Third Annual Arcus Awards Honor Area Leaders, Companies

At the third annual Arcus Awards this evening, The St. Louis Regional Chamber showed appreciation for those making St. Louis a more attractive place to live, work and invest. Presented by Rubin Brown, the awards spotlighted 64 finalists across 10 categories, selected from hundreds of companies and organizations of all sizes from the bi-state region. 

The winner of each category was announced live. There was also a reader’s choice award this year.

Held at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch, More than 800 executives, elected officials and civic leaders were in attendance to honor the region’s top leaders and companies.

Among the winners were Natalie’s Cakes and More, who took home the Arcus Award for Achievement in Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Owner Natalie Dubose was recognized for her determination and resilience after her bakery was damaged during the unrest in Ferguson.

Square, founded by St. Louis natives Jack Dorsey and Jim McKelvey was awarded the Arcus Award for Achievement in Financial Services. With its recent expansion to Cortex, the payment processing and tech company is projected to add 250 jobs and invest more than $9 million in St. Louis over the next five years.

idea Labs
IDEA Labs took home the Spirit of St. Louis Award from tonight’s Arcus Awards by the St. Louis Regional Chamber.

The Arcus Award for Achievement in Biosciences went to BioResearch & Development Growth Park at the Danforth Plant Science Center. BRDG Park provides world-class research facilities to 14 companies employing 300 people as well as co-sponsors the annual Ag Innovation Showcase to address critical issues and global policies impacting agricultural science.

Several organizations from the St. Louis startup community were nominated for awards, including GlobalHack, LaunchCode, PFITR, SixThirty, Prosper, Tallyfy, Benson Hill, among others.

Here is the complete list of tonight’s winners:

Ameren Corporate Citizenship Award:
Regions Bank

BMO Harris Bank St. Louis Spirit Award:
IDEA Labs

Arcus Award for Achievement in Biosciences:
BioResearch & Development Growth (BRDG) Park at the Danforth Plant Science Center

Arcus Award for Achievement in Financial Services:
Square, Inc

Arcus Award for Achievement in Health:
MedAware Solutions, Inc.

Arcus Award for Achievement in Logistics:
America’s Central Port District

Arcus Award for Achievement in Public Policy:
Better Together

Arcus Award for Achievement in Educational Attainment:
Jennings School District

The Arcus Award for Achievement in Inclusion & Talent Attraction:
International Institute of St. Louis

Arcus Award for Achievement in Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Natalie’s Cakes and More

Arcus People’s Choice Award:
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Eugene B. Redmond Learning Center