Our mission is to ensure St. Louis continues to be at the frontier of the world’s growing demand for innovation. 

What is BioSTL?
BioSTL is a St. Louis-based nonprofit organization dedicated to growing the region's bioscience economy. Founded in 2001, BioSTL works to turn the region's world-class research strengths into thriving companies, connect St. Louis to global innovation networks, and build a skilled, diverse workforce. BioSTL serves as the backbone of the St. Louis bioscience ecosystem — bringing together industry leaders, investors, research institutions, and community partners to ensure innovation becomes lasting economic growth.

How and why was BioSTL started?
BioSTL was founded in 2001 by a coalition of civic and business leaders who recognized that St. Louis had remarkable scientific talent and research institutions — but needed a dedicated organization to convert that potential into economic opportunity. The goal was simple: make St. Louis a place where bioscience breakthroughs don't just happen in labs, but grow into companies, jobs, and global impact. More than two decades later, that mission is still at the heart of everything BioSTL does.

How does BioSTL impact St. Louis?
BioSTL's impact reaches across the entire St. Louis region. Through its startup arm, BioGenerator, BioSTL has supported more than 400 startups, made over $50 million in early-stage investments, and helped attract $3 billion in follow-on capital — 85% of it from outside the region. Those efforts have created thousands of high-quality jobs and advanced breakthroughs in human health and plant science. BioSTL also builds the region's talent pipeline and connects St. Louis to global innovation hubs, helping establish the city as a recognized leader in bioscience.

How is BioSTL funded?
BioSTL is funded through a mix of philanthropic contributions, grants, and strategic partnerships from individuals, corporations, and foundations who believe in the power of bioscience to transform St. Louis. These financial contributions are essential to sustaining BioSTL's programs — from supporting early-stage startups to developing the next generation of bioscience talent. BioSTL is deeply grateful to the funders and partners who invest in the region's innovation future.
 

What is BioGenerator?
BioGenerator is BioSTL's startup arm — the hands-on engine that turns bold ideas into successful St. Louis companies. BioGenerator provides early-stage funding, expert guidance, and lab space to founders working on breakthroughs in human health and agriculture. To date, BioGenerator has supported more than 140 startups, invested over $50 million in early-stage ventures, and helped portfolio companies raise nearly $3 billion from more than 200 investors, most of them from outside of St. Louis.

How does BioGenerator help startups?
BioGenerator gives founders every advantage they need to succeed. That includes early-stage capital to get ideas off the ground, access to world-class lab facilities at BioGenerator Labs in Cortex and the Helix Center in 39 North, and hands-on support from experienced advisors. BioGenerator works alongside founders at every stage — from validating a concept to growing a company — and connects them with investors, partners, and talent both locally and globally.

How do startups connect with BioGenerator?
Founders and entrepreneurs interested in BioGenerator's support can learn more and get in touch through BioSTL's website or the BioGenerator website. BioGenerator works with startups focused on human health and agriculture, and is particularly interested in early-stage companies with strong scientific foundations and the potential for high growth. BioSTL also hosts events like Innovators Hour and BioGenerator Startup Connect that are great entry points for entrepreneurs looking to engage with the ecosystem.

How is BioGenerator funded?
BioGenerator is funded through a combination of philanthropic support, investment returns, and strategic partnerships. As a mission-driven investment arm of BioSTL, BioGenerator reinvests in the St. Louis startup ecosystem — putting capital back to work in the next generation of companies. Support from individuals, corporations, and foundations makes it possible for BioGenerator to take early bets on promising founders who might not yet have access to traditional venture funding.
 

What is bioscience?
Bioscience — short for biological science — is the science of life. It is a broad field that uses our understanding of living systems to solve real-world problems. It encompasses areas like human health, medicine, pharmaceuticals, agricultural technology, and plant science. In practical terms, bioscience is behind the medicines that treat disease, the technologies that improve crop yields, and the diagnostics that help doctors make better decisions. It's one of the fastest-growing sectors in the global economy — and St. Louis is right at the center of it.

Why is bioscience important in St. Louis?
St. Louis has deep, historic strengths in bioscience — from world-class research universities like Washington University to pioneering institutions like the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, and major corporations across human health and agriculture. These assets have made St. Louis a true hub for bioscience innovation. BioSTL builds on these foundations, turning the region's research excellence into startups, jobs, and economic growth that benefit all St. Louisans.

Why is bioscience innovation important to the world?
Bioscience innovation is tackling some of the biggest challenges humanity faces — from developing new treatments for cancer and infectious disease, to finding sustainable ways to feed a growing global population. The breakthroughs happening in labs and startups today will shape the health and food security of future generations. St. Louis is contributing to that global effort, with companies and researchers here developing solutions that improve lives around the world.
 

What does "innovation ecosystem" mean?
An innovation ecosystem is the interconnected network of people, organizations, and resources that work together to turn new ideas into real-world impact. It includes startups, research institutions, investors, corporations, government agencies, and community partners — all playing different roles but working toward a shared goal of driving innovation and economic growth. A healthy ecosystem is greater than the sum of its parts: when these players collaborate and support each other, the whole region benefits.

How is St. Louis' ag ecosystem unique?
St. Louis is home to one of the world's strongest clusters of agricultural science and industry. The region hosts globally recognized institutions like the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, major agribusiness corporations, and innovative agtech startups — all within close proximity. This concentration of talent, research, and industry creates a rare environment where scientific breakthroughs in plant science and sustainable agriculture can quickly move from the lab to the field to the market.

Why is this important to St. Louis' future?
Agriculture is one of the defining industries of St. Louis' past — and it has enormous potential to shape the region's future. As the world grapples with food security, climate change, and sustainable farming, the demand for agtech innovation is only growing. St. Louis is uniquely positioned to lead that charge, attracting global entrepreneurs and investment in the process. A thriving ag innovation ecosystem means more companies, more jobs, and a stronger, more diversified economy for the entire region.

What is BioSTL's role in the region's ag ecosystem?
BioSTL plays a catalytic role in St. Louis' agricultural innovation ecosystem. Through BioGenerator, BioSTL supports agtech startups with early-stage funding, lab space, and hands-on guidance. BioSTL also connects St. Louis to global ag innovation networks through international partnerships and its annual BioSTL Global AgriFood Innovation Summit, which brings together farmers, entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders from around the world
 

What does "innovation ecosystem" mean?
An innovation ecosystem is the interconnected network of people, organizations, and resources that work together to turn new ideas into real-world impact. It includes startups, research institutions, investors, corporations, government agencies, and community partners — all playing different roles but working toward a shared goal of driving innovation and economic growth. A healthy ecosystem is greater than the sum of its parts: when these players collaborate and support each other, the whole region benefits.

How is St. Louis' human health innovation ecosystem unique?
St. Louis has a long and distinguished history of life-changing innovation in human health. The region is home to Washington University School of Medicine — one of the top medical research institutions in the country — as well as one of the largest concentrations of healthcare delivery corporations and health systems in the U.S. This combination of cutting-edge research and major healthcare industry presence creates a powerful environment for developing and commercializing new therapies, diagnostics, and health technologies.

Why is this important to St. Louis' future?
Human health innovation is a high-growth, high-impact sector — and St. Louis is well-positioned to be a major player on the national stage. As demand for new medical solutions continues to grow, the region's research strengths and healthcare infrastructure give St. Louis startups a real competitive advantage. A thriving health innovation ecosystem attracts global investors and talent, creates high-quality jobs, and ensures that the breakthroughs happening in St. Louis labs reach patients around the world.

What is BioSTL's role in the region's human health ecosystem?
BioSTL is a driving force in St. Louis' human health innovation ecosystem. Through BioGenerator, BioSTL invests in and supports early-stage health startups — from therapeutics and diagnostics to medical devices and digital health. BioSTL also works to strengthen the region's global connections through the annual BioSTL Global Health Innovation Summit, which brings together Missouri's healthcare industry leaders, investors, and global startups to spark partnerships and showcase St. Louis' growing influence in solving health challenges worldwide.
 

What is bioscience workforce development?
Bioscience is a broad field that touches nearly every part of our lives — from the medicines we take to the food we eat. It includes life sciences, agriculture, healthcare, biomanufacturing, and logistics. Bioscience workforce development is the work of making sure people in St. Louis have the skills, credentials, and connections to access good jobs in this growing industry. BioSTL's Education to Workforce programs are designed to build that pipeline — connecting talent to opportunity and helping employers find the skilled workers they need to grow.

Does BioSTL only support bioscience jobs?
Not entirely! On the industry side, BioSTL's partners are focused on bioscience — but our commitment to education goes broader than that. We support STEM education as a whole, because we believe that strong science, technology, engineering, and math skills make the entire region stronger. That's why our K–12 programs are designed to spark curiosity and build foundational skills in students across St. Louis, whether or not they eventually pursue a bioscience career. A stronger STEM pipeline benefits everyone. Learn more on our Educators page.

What kinds of jobs can BioSTL programs help me prepare for?
BioSTL's programs prepare participants for a wide range of careers in the bioscience and innovation economy — from entry-level and middle-skill roles to pathways into higher-skill positions. Examples include lab technician, quality control analyst, biomanufacturing production assistant, and clinical research support staff. Through short-term technical training, internships, and credentialing programs, participants gain hands-on, practical skills that are directly aligned with what local employers are looking for. Learn more on our Talent page. 

How does BioSTL support educators?
We're here to make it easier for educators to bring bioscience and STEM to life in the classroom — and beyond it. BioSTL provides educators with resources, professional development opportunities, mentors, and classroom speakers from the bioscience industry. We also run the St. Louis Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Scholarship competition and showcase, which gives students a real-world platform to demonstrate their STEM skills. Our goal is to help educators connect their students to the careers and possibilities that STEM opens up.

Do you offer wrap-around services for program participants?
Yes — because we know that access to training isn't just about having the time and skills. Real obstacles like transportation and childcare can make it hard to participate, and we take that seriously. All participants in our MO-BEST training program have access to wrap-around supports, including transportation assistance, childcare reimbursement, and other services designed to reduce barriers and help people complete their training successfully. We want our programs to be accessible to everyone.

What is an apprenticeship, and why is BioSTL focused on them?
An apprenticeship is a paid, job-based training program that combines real on-the-job experience with classroom instruction. Apprentices work alongside experienced professionals while also building their knowledge through structured coursework — and they earn a wage throughout, which typically grows as their skills develop. BioSTL is excited about apprenticeships because the evidence is clear: they develop highly skilled workers, lead to strong job retention, and deliver a significant return on investment for both employers and participants. For individuals, apprenticeships offer a clear career path, full-time pay, hands-on experience, and high completion rates — making them one of the most effective routes into a quality bioscience career.

What is the Bioscience Industry Workforce Collaborative?
Since 2021, BioSTL has led the Bioscience Industry Workforce Collaborative — a regional effort that brings together employers, training providers, and community partners to align on workforce priorities and share resources and best practices. Think of it as a collective effort to make sure the people and organizations working on workforce challenges in St. Louis are pulling in the same direction. In 2026, BioSTL is taking this work even further by launching four focused subcommittees: one focused on foundational supports that help every St. Louisan build the skills and confidence to pursue a STEM career; one developing accessible career pathway tools to help people find their footing in bioscience; one creating stackable training opportunities so learners can build credentials over time; and one advancing hiring, retention, and advancement practices — like earn-and-learn models — that help people move seamlessly from training into quality jobs. Each subcommittee will define shared goals, identify what works, and help build the systems that make those best practices easier to apply across organizations throughout the region.