Confluence Tech Hub

I had the privilege of attending an inspiring talk by my good friend, Jim Eberlin, the SaaS King, who shared his incredible journey in founding and exiting three leading tech companies: TopOPPS | Now Xactly Forecasting(acquired by Xactly), Gainsight (acquired by Vista Equity Partners for $1.1B), and Planful (acquired by Vector Capital Management for $185M). Together, these companies now employ over 1,500 people—a remarkable legacy of innovation and growth. What stood out most was hearing Jim talk about the pivotal role his wife, Randie Eberlin, played in his success. Jim was clear that the success of his companies would not have been possible without Randie’s unwavering support and dedication. It’s a powerful reminder of the importance of having a strong partner by your side through the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. What makes Jim’s story even more extraordinary is how he’s represented the St. Louis region on a national and global stage. Successes like these are often seen in Silicon Valley, but Jim has shown that the Midwest can be a powerhouse for entrepreneurial achievement. Today, Jim continues to make an impact closer to home by giving back to the St. Louis startup community through Arch Grants, the OPO Startups Foundation, angel investments, Confluence Tech Hub, and mentoring founders like me. A big thank you to Randy Schilling and OPO Startups for hosting this fantastic event. Jim, your journey inspires us all to think bigger, aim higher, and appreciate the team that helps us along the way! #Entrepreneurship #SaaS #Startups #TechLeadership #Innovation #MidwestTech #StLouisStartups #AngelInvesting #Mentorship #OPOStartups #ArchGrants #Teamwork

Sponsor Spotlight! - A huge thank you to Dan Lauer, founder of Waterbabies, for sponsoring Demo Day! Dan’s impact as a judge and sponsor is invaluable, helping empower our finalists and the next generation of entrepreneurs to succeed. With a legacy of fostering empathy through Waterbabies, Dan is making a real difference for our local startup community.

?Client Spotlight!? One of our developer teams has been working with Dr. DeForest DDS and Elizabeth Kresock, PhD on their startup X-Ray XR to develop cutting-edge mixed reality AI-powered software for dentists and medical professionals. Earlier this week, as a part of STL Startup Week at OPO Startups, our client placed FIRST ?? at the Confluence Tech Hub 2024 Demo Day. Huge shout out to project lead Jaxon Poentis and developers Asher Garvens, Jasmine Sun, Tahlia Lamour, Yunxi Tang, and Andrew Feenstra. ?? Congrats again to the entire X-Ray XR team; we're excited for what the future holds! ??

Congratulations to the 2024 Demo Day Winners! 1st Place: Dr. Aaron DeForest, X-Ray XR 2nd Place: Denise Williams, Real Document Solutions - RDS 3rd Place: Dan Gower, TimeFront Thank you to our amazing judges—Jim Eberlin, Scott J. Drachnik, Dan Lauer, John Wiemann, Michael Hurlbert, AICP, and MC Randy Schilling—for their expertise and support, and a special shoutout to our generous sponsors: Confluence Tech Hub, Economic Development Council (EDC) of St. Charles County, OPO Startups, St. Charles Community College, I-SERV LLC, WaterBabies, Missouri Technology Corporation, and STL Startup Week. We couldn’t have done it without you! https://lnkd.in/gpYMFtKc

See you tonight at Demo Day! It’s not too late to RSVP if you haven’t already – Join us for a night of excitement and innovation! https://lnkd.in/gHx6kyDc #STLstartupweek #DemoDay #PitchCompetition

Sponsor Spotlight! - Grateful for our sponsor, the Economic Development Council of St. Charles County! Since 1990, the EDC has been a powerful driver of progress, connecting businesses and local government to build a thriving, growth-centered community. Thanks to their partnership, Demo Day is set to be an exciting night for our local startups! Learn more about the EDC: www.edcscc.com

It’s your last chance to RSVP for Demo Day! Be part of an unforgettable night of pitches, networking, and big ideas. See you tomorrow! https://lnkd.in/gHx6kyDc #STLstartupweek #DemoDay #PitchCompetition

Sponsor Spotlight! - Huge thanks to Dan Lauer, founder of Waterbabies, for sponsoring this years Demo Day! ?? This support is making a real impact on local entrepreneurs, helping bring incredible startup ideas to life! Waterbabies is so much more than just a doll—when filled with warm water, it feels like a real baby and gives kids a unique way to practice empathy and life skills. We’re proud to have such a creative and purpose-driven company backing our event! Join us for the live Demo Day event on November 12th! RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/gHx6kyDc

There's still time to RSVP for DEMO Day! Join OPO Startups and Confluence Tech Hub as they showcase three local tech startups in an exciting live pitch competition for cash prizes. The EDC is proud to support this annual event that champions innovation and entrepreneurship in our community.???? ???https://ow.ly/hW3g50U3baq

Big Ideas, Big Wins: Cash Prizes for Demo Day Finalists! ???? Join us on Nov. 12 to watch local startups pitch their innovations live and compete for cash on the spot! RSVP today for an inspiring night of entrepreneurship and bold ideas! Don’t miss it – RSVP now! https://lnkd.in/gHx6kyDc #STLstartupweek #DemoDay #PitchCompetition