Join us in celebrating the 2026 cohort and supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Register for the Anchor Accelerator (EIC) Pass to access all Demo Day specific events and programming on April 30th.
UMSL Accelerator Demo Day is the culminating event of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center's (EIC) accelerator program. It celebrates the growth, achievements, and innovative work of the 11 emerging businesses from the 2026 cohort. This event highlights the founders' journeys and the impact they are making in the St. Louis small business ecosystem.
Demo Day celebrates the hard work, innovation, and collaboration of the UMSL Accelerator cohort, while recognizing the mentors, partners, and supporters who help drive St. Louis' entrepreneurial ecosystem forward.
Purpose of Demo Day
- Showcase the 2026 accelerator cohort businesses.
- Provide a platform for founders to present their vision and achievements.
- Connect entrepreneurs with mentors, investors, and community leaders.
- Recognize and celebrate the St. Louis small business ecosystem.
What to Expect
- Live presentations from 10 innovative startups.
- Networking opportunities with founders, mentors, and investors.
- Insight into emerging trends and innovative ventures.
- A celebration of entrepreneurial growth and success.
2026 Cohort Businesses & Descriptions
Blue Reason, LLC - Sam Vanderpool
Transforms industrial byproducts into premium products, reimagining waste as valuable resources.
Cheryl's Herbs - Tiffany Jones
Produces botanical liquid extract ingredients and operates through both manufacturing and e‑commerce channels.
SugarBot - Jackie Huebbe
Specializes in high‑quality baked goods, confections, and ice cream, creating employment pathways for individuals facing systemic barriers.
Unique Visions, LLC - Luke Lieb
Provides custom window film solutions - including tinting, decorative, and security film - for residential and commercial clients.
VBA (Venture Beyond Aspirations) - Jaee Blue
Supports entrepreneurs in turning ideas into profitable businesses through strategic planning, clarity, and structured support.
ASL Aspire - Mona
Increases access to STEM education for people who are deaf and hard of hearing by embedding lessons with deaf scientists into engaging games.
OpCompanionAi - Kenneth Eversole
Builds intelligence systems that analyze software performance and operations to improve how tools run.
Raknida - Anthony Ezeokoye
Transforms how people experience art by making access seamless and immersive while empowering underrepresented artists to earn sustainably.
Timebolt - Doug Wulff
Creates rapid video communication software that automatically removes silence, filler words, and unwanted sections, making editing faster and more intuitive.
Bearded Board Games - Adam Collins
Designs and publishes tabletop games with an emphasis on original, engaging play experiences for gaming enthusiasts.
- UMSL Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center -
Go further, faster, together
The UMSL Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center (UMSL EIC) is a place-based educational community of students, faculty and businesses who see the world through a lens of opportunity.
At UMSL EIC, forward-thinking students, entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial rising stars, subject matter experts, faculty, alumni and stakeholders work together to inspire thought leadership and innovation through education, experiential learning, and shared space. By catalyzing organic connections, embracing a growth mindset, and fostering a vibrant, sustainable ecosystem, we're taking the St. Louis Region further, faster, together.
Championing a vibrant and sustainable innovation ecosystem through grit, connection and a growth mindset.