BUILDING A COMMUNITY OF INNOVATORS IN THE HEART OF ST. LOUIS
Founded in 2002, Cortex is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that oversees the development of the Cortex Innovation Community, a 200-acre urban hub of innovation and entrepreneurship located in St. Louis, Missouri.
Founded by Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis University, University of Missouri - St. Louis, BJC Healthcare, and the Missouri Botanical Garden, it is one of the region’s largest innovation campuses, physically designed and actively curated to accelerate high-growth startups and advance established innovative corporates. Cortex is a nationally and internationally recognized innovation hub that supports all technology sectors.
At Cortex, we believe that entrepreneurship is an avenue to personal empowerment, and we strive to create a place where businesses and the people who create, work for and access them are supported. We do this work to make the St. Louis region globally competitive.
The Cortex Innovation Community sits between St. Louis’ Central West End and Forest Park Southeast neighborhoods, and is surrounded by nationally ranked universities and medical centers.
We are growing in the middle of a network of cultural assets, historic neighborhoods, and public spaces, including the Grand Center Arts District, Forest Park, Central West End, and the Grove.
We are a place for big thinkers and risk takers.
Our district is home to technology-related startups, corporate research and development teams, manufacturers, nonprofit organizations, restaurants, innovation meeting space, entrepreneurs, artists, designers, side-hustlers, researchers, chefs, students -- anyone who wants to build a product, grow a business, throw a party, or make connections.