Speak at STLSW25
STL Startup Week 2025 is now accepting speaker applications!
Call for Speakers:
STL Startup Week 2025
We’re looking for innovators, thought leaders, and industry experts to share their expertise with St. Louis’s thriving startup community.
Whether you've launched successful ventures, overcome major challenges, or gained insights through failure, your story can help shape the future of entrepreneurship.
Speaking at STL Startup Week connects you with an audience of motivated founders, investors, potential partners, and collaborators — all passionate about building what's next.
Apply today to become a speaker at STL Startup Week 2025 and empower the next wave of startup success.
Why Speak at STL Startup Week?
Speaking at STL Startup Week is more than just being on stage — it’s a chance to be part of something bigger. Each year, we bring together hundreds of early-stage entrepreneurs, creatives, small business owners, and changemakers to learn, connect, and build a stronger St. Louis startup community. As a speaker, you will:
💡 Share your expertise with a diverse, engaged audience of early-stage entrepreneurs, innovators, and small business owners.
🤝 Build meaningful connections with other speakers, attendees, investors, and community leaders.
🌟 Boost your visibility as a thought leader and advocate for the topics that matter most to you.
🌱 Give back by helping others grow, learn, and take their ideas to the next level.
We’re looking for bold ideas, real stories, and sessions that leave people feeling smarter, more inspired, or more connected than when they walked in. If that sounds like your kind of vibe — we’d love to hear from you.
Selection Criteria
STL Startup Week spotlights speakers who bring insight, energy, and real-world experience to our entrepreneurial community. We review each application with care, looking for sessions that educate, inspire, and reflect the diversity of our region. We encourage bold ideas, honest stories, and formats that go beyond the traditional lecture. If it makes people think, connect, or take action — it belongs at STL Startup Week!
Sessions will be evaluated on the following:
- Educational Value – Does the session provide clear takeaways, practical advice, or actionable steps?
- Clarity & Focus – Is the topic well-defined and relevant to our audience of founders, creatives, and small business owners?
- Originality – Does the idea offer a fresh perspective, unique format, or underrepresented voice?
- Engagement & Delivery – Will the speaker engage attendees through storytelling, interactivity, or strong presentation skills?
- Audience Alignment – Is the content appropriate for STL Startup Week’s early-stage and growing entrepreneurs?
💡 Submission Tips
- Include clear learning and objectives and takeaways from your session.
- Highlight your experience or expertise in your industry or topic.
- Educate first! No sales pitches or self-promotion, please. If you’re interested in crafting a custom session that also helps promote your business or services, please look into our Sponsorship Opportunities.
PLEASE NOTE: Priority will be given to speakers who have not previously presented at STLSW, though previous participation does not disqualify you from being selected.
Session Formats
STL Startup Week features a wide variety of engaging session formats designed to inspire, educate, and connect. Whether you're a first-time speaker or a seasoned expert, there's a format for your presentation. Each session block at STLSW is an hour, although many speakers decide to keep their sessions to less than an hour (most fall within 30-45 minutes).
A solo presentation that dives deep into a specific topic or personal story with clear takeaways.
A moderated discussion featuring 3–4 experts offering different perspectives on a shared theme or topic. If your session requires a moderator, we would be happy to recommend or provide one.
Hands-on, interactive sessions that help attendees build skills, frameworks, or tools they can use immediately.
A candid conversation between a moderator and guest speaker that explores personal or professional insights.
A product or prototype showcase with an emphasis on innovation and real-world applications.
Spoken word, music, or other live creative performances that elevate the entrepreneurial experience through storytelling, expression, or celebration of culture.
Application Process & Timeline
Ready to take the stage at STL Startup Week 2025? We’re looking for bold ideas, practical insights, and fresh voices from across the St. Louis region and beyond. Whether you're a founder, service provider, funder, or community builder, we invite you to share your knowledge and energy with our community.
