45 high-growth companies from 15 states have been selected to pitch their cases to prospective funders at the 2018 InvestMidwest Venture Capital Forum on March 28-29 at the Hilton St. Louis.

The InvestMidwest selection panel, comprised of venture capitalists, business leaders and executives from across the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, selected the 45 companies from among more than 150 applications.

“The companies selected represent some pretty spectacular fast-growth companies that are seeking funding to power their businesses to a new level,” said Christine Walsh, InvestMidwest Executive Director, “We received strong applications from 19 states across the country and from Ontario, Canada. Our rigorous selection process was very challenging this year.”

Presenters will have up to eight minutes each to make a compelling case for their respective businesses to prospective funders. InvestMidwest will have three pitching event tracks presenting simultaneously: Life Sciences; Technology/General Business, and Food/Agriculture/BioEnergy.

“In addition to showcasing a solidly curated collection of some of the Midwest region’s best fast-growth companies, we consistently attract a great group of investors. We saw about 350 people – including venture capitalists, angel investors and corporate investors – at the 2017 InvestMidwest in Kansas City, and we expect a similar turnout at this year’s InvestMidwest forum in St. Louis.”

Starting with an early evening reception on March 28th, the Midwest’s premier venture capital conference agenda offers numerous opportunities for entrepreneurs to meet privately with attending venture capitalists, angel and corporate investors, and business, legal and financial professionals. The following day’s program of pitches will also feature two keynote presentations.

The event’s breakfast speaker, Dedric A. Carter, Ph.D., MBA, serves as Vice Chancellor for Operations and Technology Transfer and Professor of Engineering Practice at Washington University in St. Louis.

The luncheon speaker, Dan Katz, is Director of Global Public Policy and North American Projects for Hyperloop One.