This time last year, we were 30 days away from EQ’s online debut. We envisioned Entrepreneur Quarterly (EQ) as an online daily and print quarterly publication that would fill a gap in St. Louis’ media landscape: in-depth coverage about St. Louis’ innovation community.

As we approach our one-year mark, we’re excited to share it’s been a big, busy year. It’s been a big year for the region, too— our innovation districts are expanding, investment is on the rise and we’re (happily) seeing more media coverage of the ecosystem all around.

At the same time, we’re cognizant of the gaps. Where can we create the most value? We still believe that it’s in sharing stories on innovating people, companies and initiatives in our region and fostering deeper connections in the space. We also believe we have more we can do. That’s why, over the coming months, you’ll see some new rollouts. We’ve evolved EQSTL.com, but look for more changes and resources to come. We’re thankful for our partners, contributors and readers for an amazing inaugural year and look forward to growing right along with the community in year two.

Kelly Hamilton
Co-founder & Managing Partner

To borrow from this issue’s Innovator to Know Stacy Taubman, “you can’t be what you can’t see.” In keeping with this sentiment, our summer issue focuses on mentorship, education and inclusion in the ecosystem.

We caught up with GlobalHack as the team launches its youth initiative, we visited the LaunchCode Mentor Center to learn more about LaunchCode’s partnership with Washington University School of Engineering & Applied Science and we tapped local leaders in the innovation space to grade St. Louis on diversity and inclusion within the ecosystem.

Earning stellar marks in other ways are the college entrepreneurs featured on p. 18. These students, currently enrolled at local universities, created successful startups while juggling coursework and social lives (Yes, entrepreneurs occasionally have free time—flip to p. 16 for proof!)

So taking our cue from graduation season, we toast to the class of 2016: the students, the accelerators, the founders, the hustlers. We can’t wait to see what the future holds.

Mary Mack
Editor & Community Manager