This is the first year for the University of Missouri System’s two-semester EQ program, which provides students at each of the four universities with new skills and mentors who guide them through the idea validation and venture development process.
Fifteen Mizzou teams took part in an EQ competition in November. Business major Ross Scanlan pitched SL.App, a digital platform that alleviates the stress of subleasing an apartment by matching lessees and lessors based on location, time frame, pricing and more. He and his team won $500 as the audience favorite. After the event, Scanlan, Martin and the other semifinalists completed an eight-week education program with input from alumni, industry leaders, coaches and subject-matter experts.
“We wanted to work together and take on the challenge of EQ to see how much we could grow and improve upon our venture,” said Scanlan. “I love the challenge of finding a niche or problem in the world and coming up with a solution to help ease that pain point.”
Students who participated in EQ during the 2018-19 academic year represented nine MU colleges and schools and were enrolled in undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. The other participants were: Andrew Northern, gameURL; Drew Patel, Identifying.Me; Brian Huch, Lawcate; Mike Lin, Pick-Me-Up Pad; Nicholas Deloach, ProActive Escape; and Jack Schroder, Stove to Store.
“EQ provides students from across Mizzou with the opportunity to network with like-minded innovators. In the end, it gives them a platform to pitch their idea to a panel of successful entrepreneurs for the seed funding they need for their ventures,” said Greg Bier, director of MU’s EQ program.
Student-designed EQ posters