Cortex Innovation Community

Cortex Innovation Community Cortex is a vibrant innovation space serving as an inclusive economic engine for St. Louis. Louis, BJC HealthCare, the University of Missouri – St.

Cortex creates equitable economic impacts by leveraging high-quality facilities, developing programs that build knowledge and networks, and convening strategic partnerships that attract and support emerging and established companies. Founded in 2002 through a collaboration of Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis University, and the Missouri Botanical Garden, the Cortex Innovation Community (CortexSTL.org) is an internationally recognized hub of innovation and entrepreneurship that is focused on accelerating inclusive economic growth in St.

Calling all founders! Have a business idea? Don’t launch it blind.Cortex's Square One IGNITE helps you test, refine, and...
12/16/2025

Calling all founders! Have a business idea? Don’t launch it blind.

Cortex's Square One IGNITE helps you test, refine, and validate your idea before you take the leap. In just 4 weeks, you’ll gain clarity, confidence, and a plan.

Spring Session begins Feb 23, 2026 -- apply today: http://www.cortexstl.org/SQ1

Tomorrow's the LAST day to participate in our Winter Coat Drive with CIC - Cambridge Innovation Center! Choose one of tw...
12/11/2025

Tomorrow's the LAST day to participate in our Winter Coat Drive with CIC - Cambridge Innovation Center! Choose one of two options to give warmth to those in need:

🧥 Stop by three Cortex/CIC locations and drop-off new and gently used children’s coats (sizes toddler to teen) for local families. Too many children in our community face the cold without proper warmth—and together, we can help change that.

📦 Donate online via our Amazon list
You can purchase a coat, and it will ship directly to 4240 Duncan Avenue. Shop here: https://lnkd.in/gbSvMBu5

Thank you to all who have already contributed! If you have not yet -- there's still time! It's not to late to spread joy and peace during this holiday season.

Happy December from Cortex! ❄️ As the year comes to a close, we extend a heartfelt happy holidays to our District member...
12/02/2025

Happy December from Cortex! ❄️

As the year comes to a close, we extend a heartfelt happy holidays to our District members and neighbors. Thank you for participating in District events and programming in 2025. Showing up, sharing, and connecting drives our innovation ecosystem, and we are grateful for our community!

The year is far from over: check out this month's events from WEPOWER, Frizz Fest, Move by BJC, and more. For daily District updates and more event details, follow us on Instagram Stories and visit our Events calendar: https://www.cortexstl.org/gather/events

Get ready for FRIZZMAS! ❄️🎁🎄🛍️ Our friends Frizzy By Nature is bringing the annual holiday extravaganza back to Cortex!...
11/24/2025

Get ready for FRIZZMAS! ❄️🎁🎄🛍️
Our friends Frizzy By Nature is bringing the annual holiday extravaganza back to Cortex! You’ll find several Black-owned businesses (including some SQ1 alumni!) offering holiday-ready products and services, all supporting our mission of inclusive economic growth. And for some extra cheer, Black Santa STL will be making an appearance! Join us for this festive and FREE community event.

Cortex and CIC - Cambridge Innovation Center are partnering with Bayleaf Consulting for an energizing Lunch & Learn that...
11/13/2025

Cortex and CIC - Cambridge Innovation Center are partnering with Bayleaf Consulting for an energizing Lunch & Learn that helps leaders get unstuck and move forward fast!

🗓️ Wed, November 19 | 12–1 PM
📍 20 South Sarah | Lunch included

Clear Priorities in 60 Minutes is a one-hour clarity workshop for nonprofit and creative leaders ready to align their teams around what matters most.

Facilitated by Ellie Scott (she/her), Founder & Chief Strategist at Bayleaf Consulting, you’ll leave feeling lighter, clearer, and ready to focus on what truly matters. No RSVP needed -- see you there!

11/13/2025

💼 This week, 22 entrepreneurs graduated from Cortex's Square One's Bootcamp program -- an intensive 10-week, 50-hour program combining formal instruction with practical, hands-on learning. From high-quality skincare to community-centered fintech, Cortex is proud to support these small business owners with the resources and mentoring necessary for success.

Read more on Bootcamp via St. Louis Magazine's Business Newsletter here: https://info.stlmag.com/business-newsletter-111225?ecid=ACsprvvRkY-cK9L2akTlaJhiiY_7bT7-kcyr8gQvvumgrpd2335wLt6RUJEmq3WnzQMcukeATZYj&utm_campaign=BizSTL&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_-RIStFDigpigyNOrV9-2PBIhSJOeSPJMvKGfIxMKeX7TmbzNHM-HzFpOIO6HijmfmxSuvpM0Z6U_Ma7RUNFkbgAf_3A&_hsmi=389518164&utm_content=389518164&utm_source=hs_email

Give Warmth this Holiday Season! Through December 12, Cortex is teaming up with our friends at CIC - Cambridge Innovatio...
11/11/2025

Give Warmth this Holiday Season!

Through December 12, Cortex is teaming up with our friends at CIC - Cambridge Innovation Center to collect new and gently used children’s coats (sizes toddler to teen) for local families this winter. Too many children in our community face the cold without proper warmth—and together, we can help change that.

Here's how you can contribute:

📦 Donate coats in person: Drop off new or gently used children’s coats in the collection boxes located in 20 S. Sarah, 4220 Duncan and 4240 Duncan.

💻 Shop from our Amazon list: Prefer to donate online? You can purchase a coat directly from our Amazon list, and it will ship straight to 4240 Duncan Avenue. Shop here: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3W1MPY82Y7F6G?ref_=wl_share

Every coat collected helps keep a child warm, safe, and cared for this season. Please share with your networks who may be in a giving spirit as we approach the holiday season!

🍂 Calling all District members and friends: join Cortex and Lillibridge for a Headshots & Treats gathering on next Wedne...
11/05/2025

🍂 Calling all District members and friends: join Cortex and Lillibridge for a Headshots & Treats gathering on next Wednesday, November 12th, 10am–1pm at 4240 Duncan Ave!

📸 Enjoy complimentary professional headshots, coffee, treats, and creative paint stations while you wait.

Come connect, recharge, and get that perfect new headshot for your LinkedIn profile! RSVP today: https://forms.monday.com/forms/33d95f200688d01c24292bcbbff61c2f?r=use1

🍁 November is here and Cortex is buzzing with opportunities to learn, connect and enjoy the autumn season! Don't miss ev...
11/03/2025

🍁 November is here and Cortex is buzzing with opportunities to learn, connect and enjoy the autumn season! Don't miss events from STL Startup Week, Move by BJC, WEPOWER, BioSTL, and more!

📌 Stay connected! For daily District updates and more event details, follow us on Instagram Stories and visit our Events calendar: https://www.cortexstl.org/gather/events

What an incredible day at our celebration! 🎉With more than 200 attendees, it was a packed house full of innovation, co...
10/28/2025

What an incredible day at our celebration! 🎉
With more than 200 attendees, it was a packed house full of innovation, collaboration, and community pride.

A huge thank-you to everyone who made it possible — including our food vendors Saucy Porka Park Avenue Coffee FUFU n' Sauce Pudnpudn, our partners CIC - Cambridge Innovation Center Move by BJC Aloft St. Louis and our inspiring ambassador panelists.

👉 Continue learning about the amazing ambassadors behind the campaign here: http://www.cortexstl.org/wearecortex

And don’t miss their new banners now brightening Boyle Avenue between Forest Park Parkway and Clayton Avenue! Finally, stay tuned for more event recap this week.

🚀 Cortex is proud to fuel big ideas with big heart.As founder of GiftAMeal, Andrew embodies the collaborative and creati...
10/27/2025

🚀 Cortex is proud to fuel big ideas with big heart.

As founder of GiftAMeal, Andrew embodies the collaborative and creative spirit that drives the Cortex ecosystem.

Developed in St. Louis, GiftAMeal turns food photos into real meals for people in need. Since launching a decade ago, the app has helped provide 2.5 million meals through partnerships with over 1,000 restaurants and local food banks like Operation Food Search.

Andrew credits Cortex’s supportive culture and the District's resources for helping transform an internship idea into a national force for good: https://www.cortexstl.org/newsroom/blogs/we-are-cortex-andrew-glantz

Address

4240 Duncan Avenue, Ste 200
St. Louis, MO
63110

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+13145314500

Website

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