St. Louis Mosaic Project

About

As foreign-born in the St. Louis region are 60 percent more likely than native born to start a business, the Mosaic Project wants to connect immigrant entrepreneurs to the resources to successfully launch a business. Increasing the number of immigrants who start high-tech or neighborhood business will add to St. Louis’ economic prosperity. 

Immigrant Entrepreneurship Advisory Board: Eight entrepreneurs representing various ethnic groups meet quarterly, host receptions at regional locations for potential foreign-born entrepreneurs, and evaluate the progress of Mosaic Project’s outreach to foreign-born entrepreneurs in the community. 

International Student Entrepreneurs: Sponsor space/prizes for international student entrepreneurs through local universities, ITEN and co-working spaces such as TechArtista.

Annual Immigrant Entrepreneur Award: Develop an immigrant entrepreneur award program.

Neighborhood Business Entrepreneur Program: Neighborhood business ecosystem for neighborhood/retail business ideas providing access to funding, competitions, business plans and space. St. Louis County Library connects immigrant entrepreneurs with training at the regional level. Leverages the International Institute’s business and loan programs. 

High-tech Business Entrepreneurship Program– Connects immigrants with a high-tech concept to groups, including: CET, BioSTL, ITEN, T-REX, STLVentureWorks, and Cambridge Innovation Center. Works with the Arch Grants’ foreign-born winners. 

St. Louis Fellow– Select an entrepreneur to serve as a part-time “fellow” with foreign-born entrepreneurs, leveraging high-tech and neighborhood resources, while connecting them to tools and providing education on business planning.