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.

Whether it’s a non-stop 24-hour hackathon or just an industry networking event, startup culture thrives on blending ideas and sharing experiences with fellow entrepreneurs. Check out the list of events below to get, or stay, involved with thinkers and doers that are making St. Louis awesome.

February’s ‘Trep to ‘Trep features Case Coolie’s Nick Niehaus and Lumate’s Michael Orlando, as they discuss the hows and whys of entrepreneur life.

St. Louis is doing an extraordinary job of encouraging young professionals to become involved in the startup community. Programs such as Arch Grants, Capital Innovators, and others are bringing passionate entrepreneurs with amazing ideas to St. Louis to grow their business…

Since May shed a goodbye to Arch Grants’ former executive director Sarah Spear, the role ‘throne’ has sat empty. As national attention continues to pour in for Arch Grants, the board has faced growing pressure to add a face to its crucial fundraising efforts. Cue Ginger Imster…

Capital Innovators has just shared its approaching class of startups for Spring 2014 program. The myriad talents of the incoming startups promise continued diversity within Capital Innovators, not to mention growth within the downtown marketplace. Check out details on Capital Innovators’ five new startups…

The life of an entrepreneur is known to contain more ups, downs, and excitement than even the most thrilling of theme park rides. If you asked an entrepreneur to describe

Check out the must-attend events in St. Louis’ startup scene for January 2014.

Beware the wrath of an entrepreneur interrupted from ‘the zone’. T-REx startups are known to work past 5 pm, before 8 am, through the night, and so on. However with the growing number of great restaurants downtown and T-REX’s new home (in the middle of it all) on Washington Ave, lunch is getting hard to skip. Check out where T-REX likes to refuel come noon.