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.

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

🍮 Move over, Big Dessert — there’s a new pudding boss in town and he's a Cortex's Square One alum. When Ismael started ...
10/23/2025

🍮 Move over, Big Dessert — there’s a new pudding boss in town and he's a Cortex's Square One alum.

When Ismael started baking banana pudding in his kitchen, he didn’t imagine one day challenging industry giants like Cheesecake Factory. But “step by step, pan by pan,” his company Pudnpudn grew from side hustle to St. Louis sensation.

With support from SQ1 Bootcamp, Ismael learned how to turn his passion into a scalable operation — read more on how he’s taking on the dessert world: https://www.cortexstl.org/newsroom/blogs/we-are-cortex-ismael-wayne

From Eagle Scout to legal entrepreneur — Tony's journey has been anything but linear. After careers in finance, analyti...
10/22/2025

From Eagle Scout to legal entrepreneur — Tony's journey has been anything but linear.

After careers in finance, analytics, and journalism, Tony followed his passion into law, eventually founding Formula Law, a trust and probate firm based in the Cortex Innovation District.

Why Cortex? “One of the draws for Cortex is the flexibility,” he says — and that flexibility helped him grow from a solo practice in a co-working space to a full office suite with amenities.

Learn more about Tony's story here: https://www.cortexstl.org/newsroom/blogs/we-are-cortex-tony-westbrooks

In six days, will celebrate new ambassadors who power our vibrant innovation district. And there will be more to celeb...
10/22/2025

In six days, will celebrate new ambassadors who power our vibrant innovation district. And there will be more to celebrate and be inspired by -- including:

💬 "Why Cortex?" ambassador panel featuring leaders from biotech, entrepreneurship, healthcare and more. During this discussion, the diversity and ecosystem of innovation in the District will be explored.
🧺 "A Night in the District" bundle, valued at over $400! Attend the celebration and enter for your chance to win an overnight stay at Aloft St. Louis, massages at Move by BJC, dinner at Vicia and more!
🍴 And recently announced lunch provided by District restaurants Saucy Porka Park Avenue Coffee Yapi Mediterranean Subs and Sandwiches and Cortex's Square One grad restaurants FUFU n' Sauce Pudnpudn!

We hope you’ll join us for this inspiring and interactive event -- Thursday is the last day to RSVP: https://829195502.planningpod.com/index.cfm?

Cortex thrives because of leaders like LaKecia who activate spaces, people and ideas, weaving it all together. At Filame...
10/21/2025

Cortex thrives because of leaders like LaKecia who activate spaces, people and ideas, weaving it all together.

At Filament, she’s known as the “stitcher,” connecting teams from across St. Louis with innovative professional development.

By leading Thinksgiving and Supercollider — LaKecia builds bridges between nonprofits, businesses, and innovators – all from inside the Cortex District.

Learn more how LaKecia sparks impact through conversation while opening doors for more to experience Filament and Cortex at-large: https://www.cortexstl.org/newsroom/blogs/we-are-cortex-lakecia-veal

10/20/2025

"What’s important to you?"

That’s the first question Theresa asks her patients — and it sets the tone for everything that follows. As manager of WashU Medicine Physical Therapy at Cortex, she leads with empathy, determination, and an eye for personal goals that transform lives: learning to walk again, returning to ice skating, standing up for the first time in years.

Theresa’s ability to turn Cortex’s environment — from ramps to long hallways — into part of the rehab journey is just one example of her innovative approach to therapy.

Learn more about Theresa and her team's work at Cortex: https://www.cortexstl.org/newsroom/blogs/we-are-cortex-theresa-notestine

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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