About UMSL Accelerate Ameren Accelerator


ShareEvery organizational leader lauds innovation, so why do so many businesses struggle with the process? Companies’ internal R&D teams can only take their innovation efforts so far. Case in point: Though 93 percent of executives surveyed by Accenture said innovation was critical to long-term success, less than 20 percent of the same pool of respondents said their current efforts were moving the needle. Just as people are motivated by the company they keep, companies are influenced by the partnerships they embrace. Those hoping to innovate would be wise to look beyond their own walls, forming partnerships with universities, startups, and other industry players. Making the […]

3 Steps to Creating a Strategic Partnership to Spur Innovation ...


ShareThe media would have you believe that securing venture capital support and funding is the epitome of “making it” in the startup world. But capital aside, what many fail to realize is that VC partners aren’t always a good strategic fit. Take Fitbit, a company that VCs poured millions into just a few years ago. Unfortunately, the funding couldn’t stop Apple from overtaking Fitbit in the wearable market last year. So when Fitbit was looking to light a spark under its fledgling line of smartwatches earlier this year, it didn’t tap another VC. Instead, it turned to Adidas, the shoe and apparel giant known for reinventing itself. […]

What the Adidas-Fitbit Collaboration Can Teach Your Startup That VCs ...


ShareWhy should UMSL students come to Ameren Accelerator Demo Day? On Thursday, October 26, 2017 from 12pm to 5pm at Touhill, the this one of a kind event will offer students the chance to see some of the latest advancements in clean energy tech! What is Demo Day? Well, the Ameren Accelerator, seven companies were selected to participate in an intensive program to accelerate their clean tech product. At Demo Day, the seven companies will be showcasing their exciting accomplishments. The companies are /blossom, Hyperion Sensors, Omega Grid, Rebate Bus, SensrTrx, Switched Source and WIFIPLUG. Their products range from e-commerce instant utility […]

Ameren Accelerator Demo Day- Experience the Excitement



ShareLeaving the last meeting for the day, Nino thought about his time spent working this close in the entrepreneurial environment and doing real business-related work outside of school which, as he found out, is challenging. It’s no piece of cake; there are seldom any textbook answers this time. He looks forward to absorbing as much as possible during the program so he can equip himself with this experience for the rest of his life. But it first begins at UMSL Accelerate and his go-ahead spirit. Nino Obanor grew up in Belgrade, Serbia, and then moved to the U.S. to start […]

Rise of the Go-Ahead Spirit


ShareUMSL’s first-ever dedicated College of Business Administration building is officially open for business! The building was funded by various corporate donors from different industries around the St. Louis region. One of those companies, Ameren, contributed to provide a dedicated student area at AB Hall. Asides from this contribution, Ameren is continuing its work with UMSL Accelerate for the long-term Ameren Accelerator that runs a cohort tailored to technology startups focused on shaping the future of renewable energy. So, what exactly is all the excitement about? For one thing, business students no longer need to feel like their resources are scattered […]

Cheers to New Business


ShareBusiness mentors, tech-savvy resources, partner connections; sounds like every entrepreneurs dream, right? This fantasy is coming to life in Saint Louis thanks to the new UMSL Accelerate partnership forged with Ameren Accelerator. Partner leaders heading this initiative, who also happen to be UMSL alumni, invited students, faculty, the community (and the press!) for the big reveal on March 31 at the Cortex Innovation Center. Partner leaders are Ameren, University of Missouri–St. Louis (UMSL Accelerate), and Capital Innovators. The Ameren Accelerator is an innovative partnership that will empower energy technology startup companies with resources and capital to thrive in the industry. […]

Flashback: The Ameren Accelerator Launch



ShareRemember when we announced the pooling of money and resources into one spot that was meant to help develop companies and their products toward better energy? This awesome idea came in collaboration with Ameren and Capital Innovators. Fast-forward four months later, and Ameren has announced the seven-startup companies chosen to take on the cohort this season. This decision came after screening more than 200 companies from 31 countries that applied for the program.   The event was a raging success; you could smell the excitement in the air. Students, faculty, professionals, inventors, and investors, all in one room talking about […]

New Pathways to Energy


Share(From left to right: Mohammad Aljamaan, Rajabu Obede, Nino Obanor, Yaniv Dudaie)By Shante Gordon  By now, it’s no secret! Five to seven lucky companies, young entrepreneurs like yourself, will be handpicked by the Ameren Accelerator team for a chance at 100k in funding for their start up plus perks. With orientation and results on exactly which companies are going to be participating, only a little over a month away, we wanted to ask some of the business savvy students who applied how their company will help the future of clean energy, what do they wish to gain from some of […]

My Dormmate Is An Entrepreneur -The Ameren Accelerator Interns


ShareBusiness mentors, tech-savvy resources, partner connections; sounds like every entrepreneurs dream, right? This fantasy is coming to life in Saint Louis thanks to the new UMSL Accelerate partnership forged with Ameren Accelerator. Partner leaders heading this initiative, who also happen to be UMSL alumni, invited students, faculty, the community (and the press!) for the big reveal on March 31 at the Cortex Innovation Center. Partner leaders are Ameren, UM System, University of Missouri–St. Louis (UMSL Accelerate) and Capital Innovators. The Ameren Accelerator is an innovative partnership that will empower energy technology startup companies with resources and capital to thrive in […]

Driving Energy Startups: Ameren Accelerator