About Cortex
Innovation District
The Cortex Innovation District, celebrated globally for innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship, empowers a diversity of communities by providing the resources needed to shape the future. Home to startups, R&D teams, manufacturers, nonprofits, and creators of all kinds, Cortex is where technology, art, and enterprise converge to grow and connect.
Our Mission
A proud member of the Global Institute of Innovation Districts (GIID), Cortex fuels St. Louis' growth as a vibrant and inclusive innovation hub, creating equitable economic impacts through high-quality facilities, diverse programs that enhance knowledge and networking, and strategic partnerships that support both emerging and established companies.
Fueling St. Louis
Inclusive Economic Growth
Established in 2002, Cortex is the non-profit 353 master developer behind the transformation of an underdeveloped 200-acre area along St. Louis' central corridor into a vibrant and diverse community of people and personalities, who fearlessly bolster creativity, innovation, growth, and collaboration across the region.
Read TEConomy's 2018 Report on Cortex’s Impact
Cortex's Strategic Plan
Target Outcome: An inclusive innovation economy in St. Louis
Strategic Priorities
- Focus recruitment efforts on five priority industry clusters: Life Sciences, Technology, Cybersecurity, Geospatial, and National Security
- Develop pandemic-proof spaces, such as secure meeting space, wet labs, and residential units
- Double-down on entrepreneurship training for a diversity of founders, including expanding Cortex’s Square One programs
- Serve as a talent training intermediary, especially for bioscience, cyber, and tech-related roles
Our Work
✓ Build out the District
✓ Grow & attract quality jobs
✓Prepare a diversity of talent for those quality jobs
Unique Strengths
✓ Globally recognized innovation hub
✓ Power to convene
✓ Experienced regional partner
Strategic Plan
Five Year Goals: 2022-2026
Prepare a Diversity of Talent
- Cortex will expand the number of entrepreneurs trained through our Square One series of programs and activate training partnerships that are both sector-specific and sector-agnostic. We will measure success by tracking skills learned, growth in the number of businesses, and the jobs they created.
- We will build talent-training partnerships that will graduate 1,250 individuals, tracking the number who are still employed two years later.
- 70% of our entrepreneurship and workforce graduates will be women and/or people of color.
Grow Quality Jobs
- Cortex will recruit companies that will create quality jobs.
- We will construct or rehab three buildings within the District.
- We will collaborate on innovation-focused initiatives across the St. Louis region.
