Founded in 2002 through a collaboration of Washington University in St. Louis, BJC Healthcare, the University of Missouri-St. Louis, Saint Louis University, and the Missouri Botanical Garden, the Cortex Innovation Community is a nationally and internationally recognized hub of innovation and technology commercialization. It serves as an anchor in St. Louis’ growing ecosystem of innovative startups and established companies.

Cited by the Brookings Institution as a Best Practice among global urban innovation districts, Cortex is home to 380 technology-related businesses and organizations, and it provides a deep pool of entrepreneurial support programs available to the entire St. Louis community. It is committed to growing urban technology jobs, generating new taxes for the City of St. Louis, and creating an inclusive innovation community.