Arch Grants has announced its 2024 cohort, awarding $1.7 million in equity-free grants to 20 groundbreaking startups. These companies, selected for their potential to drive economic impact and innovation, reflect the strength and growth of St. Louis’ entrepreneurial ecosystem. Among this year’s winners, five startups boast ties to Washington University in St. Louis, underscoring not only the university’s focus on fostering innovation but also a desire to see WashU entrepreneurs engage in St. Louis, grow their businesses here, and contribute to the economic development of the region.
Congratulations to the 2024 Arch Grant cohort WashU ventures:
“We are always proud to see WashU ventures having an incredible impact on the St. Louis entrepreneurial ecosystem and vibrant community we have here,” shared II Luscri, Assistant Vice Provost for Innovation & Entrepreneurship and Managing Director of the Skandalaris Center. “We pride ourselves – as a center, as a university, and as a city – on offering founders a wealth of resources as they continue to grow their businesses and achieve success through each and every milestone.”
The Skandalaris Center is WashU’s university-wide hub of innovation and entrepreneurship, offering startups resources and programming that meet their needs at every stage of development. WashU students and alumni can participate in the Skandalaris Venture Competition and Global Impact Award, both offering mentorship and non-dilutive funding for startups at various stages, from ideation to launch and beyond. Numerous Arch Grants companies have received support from the Skandalaris Center, as many of the offerings are not dependent on a WashU affiliation. Whether through startup job boards, the Launchpad accelerator and Skandalaris Internship Program (SkIP), or CELect client engagements with students, the Skandalaris Center supports startups every step of the way.
St. Louis’ thriving entrepreneurial community amplifies these efforts, creating an ideal environment for startups to flourish. Organizations like Arch Grants play a crucial role by providing non-dilutive funding to early-stage companies who are interested in growing and scaling their business in St. Louis.
The recently announced WashU Venture Network Follow-on Investments, a joint effort between WashU’s Skandalaris Center and the “In St. Louis, For St. Louis” initiative, will award up to $150,000 each year to Arch Grant winners with WashU ties. “This funding is another signal of the importance of entrepreneurship at WashU,” said Luscri. “We are more committed than ever to the success of our startups and look forward to announcing the first recipients at our Innovation and Entrepreneurship Awards in April 2025.” With the Skandalaris Center, Arch Grants, and the broader St. Louis ecosystem offering unmatched support, the possibilities are endless.