Missouri‘s technology industry stands poised for massive growth in the coming decade. Once flying under the radar, the Show-Me State now boasts expanding tech titans, buzzworthy startups, and some of the nation‘s hottest tech hubs. This in-depth guide explores it all – from homegrown giants to job opportunities. Let‘s dive in!
Missouri‘s Tech Titan Triumvirate Anchors the Industry
St. Louis hosts global juggernauts that fuel innovation across the state. The "Big 3" tech firms based in Missouri drive billions in revenue and employ tens of thousands worldwide:
| Company | 2021 Revenue | Employees | Year Founded |
|---|---|---|---|
| World Wide Technology | $14.3 billion | 7,000 | 1990 |
| Cerner | $5.8 billion | 26,000 | 1979 |
| Jack Henry & Associates | $1.9 billion | 6,700 | 1976 |
You likely interact with these companies regularly without even knowing it. For example, World Wide Technology (WWT) provides infrastructure and security solutions that power systems we depend on daily.
Both WWT and Cerner also actively give back by funding innovation labs and education programs at local universities. This fosters Missouri‘s next generation of tech talent.
Surging Startups Make National Waves
Beyond the established players, Missouri has birthed standout startups catching fire:
- 2016 – Medical billings startup Collective Health raises $110M in VC funding at a $1 billion valuation
- 2018 – Precision agriculture upstart The Climate Corporation sells to Bayer for $7.4 billion
- 2021 – Construction tech darling EquipmentShare reaches unicorn status with $230M financing round
- 2022 – Cybersecurity firm AtomAction grabs $35M as Mizzou NBA star Tiger Woods backs their seed round
AtomAction CEO Yinuo Wang credits Missouri‘s central location and talented workforce in fueling hypergrowth. The state makes launching B2B startups seamless.
Missouri‘s Expanding Tech Hubs
St. Louis and Kansas City obviously anchor Missouri‘s tech landscape with Fortune 500 giants, accelerators, and globally-renowned research institutions powering both.
- St. Louis added 13,100 new tech jobs since 2010 – outpacing major hubs like Denver, Nashville, and Charlotte in tech workforce expansion over that stretch according to CBRE data. Major corporations continue or migrate significant operations there given the metro‘s talent pools and infrastructure.
Yet Missouri thrives with emerging hubs too:
- Springfield‘s tech workforce grew 52% over the past 5 years per the Springfield Business Development Corporation. Financial firms building IT hubs and innovative manufacturers drive demand. The Missouri State University and Drury University pipelines don‘t hurt either.
- Columbia leverages hypergrowth at the University of Missouri to lead Midwest metros in tech expansion. Since 2010, its tech labor force ballooned 72%. Research spinoffs stay local while health IT consultancies feed off MU‘s #3 nationally ranked computer science program.
- Cape Girardeau diversifies beyond manufacturing, capitalizing on its strategic I-55 corridor placement. Since 2010, its tech economy expanded 44%. Established firms like CenturyLink and upstarts like industrial robotics pioneer Intelligent Robotic Solutions call Cape home.
The most exciting aspect? Emerging hubs fuel the entire state‘s innovation ecosystem via partnerships with St. Louis and Kansas City. Venture funding, research breakthroughs, and talent circulates throughout Missouri.
Why Missouri Attracts Technology Firms
What explains Missouri‘s blossoming reputation as a destination for tech companies and talent?
1. Producing more computer science graduates than Silicon Valley metros – Local institutions generate exceptional volumes of qualified candidates. The University of Missouri-Columbia and Missouri University of Science & Technology notably rank among the top tech talent pipelines nationally.
2. Soaring availability of tech workers – Supply surges as companies scale fast. Missouri‘s rate of tech talent availability tripled since 2018, signaling fertility for expansion per CBRE research. This contrasts major hub markets grappling with shrinking labor pools amidst fierce competition.
3. Central location with logistics infrastructure advantages – Two day ground shipping范围 reaches either coast along with metro clusters like DFW, Chicago and Atlanta. INTERNET backbone networks crisscross Missouri to enable fast data transfers globally. Interstate highway connectivity similarly facilitates efficient transportation.
4. Skyrocketing VC investments in local startups – 2021 marked a record year in funding high-growth Missouri tech ventures to the tune of $768 million per VentureScanner research – shattering the previous annual peak by over 30%. The endless Fortune 500 corporations anchored locally also mean plentiful B2B partnership opportunities fueling deals.
5. Surging local and state government incentives – Missouri dangles tax credits, job training programs, and real estate grants to permanently relocate tech offices and data centers. Hundreds of millions in subsidies make placing high-value tech roles locally more appealing. These catalysts drive relocation and expansion decisions.
The Red Hot Tech Job Market in Missouri
With companies scaling fast and outside firms placing big bets in Missouri, hunger for skilled tech workershit fever pitch. Unemployment for IT occupations runs just 1.1% in Missouri – 75% below the overall jobless rate.
Software developers and computer systems engineers rank among the most in-demand roles lately. However, virtually every tech occupation sees double digit or near triple digit job listing expansion annually in Missouri currently, according to state job placement data.
This dynamic fuels enviable salary growth:
| Tech Occupation | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Software Developers | $107,000 |
| Computer Systems Engineers | $104,000 |
| Database Administrators | $93,000 |
| Information Security Analysts | $92,000 |
| Network Architects | $91,000 |
Beyond pure tech roles, technology consulting also thrives across the state. Accenture, Perficient, and Burns & McDonnell grow Missouri offices to tap high margins guiding Fortune 500 clients on digital transformations locally.
Inside Missouri‘s Supportive Startup Ecosystem
Entrepreneurs access no shortage of resources when building disruptive ventures in Missouri:
Incubators – Programs like Capital Innovators and T-Rex connect founders with mentors, talent and pre-seed funding
Accelerators – Nationally ranked bootsrappers like Yield Lab provide seed capital and hands-on support launching ag tech ventures
Investors – Active angel and VC networks like Cultivation Capital and Lewis & Clark Ventures bankroll early-stage tech firms
Research Institutions – Washington University, UM System and Missouri S&T birth innovative technologies ripe for commercialization
Enterprise Partners – Corporations like Express Scripts and Edward Jones partner with young tech companies on pilots
Talent Pipelines – New grads from UMKC, S&T, and 20+ other universities start careers supporting startups
Conferences & Associations – Organizations like ITEN connect innovators while showcases like Arch Grind display startups.
Missouri universities also work directly with investors to keep star talent local post-graduation. One prime model comes from the University of Missouri System. Mizzou directly finances ventures led by standout inventors to improve commercialization rates. Since 2016, UM System funded over 25 startups sparking $270M in follow-on private capital support. Talk about fostering local innovation!
Breaking Into Missouri‘s Thriving Tech Sector
Hopeful tech professionals wonder how best to tap Missouri‘s hypergrowth. Veterans and recent college grads alike will discover open doors.
For established IT experts seeking a fresh start, highlight transferable skills upfront with Missouri hiring managers. Experienced systems engineers, software developers, database administrators and project managers seem in perpetual demand. Learning niche proprietary tech stacks matters less than showcasing leadership ability and delivery track records. Lean on past quantifiable accomplishments, satisfied customers and best practices adopted.
Recent CS graduates enjoy enviable leverage, actively recruited by corporate IT teams, cutting-edge startups and consultancies alike. Gain broad exposure across industries and company sizes early on to build well-rounded experience. Certificates and technical skills matter but so does showcasing curiosity and communication abilities. Seize stretch assignments, volunteer for special projects and absorb all the mentorship offered.
No matter your background, networking opens more doors than applying blindly online ever could. Attend local tech events, volunteer expertise to budding ventures, and constantly expand your connections. With Missouri‘s tight-knit hubs, a friend of a friend often links opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here I‘ll answer some common questions about Missouri‘s technology landscape:
*What Missouri metro areas offer the most tech jobs? Beyond St. Louis and Kansas City, Springfield, Columbia and Cape Girardeau also present growing tech hubs mentioned earlier. Secondary college towns like Rolla, home to Missouri University of Science & Technology, also see expansions.
*Do I need to know special tech skills or stacks to find work in Missouri? Not necessarily. The sheer tech workforce deficit means most common enterprise technology experience applies somewhere. Core languages like JavaScript, Java, C# and Python all thrive here across industries.
*What degree backgrounds do Missouri tech employers target? Computer Science and Computer Engineering candidates unsurprisingly see heavy recruiting. However, Missouri employers also regularly tap related fields like Information Systems, Cybersecurity and Network Engineering. Some also court business majors with tech minors given interfacing with clients.
*How can I break into Missouri tech from out of state? As covered in closing advice above, highlight transferable experiences first since legacy tech knowledge matters less than abilities. Getting connected to the tight-knit hubs via networking events, mentors and local alumni from your college stands paramount as well.
*What tech occupations project to grow fastest in Missouri? Software developers and computer systems engineers see the most demand currently. However, data and cybersecurity roles should balloon over the next decade given industry digitization. Network deployment positions tied to 5G infrastructure expansions also look poised for massive growth.
Closing Thoughts
Missouri‘s overall economic development leaders acknowledge the technology industry‘s maturation as the lynchpin toward sustained prosperity. As the data and trends outlined in this guide demonstrate, the Show Me state rapidly ascended from flyover territory toward a central U.S. tech hub. Everyone from globally renowned research institutions to the highest levels of government prioritizes expanding Missouri‘s tech leadership position.
With multibillion dollar corporate titans, rising startups and abundance of high-paying jobs up for grabs, Missouri‘s technology scene enters a golden age. Look for the state to continue climbing tech workforce and innovation rankings nationally for years to come. Consider this your invitation to witness the exciting transformations firsthand!
