As 2014 collects growing national attention for the St. Louis startup scene, we are faced with the challenge of continuing the buzz. And even more so, grabbing hold of what it will take St. Louis to reach the “next level” of the larger startup community alongside talked about cities such as Austin, Denver and Washington, D.C.

Odds are generally stacked heavily against the average startup and the potential for failure is high. That being said, a necessity of the select companies that do rise from the trenches is funding and investors. So what formula do smart investors—and smart entrepreneurs—use for success? We asked St. Louis experts to share what the most crucial qualities of an investible startup are.