ST. LOUIS, July 31, 2025: The Taylor Geospatial Institute (TGI) has officially launched as an independent nonprofit organization. This significant milestone marks the beginning of a bold new chapter for TGI as it continues uniting world-class institutions and researchers to solve society’s most pressing challenges through the power of geospatial science.
Established in 2022 with a transformative investment from Andrew C. Taylor, executive chairman of Enterprise Mobility, TGI was founded to accelerate geospatial research in the St. Louis region and beyond. The move to independence solidifies TGI’s long-term sustainability and positions it to deepen its impact as a world-class center for interdisciplinary research and innovation.
“Today marks a transformative moment not just for TGI, but for the geospatial community nationwide,” said Robert Cardillo, chair of the Taylor Geospatial Institute Board of Directors. “By stepping into independence, TGI affirms its commitment to pioneering research, cultivating the next generation of geospatial leaders, and advancing the region as a global epicenter of innovation.”
Initially incubated at Saint Louis University, TGI was launched as a flagship initiative aligned with the GeoFutures Strategic Roadmap—a regional plan to establish St. Louis as the global hub for geospatial technology by 2030. The transition to independence enables TGI to scale its programs, enhance industry partnerships, and attract new investment in talent and research infrastructure.
TGI’s consortium includes the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, Harris-Stowe State University, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Saint Louis University, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Missouri-Columbia, University of Missouri-St. Louis, and Washington University in St. Louis. The Institute’s collaborative model continues to fuel innovation across a range of disciplines including agriculture, public health, national security, and climate resilience.
“This transition is an exciting inflection point for our organization,” said Elliott Kellner, Ph.D., Acting Executive Director of the Taylor Geospatial Institute. “As an independent nonprofit, we are well positioned to pursue bold research initiatives, build public-private partnerships, and invest in the next generation of geospatial talent—all in service of creating lasting impact in the St. Louis region and beyond.”
The Institute’s new organizational structure enhances its ability to operate nimbly, scale strategically, and sustain long-term research leadership. At the same time, TGI remains committed to its founding vision: to accelerate the St. Louis region's development as a global geospatial center of excellence by creating a world-class, interdisciplinary, geospatial science research collaborative to address significant scientific and societal challenges.
www.taylorgeospatial.org
For details contact
Elliott Kellner, Chief Financial and Operating Officer, Taylor Geospatial Institute
elliott.kellner@taylorgeospatial.org
