Arch Grants, the St. Louis nonprofit that annually awards $75,000 in equity-free grants to new businesses, announced on Friday that it is providing $1.6 million in funding to 19 startups in its 2025 cohort. These companies, selected for their potential to drive economic impact and innovation, reflect the strength and growth of St. Louis’ entrepreneurial ecosystem. We are excited to share that six of this year’s winning ventures were founded by WashU alumni, and several have previously won funding through the Skandalaris Venture Competition and/or the Global Impact Award.

As the university-wide hub of innovation and entrepreneurship, the Skandalaris Center is proud to have supported many of these startups with resources and programming throughout their development, and we are thrilled to see these WashU founders commit to growing their startups here in St. Louis after graduation.

Since its founding in 2012, Arch Grants has awarded over $20 million in non-dilutive grants. Its portfolio companies have raised more than $870 million in follow-on capital, generated over $1.3 billion in revenue, and created more than 4,000 jobs in the St. Louis region. Last year, the WashU Venture Network Follow-on Investments was announced to further support Arch Grants winners connected to WashU, highlighting the university’s commitment to fostering innovation and encouraging WashU entrepreneurs to remain engaged in St. Louis and contribute to regional economic growth. The joint effort between the Skandalaris Center and the “In St. Louis, For St. Louis” initiative will provide up to $150,000 annually to support startups that are likely to stay in St. Louis after their grant period ends.

Congratulations to the WashU-founded companies in the 2025 Arch Grants cohort:

Archetype – A smart platform aimed at simplifying the way designers and developers plan, visualize and furnish spaces. The company is led by co-founders CEO Sarah Mirth (MArch ’10) and Chief Product Officer Dan Mirth.

ChiChi – The company is working to revolutionize breakfast with chickpeas, offering real protein, fiber and satisfying texture to morning fare. Led by co-founders Chiara Munzi (BA ’23) and Izzy Gorton (BSBA ’25), ChiChi won the Global Impact Award in 2024, and the Skandalaris Venture Competition in 2023.

Decodable Reads -This AI-enhanced platform generates personalized, skill-targeted reading materials and lesson plans for students to build foundational reading skills. Led by co-founders Paul Heinemann (MATL ’21) and Joe de Lorimier, it’s the recipient of the STLOnward Award, supported by NISA Charitable Fund.

GenAssist – The firm develops a patented biomaterial to enable the body to regrow functional muscle after damage or destruction, turning injuries that had been thought to be permanent into recoverable conditions. Co-founders CEO Joe Beggs (BME ’20) and CTO Gabe Haas lead the company.

nCase -The firm designs carrying cases for emergency medicines that it says are discreet, durable and convenient. Its flagship product, NALOX-1, is a keychain case for naloxone (NARCAN) that it says is proven to boost carriage rates and overdose-response readiness. The startup won funding through the Skandalaris Venture Competition in 2024. Co-founders Matthew Bitner-Glindzicz (MS ’22) and Danielle Wilder (AB ’21, MD ’26) lead the company.

Zaiko – A customer engagement platform, Zaiko aims to help independent restaurants, retailers and service businesses increase sales and repeat customers through outreach programs. It received the STLOnward Award, supported by NISA Charitable Fund. The company, led by co-founders CEO Franklin Taylor (MBA ’24) and CTO Jason Ti (BS ’24, MS ’25), won funding through the Skandalaris Venture Competition in 2024.

In addition to the grant recipients, WashU startup Saluna was added to the Arch Grants Fellows Program, a peer advisory and business growth collective for later-stage companies that was launched in 2023. Co-founded by Matt Plummer (MBA ’18), the ag company is introducing varieties of industrial hemp to plant as a crop to give Midwestern growers more planting choices. Saluna was one of three new additions to the Fellows Program.

Read more about the 2025 Arch Grants cohort in the St. Louis Business Journal.