[ArchGrants]

This is the last comment I noticed on this post so I'm going to address it. Full disclosure: I'm the aforementioned Exec Director of Arch Grants so I'm a tad bit biased. In an effort to enhance St. Louis' entrepreneurial ecosystem, Arch Grants is awarding $50k + immense support services (free legal and accounting services, reduced commercial and residential rent, business mentoring, access to university support, etc.) to startups. Like Israel pointed out, there are challenges with the model that we're addressing but perhaps more importantly, we're asking ourselves, "can we attract tomorrow's entrepreneurs to St. Louis by providing unencumbered grant funding?" Your comment hints at the fact that entrepreneurs will be doing what they do best, whether we fund them or not, similar to how students have to attend class anyway. As we see it, why not throw our support behind those entrepreneurs and fund their efforts in hopes that the funding leads to successful companies?