SLDC’s Support Provides Opportunities for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at T-REX
T-REX serves as a hub for innovation in downtown St. Louis, bringing together entrepreneurs, startups and partners to catalyze business growth that drives economic impact. The nonprofit technology and innovation center operates with a mission-first approach: Help companies grow without taking equity while fostering a collaborative environment for long-term success. Supported by St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC), T-REX plays a key role in strengthening the city’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Originally housed at the historic Railway Exchange Building—where its full name, Technology & Railway Exchange, originated—the organization now operates out of its building at 911 Washington Ave. The center provides space, programing and resources for businesses across multiple industries.
Why T-REX Matters for Entrepreneurs in St. Louis
St. Louis is a strong place to grow and nurture a business, with a diverse economy driven by industries such as geospatial technology, healthcare innovation, advanced manufacturing and agricultural technology. Combined with a competitive cost of living and access to top-tier universities and talent, the Greater St. Louis region offers the ability to build and scale efficiently.
“What makes St. Louis unique is that founders can build something here, be scrappy and not need a lot of capital upfront, which allows them to retain more equity as they grow,” said Jesse Winters, President and CEO of T-REX.
In the Q&A below, Jesse shares more about how the organization supports entrepreneurs and contributes to the city’s economic growth.
How does T-REX support entrepreneurs at different stages of growth?
Jesse: T-REX offers programs, workshops and educational resources to help founders understand where they are now and how to move forward. We also provide flexible, below-market-rate rental space and monthly memberships you can cancel anytime so entrepreneurs can work alongside others and find a sense of community.
We’re a place where entrepreneurs can “fail safely.” You don’t have to risk everything to try something new. You can test an idea, learn from it, pivot and keep going. Or, if you want to pause your plans and go back to the drawing board, you can.
What does a typical day look like at T-REX?
Jesse: Every day is different. For our team, there’s a steady mix of programing and one-on-one engagement with founders. You’ll also see volunteers, corporate partners, government agencies and organizations like SLDC active in our facilities, along with ongoing collaboration with groups like the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. This mix of relationships creates an environment where ideas can move quickly and connections happen naturally.
What makes T-REX unique compared to other innovation centers?
Jesse: One of the biggest surprises is that we’re a nonprofit. We’re not taking equity or ownership in companies, we’re just here to help them succeed. Our focus is on creating a space where entrepreneurs can access resources and build relationships in a supportive environment.
How do partnerships help power T-REX and what role does SLDC play in that work?
Jesse: Partnerships are in our DNA. T-REX acts as a convener and facilitator, using our connections to help solve challenges, big or small. Whether it’s an entrepreneur launching a new product, a corporate partner seeking solutions or a government agency navigating red tape, we bring the right people together to collaborate and get ideas moving.
Since our inception, SLDC has helped facilitate our growth in downtown St. Louis. By supporting our work, SLDC makes it possible for us to be an inclusive and affordable space—connecting entrepreneurs to what they need for long-term sustainability. Without SLDC’s involvement, we wouldn’t be where we are today.
In February 2026, SLDC’s Board of Directorsapproved continued operational funding for T-REX, extending its long-standing support for the innovation center. This investment comes after years of partnership, including SLDC’s board involvement, office presence within the space and collaborative efforts on initiatives like Project Connect. For entrepreneurs, the partnership with SLDC means direct access to city resources, funding pathways and guidance.
What impact has T-REX had on St. Louis?
Jesse: We’ve helped hundreds of companies grow and scale within our walls. Many of them have gone on to spread their wings across the region, creating jobs, strengthening the local economy and generating more than $1 billion in economic impact.
One example of an idea grown within T-REX is Remvia, a company that developed a product to address teeth grinding. The founder started with a concept and used T-REX resources, like our 3D printers, to develop and test a prototype. Since then, the company has received its patent and its 501(k) clearance from the Food and Drug Administration, won an Arch Grant in 2025 and is gaining momentum as it expands its reach.
What’s next for T-REX and downtown St. Louis?
Jesse: Looking ahead, we want to see the entire City of St. Louis thrive. Our goal is to ensure that anyone who wants to establish a business here has access to the support they need to do it. When that happens, the startups being built in St. Louis today have the potential to become the unicorns of tomorrow.
Get Connected
T-REX offers free events open to the public, providing opportunities for entrepreneurs, innovators and community members to get involved.
“Anyone who wants to get connected can come in,” Jesse said. “We’re here for St. Louis. It’s that simple.”
To learn more about T-REX, visit their website.
For those looking to create or strengthen their business in St. Louis, SLDC also provides a range of resources designed to help entrepreneurs succeed at every stage.