Build a scalable, profitable, and sustainable business
in St. Louis
Access to Capital
Secure funding to grow your business. Our programs connect entrepreneurs with financial resources, including loans, grants, and investment opportunities. Get the support you need to scale up and achieve long-term success.
Procurement & Supplier Readiness
Learn how to position your business for major procurement opportunities. Gain insights into supplier diversity programs, contract bidding, and business certifications that open doors to corporate and government contracts.
Winning Contracts
Turn opportunities into revenue by learning how to successfully compete for and win contracts. We provide guidance on proposal writing, contract negotiation, and compliance to help you secure high-value deals.
Strategic Marketing & Branding
Develop a compelling brand and marketing strategy that attracts customers and drives growth. Our expert-led workshops and consulting services cover digital marketing, storytelling, social media engagement, and customer outreach.
Ecosystem Programs
Our programs are designed to help entrepreneurs thrive by integrating them into vibrant business networks, connecting them to key resources, and providing the tools needed for long-term success.
Entrepreneur Spotlight
Entrepreneurship is important today in most African American households; it’s important for us to pass along the family business to create generational wealth.
Nicole Bailey
Pearlie’s Pickles
Programming to Drive Success
Our dynamic programs are crafted to equip entrepreneurs with the tools, skills, and resources needed to overcome challenges, achieve growth, and build thriving, sustainable businesses.
![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg" width="64" height="64" viewBox="0 0 24 24"%3E%3Cpath fill="white" d="M20 12a8 8 0 0 0-8-8a8 8 0 0 0-8 8a8 8 0 0 0 8 8a8 8 0 0 0 8-8m2 0a10 10 0 0 1-10 10A10 10 0 0 1 2 12A10 10 0 0 1 12 2a10 10 0 0 1 10 10M10 9.5c0 .8-.7 1.5-1.5 1.5S7 10.3 7 9.5S7.7 8 8.5 8s1.5.7 1.5 1.5m7 0c0 .8-.7 1.5-1.5 1.5S14 10.3 14 9.5S14.7 8 15.5 8s1.5.7 1.5 1.5m-5 7.73c-1.75 0-3.29-.73-4.19-1.81L9.23 14c.45.72 1.52 1.23 2.77 1.23s2.32-.51 2.77-1.23l1.42 1.42c-.9 1.08-2.44 1.81-4.19 1.81Z"%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
One-on-One
Business Counseling
Leadership
![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg" width="64" height="64" viewBox="0 0 24 24"%3E%3Cpath fill="white" d="M3 13a9 9 0 0 0 9 9a9 9 0 0 0-9-9m2.44 2.44c1.91.71 3.41 2.21 4.12 4.12a6.986 6.986 0 0 1-4.12-4.12M12 22a9 9 0 0 0 9-9a9 9 0 0 0-9 9m2.42-2.43a6.876 6.876 0 0 1 4.15-4.15a7.03 7.03 0 0 1-4.15 4.15M12 14a6 6 0 0 0 6-6V3a5.9 5.9 0 0 0-2.16.39c-.55.23-1.04.57-1.45 1L12 2L9.61 4.39c-.41-.43-.9-.77-1.45-1A5.9 5.9 0 0 0 6 3v5a6 6 0 0 0 6 6M8 5.61l1.57 1.65L12 4.83l2.43 2.43L16 5.61V8a4 4 0 0 1-4 4a4 4 0 0 1-4-4V5.61Z"%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
Strategic Planning
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Collaborative
Support
Talent Sourcing
![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg" width="64" height="64" viewBox="0 0 24 24"%3E%3Cpath fill="white" d="M11 1H3c-1.1 0-2 .9-2 2v12l3-3h5v-1c0-2.2 1.79-4 4-4V3c0-1.1-.9-2-2-2m0 3H9.5c-.34 1.19-.96 2.3-1.82 3.26l-.02.02l1.26 1.25l-.37 1.01L7 8l-2.5 2.5l-.69-.73l2.53-2.49A8.58 8.58 0 0 1 4.86 5h.99c.31.6.69 1.17 1.15 1.68A7.69 7.69 0 0 0 8.57 4H3V3h3.5V2h1v1H11v1m10 5h-8c-1.1 0-2 .9-2 2v7c0 1.1.9 2 2 2h7l3 3V11c0-1.1-.9-2-2-2m-1.37 10l-.85-2.25h-3.56L14.38 19h-1.5l3.37-9h1.5l3.38 9h-1.5M17 12l1.22 3.25h-2.43L17 12Z"%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
Financing Growth
Individualized Mentoring
![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg" width="64" height="64" viewBox="0 0 24 24"%3E%3Cpath fill="white" d="M12 16a3 3 0 0 1-3-3c0-1.12.61-2.1 1.5-2.61l9.71-5.62l-5.53 9.58c-.5.98-1.51 1.65-2.68 1.65m0-13c1.81 0 3.5.5 4.97 1.32l-2.1 1.21C14 5.19 13 5 12 5a8 8 0 0 0-8 8c0 2.21.89 4.21 2.34 5.65h.01c.39.39.39 1.02 0 1.41c-.39.39-1.03.39-1.42.01A9.969 9.969 0 0 1 2 13A10 10 0 0 1 12 3m10 10c0 2.76-1.12 5.26-2.93 7.07c-.39.38-1.02.38-1.41-.01a.996.996 0 0 1 0-1.41A7.95 7.95 0 0 0 20 13c0-1-.19-2-.54-2.9L20.67 8C21.5 9.5 22 11.18 22 13Z"%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
Business Development
Access to Modern Facilities
Get the latest news
Stay informed with the latest updates, success stories, and opportunities from the Urban League’s Center for Entrepreneurship. Discover how we’re empowering entrepreneurs and making an impact in the St. Louis business community.
- Unlocking Opportunities with MBE/WBE Certification
For minority and women entrepreneurs, getting certified as a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) or a Women Business Enterprise (WBE) isn’t just a formality—it’s a powerful tool for growth. This certification opens doors to government contracts, corporate supplier diversity programs, and… - Urban League Center for Entrepreneurship: TechUp Bootcamp Series Launch a Resounding Success!On Saturday, December 7th, Aleta Grimes Mitchell, Director of the Urban League Center for Entrepreneurship, launched the inaugural session of the TechUp Bootcamp series. This transformative initiative, hosted in partnership with TechSTL and funded by the Minority Business Development Agency…
- Celebrating the Grand Opening of the Urban League’s Entrepreneurship and Women’s Business CenterThe Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis proudly unveiled its Entrepreneurship and Women’s Business Center, marking a milestone in its mission to empower local entrepreneurs.
Join Our Next Workshop
TechUp Bootcamp: Business Growth Strategies in 2025
Saturday, January 11, 2025 · 10am – 2pm
Join us for the TechUp Bootcamp, a free, intensive half-day workshop designed to empower St. Louis small business owners with the tech tools and growth strategies needed to drive growth in 2025. This Saturday session will focus on equipping participants with actionable insights, practical skills, and innovative approaches to scale their businesses in a competitive market.