners to share digital keys with verified third parties, manage access remotely, and maintain detailed access logs, enhancing security and convenience for users. The company also operates a production office in Taipei City, Taiwan, to support its manufacturing needs.
Tallyfy, Inc. is a software company that specializes in online business process improvement and workflow management. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, with an additional office in San Francisco, Tallyfy offers a cloud-based platform that enables organizations to streamline their recurring workflows and enhance process management. The software provides a user-friendly dashboard for real-time tracking of processes, allowing businesses to digitize workflows, automate conditional rules, and eliminate manual updates. Tallyfy serves a diverse clientele, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to small startups, and emphasizes the importance of process optimization in achieving efficiency and reducing human errors. Users can initiate a trial of the platform to explore its capabilities, which also include continuous process improvement through metrics and feedback.
Vector Legal Method is a software-as-a-service litigation management platform, designed for lawyers by lawyers. Vector is the first collaborative platform that gives in-house attorneys centralized control of all their litigation cases. Through our proprietary technology, corporate legal departments gain: visibility into outside counsel activity, instant access to case information, increased control over the litigation process, and valuable time to refocus on strategic projects, all while significantly reducing billable costs.
PopBookings is a cloud-based software that automates the hiring process for temporary and promotional staffing companies. It makes the process of booking and communicating with promotional staff simple by streamlining every step on one easy platform. They connecting agencies and brands with event workers, helping find everyday people to celebrate beloved brands through beautiful events. PopBookings was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, United States.
Greetabl is an online gift platform that specializes in creating unique and personalized gifts. It allows users to easily transform their photos into greeting cards that also function as gift boxes. Customers can enhance their gifts by selecting from a variety of options, including gift cards and chocolates, with prices starting at $20. The platform is designed to enable individuals to send thoughtful presents to their friends and loved ones, making gifting simple and accessible.
CellARide is a technology company specializing in automotive marketing and safety recall communications. It has developed a platform that enables users to create mobile brochures for their vehicles, facilitating direct communication with potential customers. By leveraging widely used mobile messaging technologies, CellARide provides automotive marketers, manufacturers, and advocacy organizations with consumer insights, compliant communication tools, and a data capture platform. This approach allows clients to engage effectively with consumers and obtain real-time, actionable data, enhancing their marketing efforts. Through its innovative solutions, CellARide aims to streamline the marketing process for automotive brands and dealerships, making it easier to connect with shoppers.
Benson Hill is a crop improvement company that unlocks the natural diversity of plants and empowers innovators with a revolutionary crop design platform to develop healthier and more sustainable food and ingredients. Benson Hill empowers innovators to develop more healthy, flavorful, and sustainable food by unlocking the natural genetic diversity of plants. Benson Hill’s CropOS™ platform combines machine learning and big data with breeding techniques and plant biology to drastically accelerate and simplify the product development process.
Sickweather Inc. is a company that specializes in sickness forecasting and mapping through its innovative mobile application. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Windsor Mill, Maryland, Sickweather utilizes patented social listening technology to scan social networks for indicators of illness, allowing users to receive real-time alerts and check the likelihood of sickness in their area. The platform operates in over 120 countries and provides users with 15-week forecasts and a threat level index known as the SickScore. By crowdsourcing data about illness trends, Sickweather aims to deliver precise and meaningful insights, making it easier for individuals to understand public health risks, similar to checking weather forecasts.
CoverCress Inc. is a biotechnology company based in St. Louis, Missouri, focused on developing and commercializing field pennycress as an oilseed crop. Founded in 2013, the company aims to produce oil for industrial and renewable fuels, as well as meal for nutritious livestock feed. CoverCress specializes in crop breeding services that enhance soil cover during corn harvest and soybean planting, allowing farmers to maximize yields through sustainable agricultural practices. The company is dedicated to utilizing low-input methods to create a feedstock for low carbon intensity biofuels, contributing to more efficient and environmentally friendly agricultural solutions.
Tallyfy, Inc. is a software company that specializes in online business process improvement and workflow management. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, with an additional office in San Francisco, Tallyfy offers a cloud-based platform that enables organizations to streamline their recurring workflows and enhance process management. The software provides a user-friendly dashboard for real-time tracking of processes, allowing businesses to digitize workflows, automate conditional rules, and eliminate manual updates. Tallyfy serves a diverse clientele, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to small startups, and emphasizes the importance of process optimization in achieving efficiency and reducing human errors. Users can initiate a trial of the platform to explore its capabilities, which also include continuous process improvement through metrics and feedback.
Strayos Inc. specializes in aerial data analytics software, focusing on the mining, quarrying, and oil and gas exploration industries. Founded in 2016 and based in St. Louis, Missouri, the company offers a comprehensive platform that integrates image processing and artificial intelligence to enhance operational efficiency. Strayos provides tools such as smart drill data analysis, which employs measurement-while-drilling techniques for real-time assessment of drill logs and rock properties. Additionally, the platform features a 3D Blast Profile for optimizing blast patterns and conducting interactive reporting and visualization. Strayos also includes the Muckpile AI platform, which utilizes advanced machine learning to analyze rock size distribution and muckpile movements. By leveraging aerial intelligence, Strayos aims to reduce costs, improve productivity, and enhance safety in mining and blasting operations, while also expanding its services to civil engineering and other sectors.
BenchmarkONE develops sales and marketing automation software tailored for small and mid-sized businesses. The company offers an integrated platform that includes customer relationship management (CRM) tools and sales automation features, allowing users to monitor contacts' activities, track deals, manage communications, and segment their audience. Additionally, BenchmarkONE provides email marketing capabilities with a user-friendly drag-and-drop email builder and marketing automation tools designed to engage visitors, prioritize leads, and optimize campaign investments. Originally known as Hatchbuck, Inc., the company rebranded to BenchmarkONE in June 2020 and has been operational since 2010, with its headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri. As of September 2019, BenchmarkONE functions as a subsidiary of Benchmark Internet Group, LLC.
TopOPPS delivers clarity, efficiency and predictability to the sales forecast, sales pipeline, and sales process, resulting in more wins and faster sales cycles. Sales executives are provided a dynamic forecast showing which deals are real and how to fill gaps to meet the budgeted sales number. Sales representatives are coached and aligned on sales process. TopOPPS predictive analytics transforms sales pipeline confusion into Sales Pipeline Reality.
Olio City, Inc. is a company that specializes in an online travel guide application aimed at enhancing city exploration. Founded in 2014 and based in Saint Louis, Missouri, the application provides users with personalized city discovery experiences by utilizing curated content from local experts and cultural enthusiasts. It features a comprehensive database that includes recommendations for attractions, restaurants, shopping, and nightlife events, all tailored to individual preferences. The app employs an algorithm that learns users' tastes, allowing it to suggest relevant experiences based on their interests, whether they are seeking jazz music or specific culinary options. This innovative approach enables users to navigate cities effectively and discover unique local hotspots.
Better Weekdays, Inc. operates an online career services platform and mobile application known as The Whether, aimed at enhancing the job placement process for students and employers. Founded in 2011 and based in Saint Louis, Missouri, the company focuses on reducing hiring costs for university recruiters through personalized content marketing tailored to college students. It offers a range of services including self-assessment, job matching, and career development resources for both students and professionals. Additionally, Better Weekdays develops Mentor Spaces, a virtual mentorship platform that assists companies in finding, hiring, and retaining underrepresented talent, thereby promoting diversity in the workforce.
Recursive Labs, Inc. specializes in a visual customer engagement platform that enhances real-time interactions between businesses and their customers. The company's technology enables co-browsing, allowing users to share their online experiences with customer service, sales, and technical support representatives, as well as with family and friends. Key offerings include Realtime, a solution for collaborative online shopping, and Replay Support, which allows customers to record and share their shopping experiences for better assistance. Additionally, Recursive Labs provides Replay Social, a tool that integrates voice, web, and video for enhanced marketing on social platforms, and Replay Enterprise, aimed at improving internal communications. These solutions are delivered through a Software-as-a-Service model, ensuring accessibility across various internet-connected devices. Founded in 2011 and based in St. Louis, Missouri, Recursive Labs was previously known as Click With Me Now, Inc. before rebranding in 2015.
Appbase.io is a hosted developer API for consuming JSON data streams with ElasticSearch. It allows developers to build reactive apps with data streams; and stream document updates, search results, and filters.
Greetabl is an online gift platform that specializes in creating unique and personalized gifts. It allows users to easily transform their photos into greeting cards that also function as gift boxes. Customers can enhance their gifts by selecting from a variety of options, including gift cards and chocolates, with prices starting at $20. The platform is designed to enable individuals to send thoughtful presents to their friends and loved ones, making gifting simple and accessible.
SanusEO, LLC is a mobile health technology company based in St. Louis, Missouri, specializing in a text-based patient engagement platform (PEP) designed to enhance communication between patients and care teams. Founded in 2012, SanusEO's platform supports healthcare providers, chronic disease patients, and payers by delivering daily alerts and real-time data to care teams, facilitating both immediate and long-term intervention strategies. The platform is particularly effective for managing patients transitioning from hospital care and those newly diagnosed with chronic conditions. By utilizing mobile texting programs, SanusEO aims to modify patient behaviors related to medication adherence, vital monitoring, diet, physical activity, and overall communication with healthcare providers. The approach targets various chronic diseases, including diabetes and congestive heart failure, and offers multi-language capabilities to cater to diverse patient populations.
BodiTrak is a sports technology company focused on interaction between athlete and the ground. They help instructors and athletes maximize performance and prevent injury.
Janus Choice, LLC is a healthcare solutions provider that enhances the hospital discharge process by empowering patients to select suitable skilled nursing facilities. The company offers an interactive search engine equipped with a patentable algorithm, which matches patients' clinical and social needs with available services at various facilities. This technology allows patients and their families to make informed decisions while still in the hospital, ultimately reducing hospital length of stay and improving patient experience. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, Janus Choice aims to facilitate seamless transitions between different care settings, benefiting patients, hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities alike. The company was established by individuals who recognized the challenges faced during the discharge process and sought to create a solution that addresses the needs of all parties involved.
EternoGen is a medical biotech company designing and manufacturing collagen scaffolds for soft tissue therapeutic applications. It is primarily a research and development company that utilizes expertise in clinical market evaluation, material science, and biological engineering to execute its clinical development model. The company was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Columbia, Missouri.
Creator of virtual reality and augmented reality digital therapeutics controlled by the user's brainwaves for stress relief purposes. The company's patent-pending methodology allows the user to self-prescribe XR content based on their emotions.
Sparo Labs is an award-winning startup company in St. Louis dedicated to breathing life into the asthma industry. The company flagship product, Wing, uses innovative technology to accurately measure lung function through a smartphone-connected, pocket-sized device. This empowers patients to better understand, track, and proactively manage their asthma so they can discover what most of us take for granted — a simple breath. The Wings also measures lung function with medical-grade accuracy and helps patients monitor their condition and manage medications, triggers, and symptoms. It also helps end the fear and uncertainty of asthma by empowering people to understand, track, and proactively control their condition. Sparo Labs was established in 2012 and is based in St. Louis, MO, USA.
LocalRaces.com LLC operates a comprehensive online platform focused on race registration and event management services, catering primarily to the endurance event market. Established in 2014 and headquartered in Joplin, Missouri, the company provides race directors with tools to enhance participant experiences while streamlining event management processes. It facilitates registrations for runners, cyclists, and triathletes, handling both online and onsite transactions through mobile credit card readers. LocalRaces.com charges a processing fee for registrants and offers a suite of software solutions that cover various aspects of event management, including volunteer coordination, sponsorship, and vendor management. The platform hosts a vast network of local running and cycling events across the U.S., allowing athletes to manage their race itineraries, results, and training through web-based tools and mobile applications. Additionally, LocalRaces.com generates revenue from advertising and partnerships within the running shoe and apparel market, and plans to expand its offerings by opening its API for third-party development, further enhancing its reach and service capabilities.
CellARide is a technology company specializing in automotive marketing and safety recall communications. It has developed a platform that enables users to create mobile brochures for their vehicles, facilitating direct communication with potential customers. By leveraging widely used mobile messaging technologies, CellARide provides automotive marketers, manufacturers, and advocacy organizations with consumer insights, compliant communication tools, and a data capture platform. This approach allows clients to engage effectively with consumers and obtain real-time, actionable data, enhancing their marketing efforts. Through its innovative solutions, CellARide aims to streamline the marketing process for automotive brands and dealerships, making it easier to connect with shoppers.
Confluence gathers, filters, combines and presents the pharmaceutical intelligence you need. It turns manual into automatic, risk into reliability and wait into wow. With Confluence you start where it counts: crucial planning and decision-making. Skip the assembly, start with Confluence.
The platform is an all-in-one care coordination tool to enable providers, payers, patients and family collaborate across the care continuum.
FocalCast offers a range of interactive web-based market research platforms for global brands and marketing agencies. FocalCast was founded by Devin Turner and Charlie Beckwith in September 2013 and is based in St Louis, Missouri.
FinLocker, LLC is a financial technology company founded in 2014 and based in St. Louis, Missouri. It develops a consumer-enabled financial data platform that facilitates the loan process for mortgages and other financial products. The platform serves both businesses and consumers by streamlining loan transactions and enhancing the overall financial experience. For businesses, FinLocker provides tools that cut costs, reduce fraud, and mitigate risks while improving customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. For consumers, the platform simplifies the loan application process, minimizes paperwork, and enables better management of personal finances. Using consumer consent, FinLocker captures essential borrower data and employs intelligent analytics to offer tailored loan product recommendations based on individual financial profiles.
Accuronix Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative therapies for pancreatic cancer. Founded in 2015 and based in the United States, the company employs a unique drug targeting technology that selectively targets Sigma-2 receptors, which are overexpressed on cancer cells. This approach aims to enhance the effectiveness of cancer treatment while minimizing toxicity risks for patients. Through its commitment to advancing oncology therapies, Accuronix Therapeutics seeks to address critical challenges in cancer care.
Edison Agrosciences, Inc. is an agricultural biotechnology company based in Durham, North Carolina, focused on developing innovative solutions for producing plant-based industrial materials. Founded in 2013, the company primarily aims to create alternative rubber crops for various applications, including consumer, medical, and industrial products. Edison employs advanced computational breeding and agronomic techniques to enhance rubber concentration in underutilized plant parts, thereby improving yield per acre. The company is building a robust intellectual property portfolio and forming strategic partnerships to support the validation of its crop and product innovations. With a leadership team experienced in the industry, Edison Agrosciences is committed to providing sustainable biomaterials through its agricultural practices.
Nanopore Diagnostics, LLC specializes in developing rapid and portable diagnostic products for bacterial infections. Founded in 2011 and based in St. Louis, Missouri, the company has created the iNDxer, a nanopore sensor designed to count dilute nucleic acid biomarkers in minimally processed samples. This technology enables the identification of RNA markers specific to pathogenic bacteria, allowing physicians to determine the presence of harmful microbes efficiently. By providing accurate diagnostics at the point of care, Nanopore Diagnostics aims to inform antibiotic treatment decisions, thereby reducing healthcare costs and combating antibiotic resistance.
PayIt, LLC is a technology company based in Kansas City, Missouri, that specializes in cloud-based solutions to modernize government payment systems. Established in 2013, PayIt provides a digital platform that enables state and local government agencies to enhance the payment experience for residents. Its services encompass various sectors, including property tax, utilities, courts, and public safety, facilitating a seamless and secure digital payment process across web and mobile interfaces. By integrating with existing back-office systems, PayIt creates a unified resident profile that streamlines interactions across different agencies and jurisdictions. The company serves over 100 million residents in North America and has received accolades for its innovative approach, including recognition from Fast Company and StateScoop.
Bonfyre Inc. is an employee engagement platform founded in 2013 and based in Saint Louis, Missouri. The company focuses on transforming workplace culture by providing technology that enhances employee recognition, communication, feedback, and event management. Its mobile-first platform offers real-time communication tools such as announcements, targeted broadcasts, and pop surveys, which help organizations foster camaraderie, align their culture, and gather valuable HR insights. By modernizing employee communications, Bonfyre enables companies to build stronger relationships and increase engagement, ultimately promoting a collaborative and innovative work environment.
Nitrogenics
Seed Round in 2015
Nitrogenics is a plant biotechnology company providing research analysis on nitrogen fixation in crop plants. Nitrogenics' services include data related to plant enzymes that are inserted in the genome of tobacco, enabling researchers to get to research on plants that absorbs nitrogen directly from the atmosphere, rather than from fertilized soil.
MedSocket offers a clinical decision support system aimed at enhancing the efficiency and quality of patient care. The company has developed a patented 1-Click Decision Support (1-CDS) system and a medical search engine known as 1-Search, both designed by clinicians to address their specific needs. These technologies facilitate quick and easy access to evidence-based information for busy healthcare providers, thereby aiming to improve healthcare decisions, reduce errors, and enhance patient outcomes. Successful pilots of these systems at the University of Missouri Health System have demonstrated their potential to decrease healthcare costs and improve the overall efficiency of patient consultations. Founded in 2012 by Dr. Karl Kochendorfer, who recognized the necessity for immediate information access in clinical settings, MedSocket combines expertise in business and information science to refine clinical decision-making processes.
Antegrin Therapeutics
Seed Round in 2015
Antegrin Therapeutics, LLC, is a drug discovery and development company focused on the development of novel therapies for fibrotic diseases. Our lead program aims to develop a treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive, life-threatening condition that currently has no FDA-approved medication.
MedSocket offers a clinical decision support system aimed at enhancing the efficiency and quality of patient care. The company has developed a patented 1-Click Decision Support (1-CDS) system and a medical search engine known as 1-Search, both designed by clinicians to address their specific needs. These technologies facilitate quick and easy access to evidence-based information for busy healthcare providers, thereby aiming to improve healthcare decisions, reduce errors, and enhance patient outcomes. Successful pilots of these systems at the University of Missouri Health System have demonstrated their potential to decrease healthcare costs and improve the overall efficiency of patient consultations. Founded in 2012 by Dr. Karl Kochendorfer, who recognized the necessity for immediate information access in clinical settings, MedSocket combines expertise in business and information science to refine clinical decision-making processes.
Orange EV LLC is a manufacturer of industrial electric vehicles, specifically Class 8 heavy-duty trucks. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Riverside, Missouri, the company focuses on producing zero-emission vehicles that offer significant environmental, financial, and operational advantages. By eliminating diesel-related costs and emissions, Orange EV's trucks help reduce the carbon footprint of fleets while providing comparable power to traditional fuel-consuming vehicles. The company also offers a range of services, including vehicle charging, demonstration drives, on-site warranty support, and financing options, aimed at enhancing the efficiency and safety of fleet operations while contributing to a cleaner environment.
Euclises Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is engaged in the research, development, and commercialization of innovative medicines targeting inflammation and oncology. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Saint Louis, Missouri, the company focuses on creating novel pain and cancer medications that promise enhanced safety profiles compared to current therapies. The firm is built on pioneering inventions by Dr. John Talley, a renowned medicinal chemist known for developing Celebrex among other approved drugs. Euclises aims to introduce new compounds that provide improved efficacy and safety, positioning itself as a leader in the pharmaceutical industry. The company operates from the BioGenerator Accelerator Labs, where it continues to advance its research initiatives.
CLS is a drug discovery company focusing on rational drug design to discover and develop mechanistically novel kinase inhibitors for use in both human and animal health care. CLS’s kinase inhibitors target key signal transduction enzymes involved in the regulation of cancer growth and survival, or in the modulation of chronic inflammation. Unlike many other kinase inhibitor programs, however, CLS is targeting novel binding sites (on kinase targets that have proved challenging) as well as previously “un-drugged” kinases. Driving CLS success in this effort is a team of world-class experts with extensive Pharma experience in kinase inhibitor discovery and development. CLS provides this team with the opportunity to pursue strategies and targets outside Pharma’s traditional focus. In addition, scientific and business collaborations are being established to enable the success of the business. The strategy is to develop and maintain a program pipeline: discover, develop, partner, repeat.
GeneriCo, LLC is a pharmaceutical company that specializes in the development and marketing of generic drugs. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Saint Louis, Missouri, with additional offices in Bengaluru, Italy, and South Korea, GeneriCo focuses on niche generic pharmaceuticals that are often overlooked by larger competitors. The company targets foundational medicines in key therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular health, pain management, central nervous system disorders, oncology, and aging-related conditions. GeneriCo distinguishes itself through its expertise in complex formulations and embedded drug delivery technologies, addressing market needs that are typically neglected by mid-sized and large generic firms. The company's global reach enables it to serve a diverse customer base.
SanusEO, LLC is a mobile health technology company based in St. Louis, Missouri, specializing in a text-based patient engagement platform (PEP) designed to enhance communication between patients and care teams. Founded in 2012, SanusEO's platform supports healthcare providers, chronic disease patients, and payers by delivering daily alerts and real-time data to care teams, facilitating both immediate and long-term intervention strategies. The platform is particularly effective for managing patients transitioning from hospital care and those newly diagnosed with chronic conditions. By utilizing mobile texting programs, SanusEO aims to modify patient behaviors related to medication adherence, vital monitoring, diet, physical activity, and overall communication with healthcare providers. The approach targets various chronic diseases, including diabetes and congestive heart failure, and offers multi-language capabilities to cater to diverse patient populations.
Moblico is a digital marketing platform aimed at helping wholesale distributors, manufacturers, and contractors enhance customer service and expand their customer base. The company provides a suite of tools that enables clients to deliver essential product information to customers and streamline services through mobile applications, texting, and geo-targeted technologies. By leveraging these capabilities, Moblico allows businesses to effectively engage with their customers, improve retention, and increase revenue from mobile applications. With the proliferation of internet-connected devices, Moblico focuses on not only getting applications noticed but also ensuring they maintain customer loyalty by facilitating timely and relevant interactions.
CoverCress Inc. is a biotechnology company based in St. Louis, Missouri, focused on developing and commercializing field pennycress as an oilseed crop. Founded in 2013, the company aims to produce oil for industrial and renewable fuels, as well as meal for nutritious livestock feed. CoverCress specializes in crop breeding services that enhance soil cover during corn harvest and soybean planting, allowing farmers to maximize yields through sustainable agricultural practices. The company is dedicated to utilizing low-input methods to create a feedstock for low carbon intensity biofuels, contributing to more efficient and environmentally friendly agricultural solutions.
Threater is a cybersecurity platform focused on active network defense, designed to automate the discovery, enforcement, and analysis of cyber threats at scale. The platform offers various solutions that proactively protect organizations from cyber threats by effectively blocking all known threats. This capability enhances the efficiency of existing cybersecurity measures, allowing them to operate more effectively. Threater's innovative approach aims to safeguard organizations against the evolving landscape of cyber threats, thereby improving overall security.
BenchmarkONE develops sales and marketing automation software tailored for small and mid-sized businesses. The company offers an integrated platform that includes customer relationship management (CRM) tools and sales automation features, allowing users to monitor contacts' activities, track deals, manage communications, and segment their audience. Additionally, BenchmarkONE provides email marketing capabilities with a user-friendly drag-and-drop email builder and marketing automation tools designed to engage visitors, prioritize leads, and optimize campaign investments. Originally known as Hatchbuck, Inc., the company rebranded to BenchmarkONE in June 2020 and has been operational since 2010, with its headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri. As of September 2019, BenchmarkONE functions as a subsidiary of Benchmark Internet Group, LLC.
Rovertown is a developer of branded applications designed specifically for regional convenience stores to enhance customer engagement. The company offers a platform that enables retailers to effectively utilize online tools for accepting mobile coupons, managing coupon campaigns, and implementing loyalty programs. Additionally, Rovertown provides seamless integration with point-of-sale systems, allowing businesses to streamline operations and improve sales. With a focus on personalized customer experiences, Rovertown differentiates itself by offering flexibility in technology integration and dedicated support to ensure successful implementation.
SynerZ Medical
Seed Round in 2015
SynerZ Medical, Inc. develops medical device for the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes. The company was incorporated in 2013 and is based in St. Louis, Missouri.
Using technology and education, we empower institutional investors to better manage their portfolios. Founded in March of 2013, Public Funds Investment & Reporting (PFITR, ) is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) technology company that enables those responsible for overseeing tax dollars to see valuation metrics based on market transactions to make the best investment decisions possible. Treasurers, Directors of Finance, public CFOs—all are examples of public fiduciaries who oversee, cumulatively, trillions of dollars in their operational accounts. State statutes and internal investment policies govern the three mandates of safety, liquidity, and yield. Keeping the investments safe involves identifying, measuring and mitigating risk. Liquidity is the second mandate and most entities keep an excess amount of cash and cash equivalents and because they lack the cash flow analytics required. Buying too high, hidden commissions, and holding too much cash often sacrifice yield. Our BPV™ tool provides them the analytics and internal controls to guide public fiduciaries to lessen risk, commissions, and poor timing. How do public fiduciaries, so burdened with conflicting demands and looming risks, respond? They either avoid doing anything or they take the advice of the bank or broker making the recommendation. Many public fiduciaries lack the experience, technology and training to make optimal investment purchases, so they are dependent on the recommendations of the broker because most do not use an advisor. There is an inherent conflict of interest in many recommendations because, generally speaking, brokerages receive higher commissions when the product sold is riskier generally . Most public fiduciaries are under-diversified, over-liquid and earning too little on their multi-million dollar portfolios. Cumulatively, public fiduciaries currently invest trillions of taxpayer dollars each year. In their flagship product, the Bond Price Validation tool (BPV™), PFITR provides public fiduciaries the information that they need to make optimal investment purchases. With proprietary, licensed data from strategic partners, including Moody’s, Interactive Data Corporation, CUSIP, and Standard & Poor’s, packaged into a user-friendly software interface, PFITR puts internal controls in place so that the public fiduciary can make more informed decisions. . PFITR offers public fiduciaries market transparency for their investment purchases and inventories. Bond fees and commissions are not transparent and are rarely known. The BPV™ tool is the most affordable and easy-to_use technology that lets public fiduciaries know market information about and pricing of investments before purchasing them` . In the world of public finance, proof is invaluable. Constituents want proof that their public servants are doing a good job, and auditors demand it. Bond Price Validation generates instant reports for every transaction that a public fiduciary makes in comparison to comparable market transactions. With Bond Price Validation, constituents and auditors alike are able to view and understand exactly why public fiduciaries make the investments that they do. PFITR has earned the attention of two early stage venture investors. Capital Innovators, the Missouri Technology Corporation and SixThirty are among a few of those who have cumulatively invested PFITR. In recent months, PFITR has built an impressive sales pipeline, with almost 100 product demos currently scheduled and a projected annual recurring revenue strea(ARR) of more than $300k by January 2016. Together, these factors contribute to PFITR’s current valuation of $3.8MM. Accordingly, PFITR seeks $380k for a 10% stake in the company. With a total market size of 116,000 U.S. public entities, PFITR aims to convert 4,000 public entities to customers within five years. This market penetration rate of about 3.5% requires PFITR to convert three customers in the month of September 2015 and post consistent, month-over-month sales growth of about 15% through 2017, at which time growth may slow to a more mature rate of 6%. Less than four months into their sales efforts and with only one full-time Sales Development Representative (SDR) and one Account Executive (AE), PFITR has already converted four new customers in September 2015. At 4,000 customers, PFITR will achieve a valuation of more than $625MM.
ImmunoPhotonics, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on developing innovative immunotherapy treatments for cancer, specifically targeting metastatic solid tumors. Founded in 2008 and located in Columbia, Missouri, the company has created a proprietary drug product designed to function as a minimally invasive therapeutic cancer vaccine. This product is administered through intratumoral injection following tumor ablation, leveraging tumor-associated neoantigens to stimulate a systemic anti-tumor immune response. By transforming the process of tumor ablation into a therapeutic approach, ImmunoPhotonics aims to enhance treatment options for patients with late-stage metastatic cancers. The company has also established a strategic partnership with Veterinary Cancer Therapeutics, LLC to further its mission in cancer treatment.