Marshall’s Senior Project – Week in review

In just one week I’ve learned quite a bit especially through hands-on experiences at the partnership. In addition to projects I mentioned earlier, I’ve also began researching past clients of STLVW and compiling a database of all past clients. In doing this I’ve learned what details can cause companies to fail after leaving the
incubator these include, uncontrolled growth, poor market appeal and a weak round of funding It is inevitable that most startups will fail and even in a the best markets, meaning least competive, the majority will fail, but if there was no risk involved there would be less reward. The partnership being partly government agency is heavily affected by local, state and national politics and so it is the job of the leadership to stay informed on such matters. In my I&E meeting we were discussing the possibility of the CDA (community development agency) having its funding cut by a new federal budget, this would greatly affect the partnership as a portion of the I&E budget comes from there. What has been most enjoyable is that a lot of what I get to do has less to do with monotonous work but I actually get to do tasks that involve critical thinking and require a vast knowledge of the St. Louis metropolitan area, and most importantly I feel like th work the partnership does meaningful fulfilling work. Another area I will be researching is inclusion and diversity. As of now the start up community is majority white and male, disproportionately so. The partnership would like St. Louis to change that. The one thing I love most about working at the partnership is the broad impact it has. It is not a charity trying to help the poor, nor is it an investment group trying to get rich an make their clients rich. Its primary goal is boost St.Louis’s economy both city and county.

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