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MTC Grant Awards Build Support for Entrepreneurship and Digital Workforce Across Missouri

The Missouri Technology Corporation (MTC) has announced it will award grant funding through the Missouri Building Entrepreneurial Capacity (MOBEC) program to the efactory and Codefi. The program will provide $250,000 over two years of initial seed funding support to several new efactory programs, including:

– An expansion of Codefi’s nationally recognized Code Labs program, a full-stack software developer training program that prepares adults for entry-level software developer roles

– An expansion of Codefi’s Youth Coding League, an innovative after-school coding education program that currently reaches more than 2,000 students in seven states

“MTC has been critical to the success and growth of the efactory and the Springfield entrepreneurial community,” said Rachel Anderson, Director of the efactory. “Their support has allowed us to scale quicker than would have otherwise been possible, allowing us to serve more clients in southwest Missouri. We’ve been very fortunate to have a partner in innovation and are excited about the future of startups and the digital workforce in southern Missouri.”

Rachel Anderson
Director, efactory

A New Partnership with Codefi

MTC has also awarded $250,000 over two years for expansion and new programs at Codefi, one of the nation’s top digital workforce and economic development agencies serving rural regions. These programs include:

– A technology pre-accelerator program that will provide founders with specialized training and resources and opportunities for follow-on funding as they start and grow new businesses

– An investor network program that will serve as a catalyst for increased private investment in startup companies throughout southern Missouri

Dr. James Stapleton, Founder of Codefi shared, “MTC has played a vital role in supporting the continued growth of Codefi’s capacity to provide programs and services that eliminate the skills and opportunity gaps preventing workers and entrepreneurs in rural southeast Missouri from thriving in the digital economy. We are excited to join forces with the efactory in Springfield to leverage our collective resources and expertise, with community partners across southern Missouri, to generate even more economic impact.”

Dr. James Stapleton
Founder, Codefi

We believe in the power of partnerships to advance our region and state. As our programs work together, efactory and Codefi are excited to launch a first-of-its-kind partnership that will transform entrepreneurial support and workforce development across southern Missouri. Make plans to join the efactory and Codefi on April 8 in Cape Girardeau and May 19 in Springfield to be the first to hear how our organizations will work together to provide increased resources and access to dreamers, doers and job creators in Missouri.

“Missouri Technology Corporation (MTC) is excited to award MOBEC grants to efactory and Codefi to fund the expansion of entrepreneurial support and workforce development programs across southern Missouri. One of MTC’s primary goals is to ensure that entrepreneurs have access to the resources and support they need to grow and create new high-paying jobs within the state, and providing financial support to organizations like efactory and Codefi have proven to be the best method to build entrepreneurial capacity within the state,” said Dr. Jack Scatizzi, Executive Director of the Missouri Technology Corporation.

Dr. Jack Scatizzi
Executive Director, Missouri Technology Corporation

About MTC & MOBEC

The Missouri Technology Corporation (MTC) is a public-private partnership created by the Missouri General Assembly to promote entrepreneurship and foster the growth of new and emerging high-tech companies. The Missouri Building Entrepreneurial Capacity (MOBEC) program is a cornerstone of MTC’s investment strategy.

Through the MOBEC program, MTC makes strategic investments that expand the support system for entrepreneurs that are commercializing new technologies or that enhance the capacity of Missouri to grow its innovation economy. The Missouri Technology Corporation works closely with Missouri’s Department of Economic Development. Together the two entities focus on supporting entrepreneurs, innovation, and job creation throughout the state.