Venture Café Closes After Pandemic Shifts Startup Community to Online Resources, US

The Venture Café, a key resource for St. Louis’ startup community, has officially closed after nearly a decade of hosting live events. The decision comes as the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a shift in preference towards online resources for entrepreneurs, rather than in-person gatherings. John Land, general manager at St. Louis’ Cambridge Innovation Center, which sponsored the Venture Café, explained that the closure reflects a changing market and funding landscape. The organization’s weekly gatherings, known as Thursday Gatherings, aimed to foster human connections without a focus on hard selling. These events drew up to 900 attendees prior to the pandemic but saw a significant drop in attendance when they were rebooted in 2023. The rise of online programming during the pandemic offered founders and entrepreneurs access to a wider range of tools, reducing the demand for local resources. As a result, in-person attendance became less relevant, prompting business owners to be more selective in their participation. Going forward, the Cambridge Innovation Center and TechSTL will focus on smaller, more intimate settings to facilitate meaningful connections. Although there are currently no immediate plans for a replacement, the model of providing space for entrepreneurs to connect and learn is thriving in other cities. The final Thursday Gathering took place on December 14, marking the conclusion of Venture Café’s impactful contribution to the St. Louis startup community.