Dec. 2, 2024
University of Missouri students in business, data science, education, engineering, journalism, sports management, and textile and apparel management recently competed to win thousands of dollars from Entrepreneur Quest (EQ) for their businesses.
They pitched ventures with a wide range of offerings including smart sensors, online games, virtual assistant services and streetwear featuring work from local artists. In the end, a panel of business leaders awarded a $30,000 prize pool to three teams.
- First place: Fynch Interactive, founded by Lucas Crow, a senior in business administration in the Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business and computer science in the College of Engineering from Nixa, Missouri, and Noah Fouts, a senior in computer science from Jefferson City, Missouri.
- Second place: Soundcheck, founded by Kiley Grimes, a senior in business administration from Springfield, Illinois.
- Third place: The Melt Masters, founded by Kobe Messick, a senior in secondary education from Independence, Missouri, and Connor McHugh, a junior in strategic communication in the Missouri School of Journalism and economics in the College of Arts and Science from Chicago, Illinois.
Other EQ winners were Bishop Athlete Representation, founded by Jack Bishop, a sports management major in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources who won $2,000 as the audience favorite at an earlier event, and OptiChart, founded by Paul Schuler Jr., a master’s student in health data science and analytics in the Mizzou Graduate School who received $1,500 from the Graduate Professional Council.
"The students in EQ are truly exceptional,” said Greg Bier, executive director of entrepreneurship programs. “Their creativity, determination and passion for innovation inspire us all, and many continue building their businesses after graduation.”
EQ helps students transform their ideas into viable startups ready for investor funding. The students accepted into this year’s semester-long program attended workshops, conducted market research at Ellis Library, worked with the School of Law's Entrepreneurship Legal Clinic and received coaching from business experts before participating in the final competition. Hawthorn Bank, U.S. Bank Foundation and the employees of Veterans United Home Loans sponsor EQ.
“The top teams have already taken significant concrete actions to establish their customer base and generate revenue,” Bier said. “They’ve made remarkable progress, and they are still full-time Mizzou Tigers!”
Read on to learn more about the winning businesses.