A leading advocate for Missouri entrepreneurs plans to approach the next legislative cycle — championing renewed funding for Show-Me State innovation — with a freshly-promoted leader, the group announced Friday.
Julia Campbell has been elevated to interim executive director at the Missouri Technology Corporation (MTC), as the public-private partnership continues a leadership transition prompted by Jack Scatizzi’s planned departure from its top role.
With more than a decade of experience supporting early-stage companies, managing venture investments, and advancing statewide innovation initiatives, Campbell has been a key leader in expanding access to capital and strengthening Missouri’s entrepreneurial economy, according to MTC. She previously served as IDEA Fund manager and, most recently, deputy director.
Scatizzi, who announced his resignation plans in August 2025, moves into an internal advisory role with MTC.
The leadership shuffle comes amid calls for a reinvestment in entrepreneur- and innovation-focused at the state level (and notably as the Missouri governor and legislature begin a new round of budget considerations).
In May 2025, legislators slashed MTC’s funding to zero — three years after former Gov. Mike Parson raised its allotment to a historic $31 million (and it later was awarded $95 million from the federal government to boost startup and small business growth in Missouri).
Julia Campbell, deputy director of the Missouri Technology Corporation (MTC), discusses accessing public funds to fund the growth of startups and small businesses during a November 2025 GEWKC panel conversation at Union Station; photo by Ayleen Bashir, KCSourceLink, UMKC Innovation Center
An Aug. 7 report released by Scatizzi detailed the planned suspension of four MTC programs — the Physical Infrastructure Grant program; Regional Node Grant program; Proof of Concept IDEA Fund; and Limited Partner activities — attributed to the funding cut, as well as efforts to strategically reallocate unobligated state funds and reserve capital to sustain several critical grant-based programs.
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As interim executive director, Campbell is expected to provide steady leadership and ensure the uninterrupted delivery of MTC’s grant programs, investment activities, and partnerships that support Missouri’s innovation economy.
The MTC Board of Directors is confident in her ability to guide the organization with clarity and purpose during this period, the organization said in a press release, adding that MTC remains focused on catalyzing innovation and economic growth across Missouri.
