Codefi
Startup accelerator
- 1-20 employees
- B2B
- Investing
- Venture Capital
- Social Impact
- Cape Girardeau Township, Cape Girardeau, MO
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Company mission
Codefi's mission is to eliminate the skills and opportunity gaps preventing workers and entrepreneurs in rural regions from thriving in the digital economy.
37% female employees
Our take
Codefi is a group of entrepreneurs who partner with private and public groups in rural communities to educate and train digital workers and entrepreneurs, build software-focused companies, and create community spaces to expand communities' digital economy.
Starting as a pilot in Cape Girardeau, Missouri in late 2014, it has so far supported the launch of more than 50 startups that have raised over $40 million in equity investments and created over 250 jobs.
Its annual 1ST50K competition provides the winning business with a $50,000 grant award, as well as a location in Cape Girardeau to get started and grow their company. Codefi's accelerator enables communities to create local wealth, more economic diversity, and future-proof jobs and occupations.
Steph
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle
Benefits
- Medical, vision, dental & life insurance
- Personal and professional development opportunities
- Flexible work arrangement
- Pension matching
- Unlimited PTO
Funding (2 rounds)
Nov 2023
$0.4m
GRANT
Mar 2023
$2.1m
GRANT
Total funding: $2.5m
Leadership
James Stapleton, PhD
(Co-founder)Previous Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship at Southeast Missouri State University, and co-founder and Managing Member of carGO Technologies, LLC. Currently serves as the Competition Director for Codefi's 1ST50K Startup Competition.
Chris Carnell
(Co-founder)Previous Solutions Specialist for Mitchell International. Current Executive Director for the Codefi Foundation on Rural Innovation.