MTC leader resigning, calls for a new voice to lead fight for Missouri entrepreneurship funding

A leadership change at the Missouri Technology Corporation comes as the state faces a crossroads with its approach to entrepreneurship support, officials said Tuesday, reacting to news of a high-profile resignation just three months after the public-private partnership lost key financial support from lawmakers and a new governor.

“It’s time for MTC to be led by a new voice. A voice that can hopefully overcome recent challenges and work with our allies, including Gov. Kehoe, in Jefferson City to restore funding to the organization,” said Jack Scatizzi, announcing on LinkedIn his resignation as the leader of MTC after more than five years (most recently serving as executive director and CEO).

Scatizzi will step down at the end of January 2026, remaining in his role during the transition while MTC’s board of directors begins its search for new leadership, according to a message from Dan Cobb, board chair.

In May, legislators slashed MTC’s funding to zero — three years after former Gov. Mike Parson raised its allotment to a historic $31 million (and it later was awarded $95 million from the federal government to boost startup and small business growth in Missouri).

An Aug. 7 report released by Scatizzi detailed the planned suspension of four MTC programs — the Physical Infrastructure Grant program; Regional Node Grant program; Proof of Concept IDEA Fund; and Limited Partner activities — attributed to the funding cut, as well as efforts to strategically reallocate unobligated state funds and reserve capital to sustain several critical grant-based programs.

Dedric Carter, then board chair for MTC; Jack Scatizzi, executive director for MTC; Donn Rubin, president and CEO at BioSTL and director for MTC; and Charlie Bolten, then-president and senior managing director of BioGenerator Ventures; on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange during the Benson Hill listing/bell ringing ceremony. MTC and BioGenerator Ventures were two of the initial investors in Benson Hill; photo courtesy of MTC

MTC focuses on the life sciences and technology industries. Its direct investments through its state-sponsored venture capital program (IDEA Fund) have generated an outsized impact across the region by supporting more than 165 high-growth technology-focused companies — like Kansas City-based govtech solution PayIt and terminal truck maker Orange EV — that have collectively raised $2.2 billion in private capital and created over 8,000 Missouri jobs, according to the organization.

“Jack stepped into MTC during a pivotal time and has been the steady hand and visionary leader we needed,” said Cobb. “He brought stability when it was most needed, developed a strategic plan for the growth of the organization, and then executed it with support from the board of directors. The results speak for themselves — Jack has been instrumental in MTC’s ability to catalyze innovation and entrepreneurship across Missouri over the past five years.”

Click here to read MTC’s full announcement regarding Scatizzi’s resignation.

Beyond company investments, MTC has provided foundational grant-based support for key initiatives shaping the state’s entrepreneurial infrastructure: KC BioHub and Digital Health KC in Kansas City, 39 North Innovation District and BioGenerator Ventures in St. Louis, Cobb noted. These efforts have positioned Missouri as a nationally recognized hub for biotech, agtech, and health tech innovation, he said.

“Jack was one of the first people to see potential in the KCBioHub concept,” said Melissa Roberts Chapman, president and regional innovation officer for KC BioHub. “As a member of the MIT REAP team Kansas City representing MTC, he helped us organize and fund a trip to visit the St. Louis ecosystem. The conversations we had on that trip helped to crystallize the vision that we are working to bring to life today.”

Entrepreneur advocates in Kansas City expressed optimism that successes built alongside MTC over the past few years could continue to build as the organization looks to and advances new leadership. 

“LaunchKC has grown significantly over the past several years and the Missouri Technology Corporation has been a great partner — one we look forward to working with for years to come,” said Jim Erickson, director of strategic initiatives for the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri (EDCKC).

Continued support for the public-private partnership will be critical as Missouri works to boost entrepreneurs in Kansas City and across the state, he added.

“EDC plays a critical role in Jefferson City by advocating for policy and funding that impacts economic development. Along those lines, we have always advocated for MTC and that focus is now more important than ever,” Erickson said.

Jason Wiens, a vocal supporter of increased funding for entrepreneurial support in Missouri, thanked Scatizzi for his efforts to expand MTC programming and increase its impact during his tenure.

“During this leadership transition, we are committed to working with MTC and partners statewide to restore support in the General Assembly so MTC plays an even greater role in spurring entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic growth in every corner of the state for years to come,” said Wiens, director of the NEXT Missouri Coalition.