Organization · Grant Maker
Arch Grants
Arch Grants is a nonprofit organization based in St. Louis, Missouri, that supports early-stage entrepreneurs through non-dilutive grants and resources. It runs an annual Startup Competition, awarding grants to startups with high growth potential.
Overview
What Arch Grants does
What Arch Grants is
Arch Grants is a nonprofit organization based in St. Louis, Missouri, that supports early-stage entrepreneurs through non-dilutive grants and resources. It runs an annual Startup Competition, awarding grants to startups with high growth potential.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports funder and grantor and community capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Grant Maker
- Founded
- Founded in 2012
- Approximate age
- About 14 years
- Structured capabilities
- Funder · Grantor · Community
- Last reviewed
- March 13, 2026
Official channels
Find Arch Grants elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
Arch Grants as a funder
Investment thesis
Arch Grants aims to transform the economy by attracting and retaining entrepreneurs through its unique venture philanthropy model.
Focus narrative
Arch Grants invests in early-stage startups through its annual Startup Competition, offering up to $100,000 in equity-free grants. The organization focuses on fostering entrepreneurship that contributes to economic development in St. Louis and beyond.
Value beyond capital
Arch Grants provides equity-free funding and access to a robust support network, helping startups grow and succeed in their entrepreneurial journeys.
Terms and economics
- Typical check
- $100,000
- Sweet spot
- $100,000
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed
- Regions
- United States
Availability
- Currently deploying
- Yes
Portfolio and track record
- Recorded portfolio count
- 291
Portfolio context
Arch Grants has funded 291 companies, which have collectively created over 4,000 jobs in Missouri, generated more than $1.2 billion in revenue, and attracted over $870 million in follow-on capital.
Capability profile
Arch Grants as a grantor
Grant thesis
Arch Grants aims to transform the economy by attracting and retaining entrepreneurs through its unique venture philanthropy model, providing equity-free grants and access to a support network for early-stage startups.
Focus narrative
Arch Grants invests in early-stage startups through its annual Startup Competition, offering up to $100,000 in equity-free grants. The organization focuses on fostering entrepreneurship that contributes to economic development in St. Louis and beyond.
Value and support
Beyond funding, Arch Grants provides access to a robust support network that includes mentorship, resources, and connections to help entrepreneurs succeed.
Grant economics
- Grant range
- $100,000
- Typical grant
- $100,000
- Dilutive
- No
- Nonprofit only
- No
Availability
- Application cycle
- annual
Eligibility and fit
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed
- Audience
- Founders
- Regions
- United States
Process and recipient context
Application process
The application process for Arch Grants involves participating in the annual Startup Competition, where startups can apply for equity-free funding. Selected startups gain access to a support network that aids in their growth and development.
Recipient context
Arch Grants has funded 291 companies, which have collectively created over 4,000 jobs in Missouri, generated more than $1.2 billion in revenue, and attracted over $870 million in follow-on capital.
Capability profile
Arch Grants as a community
Community overview
Arch Grants is an organization founded in 2012 and based in St. Louis, Missouri. It aims to transform the economy by attracting and retaining entrepreneurs through its unique venture philanthropy model. The organization provides equity-free grants and access to a support network for early-stage startups.
Community focus
Arch Grants invests in early-stage startups through its annual Startup Competition, offering up to $100,000 in equity-free grants. The organization focuses on fostering entrepreneurship that contributes to economic development in St. Louis and beyond.
Member value
Members gain access to equity-free grants, a support network, and opportunities for growth through various programs designed to foster entrepreneurship.
Membership
- Pricing models
- free
Audience and fit
- Audience
- Founders
- Benefits
- grant-funding and network-access
- Program types
- fellowship and community
- Selection criteria
- application
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed
- Regions
- United States
Community activity
Events and activity
Arch Grants hosts the Arch Grants Innovation Summit, an event focused on innovation and entrepreneurship.
Common questions
What to know about Arch Grants
Upseed classifies Arch Grants under the Grant Maker organization type. Its current public profile includes funder, grantor, and community capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
March 13, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.