Capital Innovators

President of Y Combinator, Sam Altman, Hosts Q&A at Wash U

Here’s a recap of STL startup news this week.

β€œWe Want To Hire More St. Louis Startups.”

Sam Altman, president of Y Combinator, one of the world’s most successful and influential startup incubators, spouted insights and advice about entrepreneurship Thursday during a Q&A at the Washington University School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Altman, a St. Louis native, said after the event that the incubator wants to β€œhire more St. Louis startups” and praised the city’s community of biotech startups.

Altman was joined onstage by David Messina, chief operating officer of St. Louis-based biotech company Cofactor Genomics, which YC began backing in 2015. Afterwards, Altman spoke with EQ about the future of biotech in St. Louis, the roles of accelerators in emerging markets and whether he’s considered starting a venture in his hometown.

Accelerator Classes

St. Louis startup accelerator Prosper Women Entrepreneurs chose five women-led companies for its 2016 spring class. They include startups from both the east and west coasts of the U.S. and one from Romania.

The companies participating in the three-month program receive a $50,000 equity investment, access to mentors and training in St. Louis.

Capital Innovators announced six companies that comprise their spring 2016 accelerator cohort. The St. Louis-based accelerator has been ranked among the best in the country.

Each of the portfolio companies receives an investment of $50,000, mentorship and access to angel investors as part of the 12-week program. Four of the six companies in the new class are from St. Louis.

Partnerships

Startup accelerator Capital Innovators will share new a office in the Cortex district with marketing services company Maritz. The two companies are partnering on a four-year lease in the building. Maritz will provide corporate mentorship to the portfolio companies of Capital Innovators.

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