Emily Lohse-Busch is Stepping Down as Executive Director from Arch Grants
Executive Director, Emily Lohse-Busch, will be stepping down from her position effective Feb. 28, 2022. Lohse-Busch assumed the role in 2017 and has since led the organization to significant growth in organizational capacity and impact.
“Seeing Emily in action at our Annual Gala, on the TEDxSt.Louis stage or just in a casual one-on-one conversation; you immediately recognize her passion and commitment,” said Elizabeth Zucker, Arch Grants’ Board President. “She has a preciseness and an unrelenting desire to transform the economy in St. Louis by attracting and retaining extraordinary entrepreneurs. As Emily leaps forward and decides what’s next, Arch Grants will continue to soar in our pursuit to create jobs, attract follow on capital and bring the best and brightest entrepreneurs to the St. Louis region to nurture and grow their businesses.”
When Lohse-Busch joined the organization, Arch Grants had funded 96 early-stage companies through its annual Startup Competition, and those companies had, in turn, generated $60 million in revenue, attracted $119 million in follow on capital and created 1,100 jobs in the St. Louis region. Five years later, Arch Grants’ portfolio of high-growth startups includes 207 companies that have generated over $479 million in revenue, attracted over $411 million in follow-on capital and have created over 2,300 jobs in the St. Louis region.
Lohse-Busch says, “Leading Arch Grants has been the honor of my career thus far. I am so proud of what we have accomplished as we’ve proven over the past five years that not only will this organization stand the test of time, but that its impact is just starting to be fully realized. I cannot wait to see what new heights Arch Grants can reach in the next five years and beyond and will absolutely continue to be helpful and involved in the future.”
Under Lohse-Busch’s leadership, Arch Grants launched several new programs aimed at increasing its entrepreneurs’ ability to access resources and scale their businesses. The newest of these initiatives is the Growth Grants program, which was launched in early 2021 to provide additional non-dilutive follow-on funding to Arch Grants Companies that have demonstrated success to hire talent and scale in St. Louis. Six companies have each been awarded $100,000 through Growth Grants so far, and Arch Grants expects the program to continue to expand in impact and scope in 2022 and beyond.
The Arch Grants Board of Directors has developed a Search Committee and will be leading a national search for the organization’s next Executive Director.
Jerry Schlichter, Board Chair and Search Committee Chair said, “Emily has taken Arch Grants to new heights in its ability to be a transformative organization for St. Louis. She’s accomplished and exceeded the five-year vision that we discussed when she first took on the role. On behalf of the Arch Grants family and the broader region, we extend our deepest gratitude to Emily for her leadership and tireless efforts to make Arch Grants what it has become. We welcome and look forward to her wise counsel as we move forward with our ambitious plans.”
After leaving Arch Grants, Lohse-Busch plans to launch a consulting practice partnering with promising nonprofit organizations in the Midwest to assist in building out sustainable growth strategies and increase missional impact.
Lohse-Busch reflects, “My passion has always been to provide value to people and organizations that are improving communities and, ultimately, the human condition. Arch Grants is a shining example of that in action, and I look forward to using my expertise and learnings to help other organizations in this region reach new heights. I feel strongly that the future is bright – both for Arch Grants and for this region.”
ABOUT ARCH GRANTS
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Arch Grants’ mission is to transform the economy in St. Louis by attracting and retaining extraordinary entrepreneurs. Since 2012, Arch Grants has awarded more than $11 million in cash grants to attract or retain 207 early-stage businesses in St. Louis, invigorating the city’s startup scene with new talent and ideas and helping to shape the future economy of the region. Of the total cash grants, more than $10 million has been awarded through Arch Grants’ annual Startup Competition and $600,000 has been awarded in in non-dilutive grants through Growth Grants. Through its program, Arch Grants’ portfolio companies have gone on to create over 2,300 jobs in the St. Louis region, generate over $479 million in revenue and attract over $411 million in follow-on capital. To learn more, please visit our website at archgrants.org and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.
