Entrepreneur Quest (EQ) is an opportunity for any full-time Mizzou student to create a new venture. EQ provides the workshops, tools, networking, mentoring and a $30,000 prize pool to help you translate your ideas and side hustles into viable and scalable businesses. Work with like-minded peers, immerse yourself in the startup world and receive coaching from successful entrepreneurs.
Program
Academic year 2026-27
September
- Application deadline
- Semifinalists compete in an elevator pitch competition before a panel of judges who choose 10 finalists with the most scalable ventures. The audience favorite receives $2,000.
- Ten finalists are notified of acceptance into the EQ program.
September, October and November
- The finalists participate in EQ's education program and receive mentoring from entrepreneurial leaders, innovators and other experts.
- Judges award seed funding to three teams for their ventures during EQ's final pitch competition.
- Winners receive a lump sum investment along with the opportunity to win additional funding (called an earnout) if they achieve jointly agreed upon milestones by May 2026.
- First place: $10,000 with an additional $5,000 earnout
- Second place: $6,000 with an additional $4,000 earnout
- Third place: $3,000 with an additional $2,000 earnout
EQ is sponsored by Hawthorn Bank, the U.S. Bank Foundation and the employees of Veterans United Home Loans.
Interested in supporting Mizzou’s student entrepreneurs?
Gifts to the Entrepreneur Quest Student Accelerator empower students to translate their ideas into viable companies.
Learn more and make a gift to EQ.