Get Excited for Arch Grants Gala 2015

Arch Grants will be hosting its third annual Arch Grants Gala ton November 12th Marriott St. Louis Grand Hotel. And, living up to its theme of "Igniting Innovation and Ingenuity in St. Louis," this year's gala promises to be much more than your average fundraising shindig.

Galas can be a tiresome sort of ritual. Complete with the silent auctions, rented suits and pretentious pomp.

But Arch Grants, a St. Louis-based nonprofit supporting entrepreneurship, is making final preparations for its third annual event happening Nov. 12, at the Marriott St. Louis Grand Hotel.

And, living up to its theme of “Igniting Innovation and Ingenuity in St. Louis,” this year’s gala promises to be much more than your average fundraising shindig.

“The Arch Grants Gala is a chance to celebrate two of St. Louis’ greatest strengths: entrepreneurship and philanthropy,” says Ginger Imster, executive director of Arch Grants. “On a night when we are recognizing the boldness of our Arch Grants recipients, it only stands to reason that our celebration should be bold as well.”

10294435426_bf0057a36b
Photo courtesy of Alive Magazine

If you are considering being a bold supporter of the St. Louis startup scene, here are five reasons to secure your tickets now for Arch Grants’ big event:

1. You can leave the black tie at home.

Though the attire is “business,” Arch Grants recognizes that most entrepreneurs are not your suit-and-tie sort of crowd. This makes for a much more authentic evening. Plus, you’ll need to be casual to get your ping-pong game on, which commences directly after the awards ceremony.

10294555213_0dda6e940c
Mayor Francis Slay. Photo courtesy of Alive Magazine.

2. But you’ll still be in the midst of greatness.

As part of the festivities, Arch Grants will honor those that have set the bar for entrepreneurial greatness in the community. Namely, Scottrade founder and CEO, Rodger Riney, who will join the likes of Build-a-Bear’s Maxine Clark and World Wide Technology’s David Steward when he receives the Arch Grants Entrepreneur Award. With big names abound, the event is a hob-knobbing opportunity for startups, investors and St. Louis boosters alike.

3. Welcome in the New Class.

On this night, you will be the first to meet the 2015 Winter Cohort of Arch Grants Recipients. See the future of entrepreneurship during the new recipient class’ demos. Also, representatives from the previous years’ Arch Grants recipients will be out in full force. It’s a powerful experience for investors, boosters and entrepreneurs alike.

10294435186_e2fa17aceb
Photo courtesy of Alive Magazine

4. Become a real part of shaping the future for entrepreneurs in St. Louis—just by showing up.

Arch Grants is one of the most unique entrepreneurship programs in the country. And it’s right here in our backyard. To date, they have funded 53 companies that are alive and kicking with a St. Louis presence, and the gala is your chance to make sure that each year, more worthy companies nationwide are connected to our burgeoning St. Louis community.

5. Of course, you can do more than show up to party.

With each new class of Arch Grants recipients comes new challenges, opportunities and nuanced needs. So this is your chance to apply some of your personal hard-earned wisdom to help local entrepreneurs. You never know. The room will likely have our next Rodger Riney.

Loading