Wednesday, November 12 at City Foundry STL
STL Startup Week will bring its Culture & Commerce Day to City Foundry on Wednesday, November 12, transforming the property into a day-long hub for collaboration, conversation, and creativity.
Explore the full lineup of sessions, speakers, and activities.
Register for the week and add your VIP access.
Presented in partnership with Greater St. Louis, Inc. and New + Found, the event celebrates St. Louis’s expanding creative economy and the businesses that drive it. The day is designed for professionals working in fields such as real estate development, architecture, design, hospitality, entertainment, and the arts—industries that are central to the region’s culture and growth.
“When people hear ‘Startup Week,’ they often think about tech,” said Matt Menietti, Lead Organizer of STL Startup Week. “Culture & Commerce Day is a reminder that entrepreneurship looks different across industries, and St. Louis’s creative leaders are every bit as innovative and crucial to our economy as coders and engineers.”
A Day of Inspiration, Connection, and Collaboration
Programming will unfold across 18Rails and Puttshack, featuring local founders and leaders sharing insights on growth and the intersection of artistry and enterprise.
Featured sessions include:
8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
The Business of Experience: A Coffee Talk on Retail, CPG, Hospitality, and Creative Entrepreneurship
Will Smith, President, New + Found; Gerard Craft & Suzie Makepeace, Niche Food Group
Venue: VIP Lounge @ Puttshack (VIP Pass Required)
9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
From Five to Fifty: Scaling Your Engineering Team Without Tanking Culture or Velocity
Tom Holt, Principal Consultant, OtterWorks Consulting
Venue: 18Rails @ City Foundry STL
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
HR Without the BS: Building a Scalable People Strategy
Ryan Shapiro, President & Founder, peomg
Venue: 18Rails @ City Foundry STL
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Pour Into You: Building Your Brand & Business with Intention
Joí Riley, Founder, J.R. Candle Company
Venue: 18Rails @ City Foundry STL
2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
From Booth to Brick and Mortar: Scaling Sideways Then Up
Moderator: Carrie Scherr, Filament
Panelists: Madeline Hissong (Damn Fine Pies), Ryan MacDonald (Farmspirit), Nick Williams (Nicky Slices), and Sophie Moss (Sugarwich)
Venue: 18Rails @ City Foundry STL
3:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Creating Spaces that Inspire Commerce and Connection
Steve Smith, FAIA, Co-founder & CEO, Lawrence Group; Founder, New + Found
Venue: 18Rails @ City Foundry STL
4:00 p.m.
Tour of The Foundry and One Foundry Way
Led by Will Smith, President, New + Found
Note: Advance sign-up required; limited availability.
4:30 p.m.
Happy Hour at Puttshack
Venue: Puttshack @ City Foundry STL
Wrap up the day with networking and mini-golf. General admission is free; VIP access ($25) includes a drink ticket, unlimited golf, and entry to the upstairs lounge.
Elevate Your Experience in the VIP Lounge
For those planning to stay all day, the Puttshack VIP Lounge offers a more immersive experience. Open 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., the lounge includes breakfast and coffee, a lunch buffet, a happy-hour beverage, free mini-golf, and an official STLSW shirt—all in a dedicated coworking and networking space overlooking City Foundry.
“City Foundry has abundant opportunities for team building, making it the perfect platform for spending time together and getting to know each other as human beings and creatives,” said Will Smith, President of New + Found.
Make It a Team Day
City Foundry encourages companies to make Culture & Commerce Day a team outing or end-of-year retreat. Group experiences are available across the property, including Museum of Illusions, The Great Game Show, The Escape Game, Alamo Drafthouse, and Puttshack. Teams can pre-purchase lunch wristbands for the Food Hall and explore discounts and giveaways through the STL Startup Week Passport.
“The growth of St. Louis depends on creatives and entrepreneurs,” said Lakesha Mathis, Vice President, Strategy (SupplySTL) at Greater St. Louis, Inc. “By offering them support, space, and opportunities, we help them thrive—and create the jobs and economic growth that move the region forward.”
Join Us
Culture & Commerce Day at City Foundry is free and open to the public.
Puttashack VIP Lounge tickets are $125 and include breakfast, lunch, a happy-hour drink, networking, unlimited golf, and an official STLSW shirt.
Explore the full lineup of sessions, speakers, and activities.
Register for the week and add your VIP access.
Questions about the event? Email Matt Menietti, Lead Organizer, STL Startup Week at matt@techartistafoundation.org.
Already Registered? Here’s How to Add the VIP Lounge
Existing STLSW registrants who’d like to upgrade can simply return to their original confirmation email and click “Add to your order.” After logging back into your account, you’ll be able to pay for any additional ticket add-ons, such as the Puttshack VIP Lounge.
