Expanding Economic Opportunity

WashU’s School of Continuing & Professional Studies (CAPS) is launching a new program that prepares adult learners for high-demand jobs in medical and research laboratories. The program will create career pathways for workers and meet the needs of local businesses.

WashU’s direct and indirect impact to the St. Louis economy in 2024 totaled $9.3 billion, an increase of $500 million from 2023. During fiscal year 2024, which concluded June 30, WashU spent $3.9 billion on salaries, construction and purchasing. That money rippled across the region, generating another $5.4 billion in economic activity. Chancellor Andrew D. Martin said WashU’s growing economic impact represents both its success as a global leader in education, research and innovation and its commitment to the region as an employer, health care provider and community resource.  

A new funding program for Washington University in St. Louis-affiliated startups focuses on strengthening the St. Louis region. The WashU Venture Network Follow-on Investments is a joint effort between WashU’s Skandalaris Center for Interdisciplinary Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the “In St. Louis, For St. Louis” initiative. It will award up to $150,000 each year to companies with WashU ties that previously have been awarded funding through Arch Grants, the local nonprofit that awards equity-free grants to startups. The goal is to support startups with a high probability of remaining in St. Louis after the grant period is complete.

WashU Olin Business School’s entrepreneurship program will award two $25,000 grants in December to WashU-founded or St. Louis-based startups.

Washington University in St. Louis has recently been recognized as a top workplace by several organizations. In May, WashU won third place in the giant category in the St. Louis Business Journal’s annual “Best Places to Work” Awards. The annual program measures a variety of factors including benefits and job satisfaction.

Washington University in St. Louis’ Office of Technology Management (OTM) celebrated a milestone this year: Washington University’s 100th startup and counting. Over the past three decades — but most notably in the past 10 years — OTM has worked proactively to help the university’s faculty researchers commercialize innovative technologies developed in their labs. By supporting faculty […]

In an effort to better support employees and spur investment in historically disinvested neighborhoods in St. Louis and St. Louis County, BJC HealthCare and Washington University in St. Louis expanded their Live Near Your Work homeownership and neighborhood stabilization program.