Velocity

Startup series for tech founders

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Velocity is Supercharging St. Louis Startups

Velocity, TechSTL’s premier startup workshop series, is now hosted by our partners, Vikram Lakhwara & Danielle Deavens of Stakehouse Fund at The Wedge in downtown Alton, Illinois.

This 6-week long, application-only program focuses on the startup fundamentals first-time founders will need as they grow their businesses, including:

  • Conducting customer discovery

  • Establishing a value proposition

  • Developing a strategy from founder-market fit to product-market fit

  • Sizing up your market and competition

  • Creating a go-to-market plan

  • Building your narrative, creating a pitch deck, and fundraising

Applications are Open Feb 19 – March 3

Startups are able to apply for both the Startup World Cup competition and the 6-week intensive workshop series. Sponsored by Fidelity, Velocity is free to attend and kicks-off on March 10th.

Program Details & Training Partners

Who should apply? Founders of tech-based or tech-enabled high-growth startups from ideation to MVP stages in the bi-state region.

When does it take place? The series starts March 10th and meets every Monday for six weeks; dates are 3/10, 3/17, 3/24, 4/7, 4/14, and 4/28 (off 3/31 for STL TechWeek & 4/21 for Easter).

Where does it take place? The series will be hosted at The Wedge in downtown, Alton, Illinois

Will mentoring be provided? Yes, the training partners will provide 1:1 mentoring sessions.

How much does it cost? It is free! Thank you to our friends at Fidelity Private Shares for sponsoring!

Special bonus: All startups participating in Velocity will have a table at STL TechWeek 2025’s Startup Alley.

Vik Lakhwara

Founder & Managing Member, Stakehouse Fund

Danielle Deavens

Head of Platform, Stakehouse Fund