Startup Business 'Incubator' In Chesterfield Hatches a $9M in Revenue Winner

In yet another example of how business and government can team up to succeed, in Chesterfield launched six more startups today into the local economy, with one company generating revenue of $9 million and 70 fulltime jobs.

"We are committed to business growth, and it's in our Enterprise Centers," said St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley.

Dooley attended the launch-graduation ceremony in Valley, and met with new business owners picking up awards and applause.

Chesterfield Mayor Bruce Geiger also championed the success of the businesses.

"They're great. This is what we need, business—and these are the mom and pop. It's $18 million and over 100 jobs? This is just great," Geiger said after the ceremony.

TechGuard Security was one of the stars Monday—creating 70 full-time jobs and $9 million in revenue. Suzanne Magee and Andrea Johnson started TechGuard in 2001, renting office space at bargain prices and gathering seasoned advise through the Enterprise Center in Chesterfield.

The resourceful TechGuard pair snagged government contracts initially, and is branching out into the world of finance and healthcare, Magee said, with patented software solutions to computer systems security.

The four Enterprise Centers around the St. Louis region serve as a helping hand in crucial aspects of business startups: financing, networking, contacts, affordable office, labs and/or warehousing space and business expertise, officials said.

Vice President of St. Louis Enterprise Centers Dennis Breite said the Centers' staff have to be nimble in their work with startups. And connected throughout the region.

"We have to be flexible, to help them grow. We provide time, and expertise," Breite said. "St. Louis is a great community for this."

Other graduates of the Enterprise Centers launching off on their own Monday from combined Chesterfield and Wellston programs included:

• Swoosh Technologies—product design engineering; founders Dan Wibbernmeyer and David Chiu
• Metropolitan Training Alliance—Certified re-training in energy, manufacturing, more; Jacob Johnson
• TD4, Inc—electrical contracting; Tommy Davis, Jr. and Toni Davis (husband and wife)
• Acoba, LLC—sleep apnea products; Deb and Lonnie Alworths (husband and wife)
• Accent Fishing—custom fishing lures; Lonnie Alworths

A fifth St. Louis Enterprise Center is set to open its doors next year near Bridgeton, focusing on bio sciences startups, said CEO of St. Louis County Economic Council Denny Coleman.

In 2009, the Centers generated business with $165 in revenue and more than 800 jobs.

Financing for businesses may come through the Enterprise Centers' pool of lenders and capital, in conjunction with St. Louis County Economic Council, St. Louis City and St. Louis County. More information www.slcec.com

Chesterfield Patch will be doing more detailed profiles of the successful companies started with the help of St. Louis Enterprise Centers.