On November 12, STL Startup Week brings Culture & Commerce Day to City Foundry STL, turning the space into a lively hub of ideas and innovation. In partnership with Greater St. Louis, Inc. and New + Found, the event celebrates St. Louis’s creative economy and the industries—design, real estate, hospitality, entertainment, and the arts—that shape the region’s future.

Programming will unfold across 18Rails and Puttshack, featuring local founders and leaders sharing insights on growth and the intersection of artistry and enterprise.

Featured sessions include:

8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
The Business of Experience: A Coffee Talk on Retail, CPG, Hospitality, and Creative Entrepreneurship
Will Smith, President, New + Found; Gerard Craft & Suzie Makepeace, Niche Food Group
Venue: VIP Lounge @ Puttshack (VIP Pass Required)

9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
From Five to Fifty: Scaling Your Engineering Team Without Tanking Culture or Velocity
Tom Holt, Principal Consultant, OtterWorks Consulting
Venue: 18Rails @ City Foundry STL

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
HR Without the BS: Building a Scalable People Strategy
Ryan Shapiro, President & Founder, peomg
Venue: 18Rails @ City Foundry STL

1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Pour Into You: Building Your Brand & Business with Intention
Joí Riley, Founder, J.R. Candle Company
Venue: 18Rails @ City Foundry STL

2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
From Booth to Brick and Mortar: Scaling Sideways Then Up
Moderator: Carrie Scherr, Filament
Panelists: Madeline Hissong (Damn Fine Pies), Ryan MacDonald (Farmspirit), Nick Williams (Nicky Slices), and Sophie Moss (Sugarwich)
Venue: 18Rails @ City Foundry STL

3:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Creating Spaces that Inspire Commerce and Connection
Steve Smith, FAIA, Co-founder & CEO, Lawrence Group; Founder, New + Found
Venue: 18Rails @ City Foundry STL

4:00 p.m.
Tour of The Foundry and One Foundry Way
Led by Will Smith, President, New + Found
Note: Advance sign-up required; limited availability.

4:30 p.m.
Happy Hour at Puttshack
Venue: Puttshack @ City Foundry STL
Wrap up the day with networking and mini-golf. General admission is free; VIP access ($25) includes a drink ticket, unlimited golf, and entry to the upstairs lounge.