Competition Promotion Toolkit

The Arch Grants Startup Competition is upon us! The application window will be open February 19 – March 31, 2025.

If you have found your way to this page, you’ve expressed interest in helping us reach startup founders who should consider applying. We rely on leaders like you, supporters of our mission, to help spread the word about this amazing opportunity and we always appreciate your efforts! As a reminder, Arch Grants awards $75,000 equity-free cash grants, $25,000 in relocation expenses, and an active support network to founders who establish their early-stage startups in St. Louis.

If you’d like to refer any founders who would be amazing applicants, please share our Competition page and FAQ page with them, or let them know they can reach out to the Competition Team any time. Additionally, you can encourage people to explore our comprehensive guide to St. Louis’ entrepreneurial ecosystem and discover how Arch Grants empowers Founders with local resources and connections.

Please use the sample verbiage and images below to promote the Startup Competition on your social media platforms, in your email newsletters, and in your private outreach to potential Arch Grants Founders.

Our Social Media Handles

LinkedIn (most popular): search “Arch Grants“
Instagram: @ArchGrants
X (formerly Twitter): @ArchGrants
Bluesky: @archgrants.bsky.social
Threads: @archgrants

Sample verbiage

SAMPLE SOCIAL MEDIA POST 1

Calling all bold entrepreneurs! @ArchGrants is accepting applications for their 2025 Startup Competition. $75K-$100K in equity-free funding + an incredible support network in St. Louis await innovative founders ready to scale their ventures. We encourage you to apply by March 31: archgrants.org/competition

SAMPLE SOCIAL MEDIA POST 2

Want to know the best-kept secret in startup funding? @ArchGrants offers up to $100K equity-free (yes, you read that right!) plus an entire ecosystem of support for entrepreneurs who make St. Louis their home base. Applications open Feb 19! Learn more: archgrants.org/competition

SAMPLE SOCIAL MEDIA POST 3

Let’s bring the next unicorn startup to St. Louis! @ArchGrants is offering founders $75K-$100K equity-free grants + VC connections, free travel, expert mentorship, and more through their annual Startup Competition. Spread the word and consider applying! Details: archgrants.org/competition

SAMPLE SOCIAL MEDIA POST 4

Seeking extraordinary entrepreneurs: @ArchGrants is looking for early-stage startups to apply for their 2025 Startup Competition. They fund extraordinary founders who want to build their companies in St. Louis with up to $100k in equity-free grants, plus access to an ecosystem of resources and support. Info: archgrants.org/competition

SAMPLE EMAIL NEWSLETTER LANGUAGE

Arch Grants funds innovative, diverse, early-stage companies with the potential to scale and make an impact in St. Louis, the country, and the world. Through their annual Startup Competition, they award up to $100,000 in equity-free grants plus access to an ecosystem of resources and support to extraordinary entrepreneurs who want to build their companies in St. Louis. Since 2012, they’ve funded over 270 companies with $18.5 million in non-dilutive grants.

The application window for their 2025 Startup Competition is open from February 19 – March 31. You can find eligibility details and apply at www.archgrants.org/competition. Please contact competition@archgrants.org with any questions. If you’re an early-stage startups with plans to grow, we encourage you to consider applying to Arch Grants!

SAMPLE EMAIL LANGUAGE targeting a specific founder or startup

I’m reaching out since I think [insert company name] would make for a great candidate for Arch Grants’ 2025 Startup Competition, and I want to make sure you’re aware of the opportunity.

Through the Competition, Arch Grants plans to award 20-25 innovative, scalable startups with $75,000 non-dilutive grants and access to an ecosystem of resources (plus an additional $25,000 for those relocating to St. Louis from outside of Missouri or more than 150 miles away on the Illinois side). They also offer their Growth Grants program, which awards up to $100,000 in follow-on, non-dilutive funding to Startup Competition awardees who have completed their program year to help them continue their growth in St. Louis. Since 2012, Arch Grants has awarded over 270 companies with $18.5 million in equity-free grants. For more information about Arch Grants’ annual Startup Competition, please visit www.archgrants.org/competition.

The application window is open from February 19 – March 31, 2025. If you’d like to be kept up to date on application deadlines and receive any other updates related to the 2025 Startup Competition, please fill out the brief form at www.archgrants.org/competition.

If you have any questions, please reach out to competition@archgrants.org. Thank you!