Nearly eight years ago I was introduced to the St. Louis technology startup community and became a mentor in the Information Technology Entrepreneur Network (ITEN). Being surrounded by entrepreneurs inspired me to stay in the local tech scene and work with startups, which I’ve done since 2010. Today, St. Louis has many resources to assist with funding your company and accelerating your growth, as well as collaborative facilities in which to work and community programs that can support your success. Here are five growing St. Louis tech companies I encourage you to check out.

tunespeak.com is for the concert lover and fan who wants a chance to win tickets to see their favorite band. You earn points as you listen to songs, watch music videos and share on social media.

➧ The team at hatchbuck.com built a tool for business owners who want to turn prospects into customers, plus keep in touch with their customers. They give three hours of training as a bonus.

➧ Tired of boring gift cards, but need to send a gift? The unique card and gift giving combo at greetabl.com is the place to start. These are perfect as gifts for customers or family during the holidays!

➧ Do you have a group of people you want to chat with online, share pictures and video with, but you don’t want any of it to be available to the world? bonfyre.com (and the BonFyre app) is just the answer. It’s free for groups under 100 people.

betterweekdays.com takes the job search and interview process to the next level. College students create their profile, answer questions about themselves and are then recommended to companies looking for candidates with a similar profile. Employers find the right hire using the latest technology.

Check out: As you make your health insurance decisions, explore pacient.care for easy-to-understand health care system information.

Try out: Shops by Aisle411. This made-in-St. Louis app helps you find what you are looking for in stores all around the country.

Sheila Burkett is an information technology expert and co-founder of Spry Digital, an interactive design agency that delivers smart digital solutions. Catch her weekly Spry Hive at sprydigital.com/blog.