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| INTRODUCTION TO INCUBATOR DEVELOPMENTS |
The St. Louis Enterprise Centers and Center for Business Growth are programs of the St. Louis County Economic Council, which provides innovative solutions for start up and small companies. The Economic Council’s commitment to providing supportive services for business growth has resulted in St. Louis County being the leader in new-business starts among all Missouri counties.
The St. Louis Enterprise Centers consist of a network of four regionally located incubators that provide a nurturing entrepreneurial environment for start-up and emerging businesses. As a nationally-recognized leader in small business incubation, the Enterprise Centers offers a variety of means for companies to succeed like:
• Affordable office, retail, warehouse and production space
• Access to business mentors and advisors
• Shared support services
• Connections to capital and financial resources
• Valuable networking and training opportunities
In 2006, the Enterprise Centers celebrated twenty years of success. As testimony to the value of the incubator’s impact, 70 percent of the St. Louis Enterprise Centers graduate companies are still operating and thriving today.
Additionally, Enterprise Center companies have won some the most prestigious small business swards in the country, including Inc. Magazine’s Top 50 Fastest Growing Private Companies and Top 100 Inner-City Businesses, the National Business Incubation Associations Outstanding Incubator Client, and the U.S. Small Business Administration Small Business Person of the Year for Missouri.
The St. Louis Enterprise Centers are home to over 70 companies that represent a diversity of industries in the St. Louis region. Every issue of Enterprise Developments will provide insight on the resources offered through the Enterprise Centers and Center for Business Growth, highlight the successes of both current and “graduate” companies, showcase the individual Centers, and provide information to help your business grow.
Jan DeYoung
Executive Director
St. Louis Enterprise Centers
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| SLCEC COOKS UP NEW KITCHEN INCUBATOR |
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The St. Louis County Economic Council recently unveiled the area’s first shared-use commercial kitchen or better known as the “Kitchen Incubator” for start-up and emerging food-related business enterprises.
Located in the Midtown Enterprise Center, the kitchen incubator will provide nearly 2000 sq. ft. of kitchen production/food preparation area and associated areas for ingredient storage, packaging and office functions.
Targeted companies are start-up or emerging producers of commercial food products and catering companies. Six businesses currently operate from the kitchen incubator and a waiting list for future tenants has already been developed.
“The goal of the kitchen incubator is to support the creation and accelerate the growth of these new ventures”, stated Denny Coleman, President and CEO of the St. Louis County Economic Council. “This will create new jobs in food-related industries by assisting companies during their critical start-up phase.”
Current tenants include Armando’s Flan Factory, Batter UP! Cookies, The Brownie Factory, DB Gourmet Cookies. Additionally, the facility houses TECM LLC and The Hot Dog Factory which are both event and food vendor companies.
“We are really excited about the growth and impact of the Kitchen Incubator”, stated Jan DeYoung, Executive Director for the St. Louis Enterprise Centers. “Not only do we have a number of strong clients already utilizing this facility, but we will also be announcing at least three new tenants for the incubator in the very near future.” |
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| CBG SPOTLIGHT - DYNALABS |
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In 2002, officials at DynaLabs recognized a tremendous opportunity when legislation significantly changed the burgeoning compounded sterile medication market. With the financial and emotional backing from friends and family, combined with a newly found understanding of the market and a detailed business plan, the founders began an extensive search for a new location and additional funding.
DynaLabs was fortunate to have found both with the St Louis County Economic Council. On February 1, 2004, the company leased space in the Midtown Enterprise Center. By July of 2004 construction of the original laboratory was completed and within 2 months was equipped and functional. DynaLabs had launched a total of 6 service offerings that pulled in a whopping $2,502 in revenue from a total of 4 customers.
The following year, DynaLabs continued its growth pattern by adding even more specialties which were partially funded through the Business Finance Division of the SLCEC.
By the end 2005, DynaLabs was selected as one of the companies to be offered assistance through The Center for Business Growth (CBG) program. This assistance included guidance on finance, sales, information technology and human resources. The year was closed out with over 100 service offerings and 100 customers that delivered $276,000 in revenue.
2006 brought additional success with the delivery of a functional prototype instrument, an approved patent and a Business of The Year Award from the City of St. Louis.
With the help of the CBG, a comprehensive strategic plan was completed, sales staff was hired, and various human resource initiatives were completed. 2006 closed with over 200 service offerings and nearly 300 customers that delivered $657,000 in revenue.
“The Center for Business Growth has done more than just act as advisors on our daily operations”, Michael Pruett, Chairman and CEO of DynaLabs stated. “They have been hands on in helping us formulate and implement the future direction of the company.”
Pruett added, “The CBG has played a key role in our success to date, and we hope to have them continue that role well into the future.” |
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| ST. LOUIS ENTERPRISE CENTER SHOWCASE - WEST COUNTY |
St. Louis Enterprise Centers-West County, located at 743 Spirit 40 Park Drive in Chesterfield, is conveniently located off of Chesterfield Airport Road near the Spirit of St. Louis Airport.
This 43,000-square-foot business incubator is noted for the number of high-tech and high-growth client companies it has served since opening in 1997. This very versatile facility features office and warehouse/production space for up to 50 companies.
Center client company industries range from Bio-Technology, Health Care Technology, Homeland Security, and IT Services to Leisure Products, light Manufacturing, Transportation and Distribution, and Workforce Safety.
Graduating companies have included: a provider of nationwide environmental and construction services; a civil engineering design firm; a seller and refurbisher of telecommunications equipment; a developer of human resource benefits administration software; a designer of e-commerce and database tracking systems; a third-party systems integration and support firm; and a sports marketing/sales/fulfillment firm.
Most graduate firms have purchased or are leasing commercial property in the West County area, further contributing to the economic development of the region.
Office spaces in the West County Center range from 149 to 817 square feet with warehouse and production space available from 806 to 1766 square feet.
To find out more about the St. Louis Enterprise Center – West County, contact our site administrator, Mary Jane Parisi at 636-519-4700. |
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| INCUBATOR CLIENT SUCCESS STORY - FOOT HEALERS |
Foot Healers was founded by Clifford Holekamp to create a revolutionary approach to today’s foot healthcare environment. The initial concept of this cutting edge system was created by Holekamp and his late stepfather, Dr. William Kirchwehm who also served as chairman of the California Podiatric Medical Association.
Holekamp envisioned combining a podiatry office and retail foot care products store under the same roof to better serve clients. In 2001, Holekamp was awarded Washington University’s Kupke Entrepreneurship Award and a $5,000 grant to help launch Foot Healers Podiatry Center.
Staffed by Board Certified Doctors of Podiatric Medicine, Foot Healers provides comprehensive treatment for the ankle and foot problems and carries an extensive line of more than 500 foot care products in a patient-friendly environment.
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Foot Healers employees and members of the local chamber celebrate
the grand opening of the company’s newest retail outlet. |
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With its corporate office located in the South County Enterprise Center, Foot Healers opened its first Podiatry Center in June 2002 and now has increased his presence in the area with offices in the Webster Groves/Crestwood area, Chesterfield, and St. Peters. Foot Healers continues to review other locations to address future expansion plans.
Holekamp values his relationship with the St. Louis County Enterprise Centers and credits the facility for helping him with his start up needs.
"The Enterprise Center was of invaluable help in getting Foot Healers started, and continues to be a wonderful resource for me and for the company,” Holekamp stated. |
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| GRADUATE PROFILE - TALISEN TECHNOLOGIES |
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Founded in 1991, Talisen Technologies is a recognized international leader for both Network and Application Layer Technologies. With over 100 employees and $14 million in revenues, the company has established itself as a leading technology industry headquartered in the St. Louis region.
Like many successful ventures, Talisen first started as a dream from an enterprising individual looking to solve a problem. George Brill, the president and founder of the company, was a young aeronautical engineer at McDonnell Douglass when he discovered a better and more secure way for the aerospace leader and its vendors to share information.
Brill brought his idea to life by developing a software solution and then starting his new company in one of the SLCEC’s original Enterprise Centers. Brill soon experienced tremendous growth because of the support, training and connections he made while at the center.
“One of the things I enjoyed the most about being in an Enterprise Center was the camaraderie between all of the business owners,” Brill stated. “We shared our experiences, learned from each other and, in some cases, even hired each others’ services to help further our business.”
Brill added, “Being in that kind of supportive environment really helped build our success.”
In 2002, Talisen Technologies graduated from the Enterprise Center and moved into its own headquarters location in Creve Coeur.
Talisen Technologies is an SBA–certified, minority–owned business that has been recognized on the Deloitte and Touche Fast 50 Program for seven consecutive years. Additionally George Brill was awarded the SBA 2004 Small Business Person of the Year in Missouri.
Talisen manages one of the largest secure remote-access environments in the world. Recently the company experienced success in the development of an enterprise energy management system used by states and large customers to better manage energy savings in real time. |
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| SO YOU WANT TO BECOME AN INCUBATOR TENNANT |
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As a small business incubator initiative, the St. Louis Enterprise Centers’ objective is to assist in the start-up and growth of small businesses. Its mission is to create employment opportunities and expand economic development in the St. Louis region.
An advisory board selects start-up or emerging small businesses that will contribute to the expansion of entrepreneurial initiatives in high growth areas or to the economic revitalization of the area in which a specific incubator is located. We provide entrepreneurial opportunities for minority-owned businesses and businesses owned or managed by women, displaced or downsized employees, disabled individuals and low-income entrepreneurs, where such enterprises meet client company selection criteria.
General criteria used in evaluating prospective client companies:
(1) For-Profit start-up or emerging small business
Being a Not-for-profit organization and/or a personal service company may prohibit entry into the Program
(2) Potential for future business success and growth
Determined by review of business plan identifying business opportunity; realistic financial projections; and the owner or manager’s applicable knowledge and experience, personal financial stability and ability to access capital to meet the needs of the business.
(3) Contribution to the economic development objectives of the St. Louis Enterprise Centers
• Serve the diversity of business opportunities reflective of the St. Louis regional
business environment.
• Expansion of entrepreneurial initiatives in high growth areas.
• Emphasize technology advancement with promising new products and services.
• Assist with overall economic revitalization of communities.
• Leverage efforts of regional community and economic development entities.
To find out more, e-mail us at the Enterprise Center or call us at 314-615-0118. |
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