Innovation and Entrepreneurs

Join Us for a Cup of Joe

Modeled after Kansas City’s 1 Million Cups initiative, St. Joseph’s weekly “Cup of Joe” Wednesday morning gathering is the space for innovative thinkers. Each week, two presenters share their own local entrepreneurial story on the stage and invite the audience for comments and discussion. Everyone is invited to talk shop and share ideas over a cup of coffee, and presenters range from small start-ups to long-standing businesses with regional and national success.

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Welcome to the City that Gets Things Done

Take a look around St. Joseph, and you’ll see that we were the first to invent things like pancake mix and saltine crackers. We invented the gym floor finish where basketball champions stake their claim nationwide, and we make most of the digital signs that shout out to travelers everywhere for a quick gas or lotto stop. This spirit of “making a way” and getting things done continues to take us forward. It’s evident today in our ranking as No. 5 in the nation for start-ups by the U.S. Census Bureau in 2014. We are also a top city for agricultural and life sciences; at the Kit Bond Science & Technology Incubator; the Steven Craig School of Business; and at the state-of-the-art emPowerU campus, to name a few. You’ll also see this energy across our weekly and monthly networking events, task forces committees and new collaborative work spaces — where great minds come together with great ideas.

SUPPORT SYSTEMS AND NETWORKING

The Small Business Development Center supports and assists new and existing small businesses, with most resources and services provided at no charge. Training opportunities, strategic planning and financial management advice are just a few of the ways that the Small Business Development Center helps local companies succeed.

Innovation Stockyard at the Kit Bond Science and Technology Incubator is a one-stop shop for any entrepreneur seeking advice and resources, but it specializes in the animal sciences field. Offering business and scientific consulting, along with office space, Innovation Stockyard makes St. Joseph an attractive location for new business ideas. Each week, grab a cup of coffee and kick back with Cup of Joe, the entrepreneurial kick-starting collaboration that happens weekly. Whether you’re a serial entrepreneur with several thriving enterprises or you’re just testing the entrepreneurial water, you’re welcome to come enjoy the coffee and the conversation.

ALWAYS INNOVATIVE

St. Joseph is uncommon for a city our size … We recognize the “grit” of our beginnings as a westward expansion city and we continue to move forward across key areas of innovation (i.e., science, technology and agriculture). The Chamber of Commerce prioritizes the support of entrepreneurs and local tax incentives make St. Joseph a friendly place for new businesses looking for a home. Check out monthly educational sessions at the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce, or visit a meeting of Leadership St. Joseph or Cup of Joe — just to name a couple of our innovative gatherings.