Arch Grants is a Missouri non-profit corporation whose mission is to advance economic development through
entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship is the creation or extraction of economic value. With this definition, entrepreneurship is viewed as change, generally entailing risk beyond what is normally encountered in starting a business, which may include other values t ...
.
History
Founded in 2011, Arch Grants launched its international Business Plan Competition as a strategy to build the next generation of successful businesses within the St. Louis region. Five years ago, Missouri was ranked as the next-to-worst state in terms of its entrepreneurial activity and as large corporations left St. Louis or merged with companies headquartered elsewhere in the wake of the recession, Arch Grants was founded to attract and retain high-growth companies to drive
economic development
In the economics study of the public sector, economic and social development is the process by which the economic well-being and quality of life of a nation, region, local community, or an individual are improved according to targeted goals and ...
efforts throughout the St. Louis region.
As of July 2014, Arch Grants has funded 55 companies that have generated $6.5 million in revenue, attracted $17.7 million in additional capital, and created 192 net new jobs for St. Louis. In addition, 98% of the companies in the business are still headquartered in St. Louis.
Arch Grants' unique model and success have drawn national media attention including
The Wall Street Journal
''The Wall Street Journal'' is an American business-focused, international daily newspaper based in New York City, with international editions also available in Chinese and Japanese. The ''Journal'', along with its Asian editions, is published ...
,
Businessweek
''Bloomberg Businessweek'', previously known as ''BusinessWeek'', is an American weekly business magazine published fifty times a year. Since 2009, the magazine is owned by New York City-based Bloomberg L.P. The magazine debuted in New York City ...
,
Forbes
''Forbes'' () is an American business magazine owned by Integrated Whale Media Investments and the Forbes family. Published eight times a year, it features articles on finance, industry, investing, and marketing topics. ''Forbes'' also r ...
,
The Huffington Post
''HuffPost'' (formerly ''The Huffington Post'' until 2017 and sometimes abbreviated ''HuffPo'') is an American progressive news website, with localized and international editions. The site offers news, satire, blogs, and original content, and ...
,
TechCrunch
TechCrunch is an American online newspaper
An online newspaper (or electronic news or electronic news publication) is the online version of a newspaper, either as a stand-alone publication or as the online version of a printed periodical.
Goi ...
, and
NPR as well as several local media channels including the Saint Louis Business Journal and Saint Louis Magazine.
Key personnel
* Gabe Lozano, the founder of LockerDome, sits on the advisory board.
Rex Sinquefield
Rex Andrew Sinquefield (; born September 7, 1944) is an American businessman, investor, and philanthropist who has been called an "index-fund pioneer" for creating the first passively managed index fund open to the general public Sinquefield wa ...
is a sponsor of the non-profit.
Elizabeth Zucker is the President of Arch Grants, Jerry Slitcher J.D is Chairman, Matt Balder as Treasurer, Stefanie Thelen as Secretary, all from different companies.
Normal personnel/workers
Gabe Angieri • Executive Director
Jess Belomo • Director of Entrepreneur Recruitment
Alfred Jackson • Director of Portfolio
Jamie Kussman • Development Operations Manager
Sara Mesiano • Portfolio Associate
Sara Westbrooks • Program Manager
See also
*
Kranzberg Arts Foundation
References
External links
* {{Official website, https://archgrants.org
Entrepreneurship organizations
Non-profit corporations
Midtown St. Louis
Community building
Companies based in St. Louis
Organizations based in St. Louis
Non-profit organizations based in St. Louis