Donn Rubin

Message From Donn Rubin

In 2001, our founder and my mentor, the late Dr. William H. Danforth, envisioned a St. Louis transformed into an innovation economy by creating a comprehensive ecosystem that engages leaders from business, universities, venture capital, philanthropy, and economic development. The vision lives on today in BioSTL as we establish our region as a vibrant, innovation economy that is collaborative, inclusive, and globally connected.

For 20 years, BioSTL has worked tirelessly to become one of the country’s most celebrated ecosystem catalysts, driving innovation in medicine, health care, agriculture, and more. These domains allow us not only to strengthen our impact on the regional innovation economy, but to help cure disease, mitigate hunger, and improve the human condition. We place St. Louis in the center of solving important world challenges.

Today’s BioSTL is a multi-faceted organization that directly builds and attracts startups, talent, and technology and convenes diverse stakeholders to address regional needs – while embedding inclusion and equity into our programs and the ecosystem. We do this through:

  • BioGenerator, the startup arm of BioSTL
  • GlobalSTL, our international innovation recruiting program
  • People, cultivating a diverse and inclusive community of entrepreneurs, innovators, mentors, and coaches
  • Our role as a convener and organizer of ecosystem stakeholders

As we enter our third decade, we are poised to achieve our greatest impact. We are especially grateful to the many individuals, foundations, and corporate partners who’ve supported our mission. Together, with your continued support, we can advance St. Louis’ innovation economy and its leadership in improving our world.

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Donn Rubin
BioSTL Founding President & CEO