XLR8

Bridging Innovation. Building Communities.

XLR8.org provides individual users access to a social online entrepreneurship community with a proprietary matching algorithm that creates otherwise unlikely encounters and provides the best possible match for entrepreneurs, mentors, investors and resources across an expanded ecosystem. Rick Duree, XLR8’s Founder and CEO, calls “XLR8.org the ‘match.com’ for entrepreneurs.” “When I founded the Duree Center for Entrepreneurship at Lindenwood University, I saw a huge amount of duplication in terms of programming and services,” said Duree. “XLR8 makes things easier on entrepreneurs by creating a centralized platform that reduces duplication and increases connectivity.” The XLR8 platform intelligently matches entrepreneurs, mentors, investors and resources and brings together the key features of various social platforms into a singular package that allows entrepreneurs to access what they need when the need it. This includes a vetted national network of mentors, cultivated and created relevant content, a shared library of best practices and an ever growing calendar of events. XLR8 connects innovators to a robust entrepreneurship network including angel investors, mentors and consultants from across the region, giving them all the resources they need to succeed – in their own backyard. “XLR8 is an Entrepreneurship Alliance aimed at bridging innovation through regional collaboration,” Duree said. “Communities throughout the United States are facing major obstacles these days. Downtowns often have too many vacancies. Globalization is forcing manufacturers to outsource while graduates and young talented individuals are leaving for regional hub cities. This causes, among other things, limited collision of creativity and capital. XLR8 seeks to change that.” XLR8.org is free for users who are a part of an XLR8 community. When they log onto XLR8, they enter who they are, what they’re doing and what they need. Then, they are intelligently matched to the most relevant people and resources in their region and beyond. The matching engine allows users to shorten the “J Curve” startups face by reducing the capital burn rate from mismatched hires, thus increasing the likelihood for entrepreneurial success and boosting employment.