InvestMidwest returns to St. Louis May 6-7 for Midwest venture capital forum’s 25th year

ST. LOUIS — About 50 startups — including some of Kansas City’s most high-profile emerging companies — are expected to pitch to more than 100 investors May 6-7 when the InvestMidwest conference turns St. Louis into the gateway to innovation. 

“On the 25th anniversary of InvestMidwest, it’s great to be back in St. Louis where it all started,” said Claire Kinlaw, executive director of the regional venture forum, which alternates annually between Missouri’s two biggest cities. “This year’s event will continue to grow the Midwest into an even stronger place to build, fund, and grow startups.”

The showcase — with events dispersed between Saint Louis University and the Angad Arts Hotel in the Grand Center Arts District — brings together high-growth startups, investors, and support organizations with a focus on medtech, agrifood, and digital sectors like geospatial, supply chain, and fintech.

Click here to check out the schedule for InvestMidwest and here to register.

Among the companies set to pitch: a trio of Startland News’ Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2025 — Raise Health (Craig Mason), Scout (Gonzalo Erdozain), and Trially (Kyle McAllister).

In its 25-year run, InvestMidwest has helped more than 740 Midwestern companies connect with investors, raising a total of nearly $5 billion in funding — and generating incalculable innovation, organizers said.

“Supporting entrepreneurs and the startups they found creates jobs and increases innovation,” said Tony Wyche, chief communications officer for Greater St. Louis, Inc. “We already have a worldclass startup community here in St. Louis, and InvestMidwest bolsters its growth, creating the vital connections necessary for ensuring those startups thrive, especially in key growth industries.” 

Attendees can expect a mix of on-stage content, structured networking sessions, smaller invite-only sessions, and one-on-one meeting time, creating varied opportunities to build the trust-based relationships that enable successful deals.

“InvestMidwest was truly a great experience for Marma,” said Meredith McAllister, co-founder of Marma, who attended the Kansas City summit in 2024. “Beyond expanding our regional network, it connected us with industry-specific investors and founders facing similar challenges. These relationships directly led to funding conversations and a potential strategic partnership. The most valuable outcome was building an informal support network of peer founders across the Midwest who continue to share insights and resources long after the event ended.”

JQ Sirls, Storytailor, speaks in April during a panel at Avila University; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

2025 startup participant JQ Sirls, founder of Kansas City-based Storytailor, joined InvestMidwest in 2024 and was invited to pitch then, he said, but the timing wasn’t right.

“I was a fish out of water and didn’t really have mentors around who could coach me into what to expect and how to get the most from it,” he said. “This year, I know.”

The experience last year gave Sirls insight into where he should focus — and what to avoid, he said.

“As a founder, don’t get into the weeds of changing you or your company to fit the investors,” Sirls advised fellow entrepreneurs set to pitch at the event in May. “Know your business, know your numbers, know your traction, know who what you do and will not do, and come with an objective.”

Marma’s McAllister encouraged founders to lean into new opportunities at the summit.

“Focus on breaking out of your local ecosystem bubble,” she said. “InvestMidwest offers a rare opportunity to connect with founders, investors, and mentors from across the entire region who bring fresh perspectives to your challenges. Intentionally seek out conversations with people from different cities, industries, and backgrounds. The regional diversity is what makes this event uniquely valuable.”