St. Louis Tech Triangle

Build Back Better Regional Challenge Badge Winner

Coalition Lead: Greater St. Louis, Inc.

Phase 2 Award: $25 million

Private Investment (Sept. 2022 – Sept. 2024): 8.5 million

Additional Public and Nonprofit Funding (Sept. 2022 – Sept. 2024): $68 million

Project Description:

The St. Louis Tech Triangle is utilizing a $25 million BBBRC grant to converge the region’s three leading industry clusters of biosciences, geospatial, and advanced manufacturing, and build a national model for inclusive economic growth. The St. Louis Tech Triangle’s work is strengthening the global competitiveness of the region’s distinct-but-related industries, while equitably distributing the benefits of this economic growth to communities that have been historically excluded.

The coalition brings together regional partners including BioSTL, WEPOWER, Harris Stowe State University, the St. Louis Small Business Empowerment Center, Cortex Innovation Community & Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Innovation Center, Southwest Illinois Community College, Greater St. Louis Inc., and the Rung Foundation.

As of September 2024, the coalition has made significant strides in achieving its vision of an equitable and diversified economic cluster:

  • WEPOWER has launched its first accelerator cohort, which includes 18 participants, that is specifically focused on the construction industry. WEPOWER is partnering with other coalition members to expand entrepreneurial and business development services linked to the region’s advanced manufacturing and bioscience growth cluster with a focus on firms owned by historically excluded populations.
  • The API Innovation Center has successfully entered into a partnership with United States Pharmacopeia to pave the way for a resilient and economically sustainable supply of critical medicines. These two entities will coordinate the development, manufacturing, and approval of prioritized oncology drugs intended to achieve the greatest patient impact.
  • BioSTL is actively supporting startups and facilitating networking connections to help strengthen the inclusive economic ecosystem in the greater St. Louis region. Such efforts are integral to ensuring that the benefits of the coalition’s work is shared equitably among residents.

Coalition Overarching Narrative (applicant submitted) (PDF)

“With the STL 2030 Jobs Plan as the foundation, St. Louis leaders are committed to creating jobs, diversifying the economy, closing racial and locational disparities, and transforming our region into a national model for inclusive economic growth. This vision leverages existing strengths in bioscience and geospatial clusters to re-orient traditional manufacturing and production strengths toward advanced manufacturing of the future and advancing resiliency and long-term regional recovery.”

St. Louis Tech Triangle

Related Links

In the News

View Press Release