About
The Chaifetz Center for Entrepreneurship, housed within Saint Louis University's Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business, operates as a comprehensive entrepreneurship support ecosystem rather than a traditional venture capital fund. The center's most visible investment arm is the Billikon Angels Network, an angel investor group that has been operational since 2008 with the stated mission of providing capital infusions and expert guidance to promising regional ventures. However, as of the most recent update, the Billikon Angels Network is fully invested and not actively considering new opportunities. Beyond the angel network, the center launched the New Venture Accelerator in 2024, which offers equity-free investments ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 to current SLU students and alumni who graduated within the last five years, funded by alumni of the Chaifetz School of Business. The center's broader mandate encompasses mentorship, student incubation through initiatives like SLULaunch (focused on geospatial and biomedical ventures), and access to a network of faculty, staff, entrepreneurs, and investors. The organization emphasizes education and business advisory services alongside capital deployment, positioning itself as a regional hub for transforming entrepreneurial ideas into viable enterprises. Founders gain access to mentorship programs, networking events with established entrepreneurs and investors, incubation support, and potential funding through the New Venture Accelerator. The center actively seeks partnerships with individuals and organizations aligned with its vision of building an entrepreneurial regional ecosystem, though specific portfolio company details and comprehensive investment history remain limited in public documentation.