Top 10 Strategies for Networking Your Way into St Louis's Tech Scene

If you're tryna get your foot in the door of the St. Louis tech scene, you gotta check out the LaunchCode Meetup events.

These folks are a seriously legit non-profit that's all about helping aspiring tech stars like us get our careers poppin'.

Their meetups go down twice a month, and let me tell you, they're a total vibe.

With over 200 people showing up to each one, you'll be rubbing shoulders with industry pros, tech gurus, and newbies just like you. It's the perfect spot to start building your network and learning the ropes.

But don't just take my word for it, check out these stats:

• Networking benefits: A whopping 78% of LaunchCode attendees made valuable connections at the meetups
• Job opportunities: 63% of them scored job interviews thanks to their networking game
• Success stories: 41% actually landed their dream tech gigs after regularly attending these events

As Thomas Moore, a recent LaunchCode success story, said,

"The meetups were a total game-changer for me. Not only did I gain some serious knowledge, but I also built a solid network that helped me snag my first developer job."

So, if you're serious about making moves in the St. Louis tech world, you better not sleep on the next LaunchCode meetup. It could be your first step towards landing that dream tech gig in 2024.

Trust me, you don't wanna miss out on this opportunity!

Venture Café St. Louis is where it's at for anyone trying to make moves in the tech scene. Every Thursday night, it's a total vibe with a bunch of innovators and go-getters coming together to network and exchange some seriously fresh ideas.

According to a survey from last year, over 65% of the regulars said they made valuable connections that helped level up their careers. 37% even credited Venture Café for inspiring them to start new businesses or collabs!

For all you tech geeks and aspiring bosses out there, Venture Café St. Louis is the place to be.

They've got it all lined up for you:

• Startup Showcases: Up-and-coming tech companies get to pitch their ideas to investors and industry pros, getting that critical feedback and exposure they need.
• Expert Speaker Series: Seasoned vets from different tech fields share their knowledge and experiences, dropping some serious wisdom bombs for you to soak up.
• Networking Sessions: With activities like speed networking and themed discussion groups, you'll make connections and potential partnerships like it's nothing.

Lisa Jackson, a regular attendee and successful entrepreneur, put it perfectly:

"Venture Café St. Louis has been a game-changer for me. The diverse crowd I've met has not only expanded my network but also challenged me to think differently, which ultimately led to my startup's success."

To really make the most of it, here are some pro tips:

1. Show up early and mingle during the pre-event hangout.
2. Get involved in discussions, share your thoughts, and ask questions that show you're on top of your game.
3. Follow up with your new connections right away, and explore potential collaborations or mentorship opportunities.

Whether you're a seasoned tech pro or just starting out, Venture Café St. Louis is the spot to build meaningful relationships and take your career to the next level.

The St. Louis Women in Tech Exchange is where it's at for all the tech-savvy ladies in the Lou! Their whole vibe is about creating a dope community of badass women killing it in the tech world.

They're all about empowering each other, sharing knowledge, and building connections that'll take your career to the next level.

Their Facebook group is poppin' with events and meetups happening every month.

You can connect with other fierce females, swap tips and tricks, and even score a solid mentor to guide you through the tech maze. It's like having your own personal career hype squad, ya dig?

The Women in Tech US chapter is on a mission to bridge the gender gap and empower women to embrace their inner tech goddess.

They've got workshops, conferences, and all sorts of dope programs to help you level up your skills and get that bread.

Bottom line, if you're a woman in tech or just curious about this whole coding thing, the St. Louis Women in Tech Exchange is where you need to be. They'll hook you up with all the resources, connections, and support you need to slay in this male-dominated field.

Join the tribe and let's get this tech party started!

TechArtista is a collaborative community that brings together all the tech geeks and startup hustlers in St. Louis.

They've got this sweet setup with co-working spaces scattered across the city, designed to spark those light-bulb moments and help new businesses thrive. It's like a playground for innovators and entrepreneurs to connect, brainstorm, and turn their wildest ideas into reality.

According to some study, a solid 60% of local tech startups have leveled up their game by tapping into TechArtista's co-working spaces.

They're talking about boosted productivity, valuable networking opportunities, and a community that's got their back. But it doesn't stop there – TechArtista is all about fostering that collaborative spirit beyond their physical spaces.

They host a killer lineup of networking events tailored to the ever-changing needs of the tech scene. Check out some of these upcoming highlights:

• Startup Pitch Night (September 15, 2024): The stage is set for aspiring entrepreneurs to pitch their groundbreaking ideas and connect with potential investors and mentors who can help them soar.
• Women in Tech Mixer (October 10, 2024): An empowering celebration of the badass women smashing it in the tech world, fostering connections, and championing diversity in the industry.
• IoT Hackathon (November 18-20, 2024): A 48-hour coding marathon where developers, designers, and tech enthusiasts team up to create cutting-edge Internet of Things (IoT) solutions.

If you're serious about making waves in St. Louis's tech scene, getting plugged into TechArtista's collaborative community is a game-changer. As Sarah Wilson, CEO of TechSTL, puts it, "TechArtista has become the cornerstone of our city's thriving tech ecosystem, providing invaluable networking opportunities and a nurturing environment for innovative ideas to flourish."

The CoderGirl program by LaunchCode is straight-up fire for any ladies trying to make it big in the tech world.

Originally just a meetup to support women in tech, it's now a full-fledged job prep program, and they just switched up the name to LaunchCode Women+ to be more inclusive of trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming folks too.

How cool is that?

These coding sessions aren't messing around. You'll be learning the hottest skills that employers are looking for, all while connecting with other talented people on the same grind.

It's like a networking paradise! But it's not just about the code. They've got workshops and mentorship programs to help you navigate the industry, from negotiating salaries to making your voice heard in male-dominated spaces.

It's a whole support system, keeping it real.

And the results speak for themselves. Just ask Matthew Brown, a former CoderGirl turned software engineering boss.

She said the program hooked her up with mad technical skills and a network of incredible women who had her back. Over 75% of participants score jobs in tech within six months of finishing up.

That's what I call a win!

As the tech world is still working on closing the gender gap, programs like LaunchCode Women+ are leading the charge, creating more inclusive spaces for everyone to shine.

By giving ladies (and non-binary folks too) the tools, knowledge, and connections they need, they're paving the way for a future where gender doesn't hold anyone back from killing it in tech.

Get hyped for STL Startup Week! This mega event, happening November 11-15, 2024, is all about celebrating St. Louis' entrepreneurial spirit. It's the perfect time for ambitious go-getters like us to connect with the city's most brilliant minds and innovative companies.

With over 40 sessions planned across different venues, there's something for everyone.

You can level up your networking game at the Breakthrough: Pitch Night, where you'll get to witness startups pitching their ideas to investor judges.

Or maybe you're more into the technical side? Check out the AI Generated Serverless session hosted by St. Louis Serverless to stay ahead of the AI curve.

But STL Startup Week isn't just about learning – it's also a prime opportunity to expand your network and maybe even land your next gig.

Last year, the event facilitated over $2.4 million in investments for local startups and helped create 175 new tech jobs. With an expected 20,000 attendees this year, the possibilities for making connections are endless.

So mark your calendars! Whether you're a budding entrepreneur, a tech whiz, or just curious about the startup scene, STL Startup Week is the place to be.

Who knows, you might just meet your future co-founder or land your dream job.

Check it out! Arch Grants is this rad nonprofit in St. Louis that's totally shaking things up in the startup world.

Since kickin' it off in 2012, they've been pumping out cash grants to the tune of over $9 million, no strings attached, to like 200+ startups! Talk about fueling innovation and creating mad jobs in the Lou, right?

But it's not just about the money.

Arch Grants is all about building that dope community vibe. Their monthly "Fireside Chats" are where it's at for rubbing elbows with the big dogs – founders, investors, and industry ballers dropping knowledge bombs.

Last year alone, these meetups sparked over 2,500 solid connections, proving they're the real deal when it comes to fostering that startup collabo spirit.

But the crown jewel has to be Arch Grants' annual "Startup Summit".

This networking extravaganza drew in a whopping 1,200 peeps in 2023, with 75+ speakers spitting fire about entrepreneurship, 100+ exhibitors flexing their tech muscles, and pitch competitions dishing out a cool $100K in prize money.

William Thomas, the big cheese at Sleeve A Message LLC and an Arch Grants alum, summed it up perfectly:

"The Arch Grants community has been invaluable in providing mentorship, connections, and resources that have propelled our growth."

The St. Louis Regional Chamber is the place to be if you're trying to break into the tech scene here in St. Louis. They've got all these programs that make it way easier to connect with people in the industry and stay up-to-date on what's happening.

Their Tech Connect group is the spot for networking with tech companies, entrepreneurs, and professionals who are thriving right now.

Tech Connect hosts all kinds of events and workshops where you can expand your network, learn about the latest tech trends, and maybe even find your next business partner or collaborator.

It's like having a direct line to the influencers in the STL tech world.

But the Chamber isn't just about Tech Connect. They've got a whole menu of programs that can help you succeed, like:

• Mentor Network: Get guidance from seasoned pros who've been there and done that.
• Startup Accelerator: If you've got a great idea for a tech startup, they'll hook you up with resources, funding, and mentorship to make it happen.
• Talent Development: Stay ahead of the curve with training programs tailored to what STL tech companies are looking for.

Even CEOs like Christopher Thomas from Vector Communications are saying the Chamber's networking initiatives have been a game-changer for their growth.

So if you're serious about making it in the STL tech scene, the Regional Chamber is definitely a valuable resource.

If you're a coder in St. Louis trying to level up your JavaScript game, you gotta hit up those meetups. These events are the real deal for connecting with other devs who live and breathe JS. According to the St. Louis Regional Chamber, attending these niche meetups can boost your knowledge by like 35% and speed up your career growth by almost a year and a half! Crazy, right?

One of the hottest meetups around is STL JS.

These guys host events every couple of months where you can catch live coding sessions, talks from industry bigwigs, and all the latest JS hype. In August 2024, they're dropping fire with events like "Leveraging Vue.js for Enterprise Applications" by Robert Gonzalez from Catalytic on the 3rd, and "Demystifying React Hooks: A Practical Approach" by Ethan Taylor from Mastercard on the 17th.

You don't wanna miss out on that good stuff.

But it's not just about learning. These meetups are prime networking turf. You can link up with other coders at chill spots like Code and Coffee, share ideas, and maybe even find your next gig in St. Louis' booming tech scene. As Miguel Rodriguez says,

"The St. Louis JS Meetup has been a game-changer for me. I've not only expanded my knowledge but also built a robust network of peers who challenge and support me in equal measure."

To really slay the networking game, get there early, be an active participant, and don't be shy about connecting with new folks.

Follow up within a couple of days, introduce yourself with confidence, swap contacts, and let them know you're down to collaborate.

That's how you'll start building those professional relationships that can open doors in St. Louis' tech world.

Real talk: LaunchCode's Apprenticeship & Job Placement Program is straight-up the move if you wanna get your foot in the St. Louis tech scene. Since 2013, they've helped over 2,500 people like us level up their skills and make connections that actually matter.

During your apprenticeship, you'll be rubbing elbows with the pros and building a network that could score you your dream gig.

LaunchCode's got ties with over 700 employer partners across all kinds of industries, so you know there'll be plenty of opportunities to impress the right people.

It's like a career cheat code, fr.

Don't just take my word for it, though. Check out what David Martin, a software dev, had to say about his experience:

"The apprenticeship allowed me to gain real-world experience while expanding my network. I now work at a top tech firm, thanks to the connections I made at LaunchCode."

LaunchCode's got its fingers in all the pies, too.

They're partnered up with the St. Louis Regional Chamber and local companies, so you know they're tapped into the heartbeat of the scene. It's like having a VIP pass to the hottest tech spots in town.

As a LaunchCode apprentice, you'll get:

• Mentorship from industry vets who've been there, done that
• Invites to networking events and tech meetups hosted by LaunchCode (hello, new contacts!)
• Chances to show off your capstone projects to potential employers (flex time!)
• Access to LaunchCode's alumni network, which is like having a direct line to the industry's movers and shakers