St. Louis consistently ranks among America’s top cities for innovation, technology and startups. More than 1,000 plant and life science companies thrive here, making the region second in the nation for jobs in biotech, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and advanced materials.
WashU Medicine is a driving force behind this growth. In 2002, the school partnered with leading academic and research institutions to create the Cortex Innovation Community — the Midwest’s premier hub for bioscience and technology research, development and commercialization. Located next to the medical campus, this rapidly expanding district hosts startups and established companies, along with networking events, hackathons, funding groups and fabrication resources.
Residents praise St. Louis for offering big-city career and cultural opportunities with the affordability and convenience of smaller towns. A 2019 assessment even ranked St. Louis among the top U.S. cities for balanced lifestyles.
The Why St. Louis? series explores the city through the eyes of WashU students and faculty. In this series:
- Affordable city life
- Exploring the #1 city park in the U.S.
- Easy commuting
- A city for foodies