The Cortex Innovation Community is a dynamic, 200-acre innovation ecosystem, strategically located among prestigious institutions such as Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis University, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, University of Missouri — St. Louis, and the Missouri Botanical Garden.

Since the master plan’s completion in 2012, this rapidly expanding district has become home to nearly 400 companies, generating over $1 billion in direct economic input and creating 13,000 new jobs. Cortex is a model for a university-affiliated innovation districts, leveraging a single urban location to cultivate a culture of collaboration and discovery. Each building, lobby, and green space is intentionally designed to encourage spontaneous interactions, idea sharing, and meaningful connections.