Innovation Central

Across the state, innovators are bringing their ideas to market and creating opportunities around the globe. 

Missouri’s nearly two-dozen innovation communities are located around the state and work to develop the latest innovations for the state’s core industries. With its central location and low business costs, it’s no wonder Missouri is leading the charge for innovation. 

Kirksville
Missouri Rural Enterprise and Innovation Center: This center works with entrepreneurs across a broad range of industries to encourage new and established entrepreneurs in the region through its training programs and business incubator.

Maryville
Dean L. Hubbard Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship: This mixed-use business and technology incubator is located on Northwest Missouri State University’s campus.

St. Joseph
Christopher S. “Kit” Bond Science and Technology Incubator: The location of the Incubator at Missouri Western State University is conducive to fostering animal health and nutrition industries.

Kansas City
UMKC Innovation Center: This university-led incubator supports entrepreneurs focuses on technology commercialization, counseling, education and provides access to resources.

Joplin
Joseph Newman Innovation Center: The Innovation Center provides affordable office space and assistance for entrepreneurs across industries.

Springfield
Jordan Valley Innovation Center: A 75,000-sq.-ft. facility that fosters engineering, biomedical and life science research and development in a collaborative environment operated by Missouri State University.

Columbia
Missouri Innovation Center: MIC offers life science and tech startups with resources through its Mid-Mo Tech Incubator, business mentoring and lab space.

Rolla
Missouri Enterprise: This organizations works with innovative Missouri manufacturers and provides a range of business, technical and manufacturing optimization services.

Cape Girardeau
Southeast Innovation Center: Located on Southeast Missouri State University’s campus, the center provides entrepreneurship education and opportunities. The university’s Economic and Business Development Center facilities businesses and entrepreneurs with personal enrichment, professional development as well as workforce development.

St. Louis 
BRDG Park: Pronounced “bridge,” this bioscience research park is located in the Danforth Plant Science Center and hosts plant, life science and clean-tech companies.

Center for Emerging Technologies: CET is the largest and oldest innovation center in the state and works with early-stage, high-growth IT, bioscience, consumer products and manufacturing companies. 

Cortex Innovation Community: A 200-acre innovation hub and technology district that works with bioscience and technology research, development and commercialization. 

Helix Center Biotech Incubator: Located near the Danforth Plant Science Center and BRDG Park, this incubator provides resources for bioscience, agricultural technology and plant science startups.

39 North: A 600-acre innovation hub in Creve Coeur designed to foster innovation and opportunities for plant science research and commercialization of products. 

STL VentureWorks (Grand Center, South County, Wellston, West County): These incubators located across the St. Louis region, provide affordable office, warehouse and production space for startups, early-stage and small- to mid-sized businesses. 

T-REX: A coworking space and technology incubator provides entrepreneurs with business support and is home to more than 200 companies, 180 of which are startups.