Making waves
Students leave EQ with skills to build businesses and seize opportunities.
Mizzou students and alumni who have participated in Entrepreneur Quest. Top, from left, are Andrew Kruszka and Noah Graham. Bottom, third from left, Kasey Hammock and her team, and Nathan Bresette.
Aug. 25, 2026
The Entrepreneur Quest (EQ) program at the Griggs Innovators Nexus empowers students to start their own businesses during college, and, according to Kelsey Raymond, executive director of entrepreneurship programs, there's no better time.
“Students get the support of the university, all of the resources we can provide, and opportunities to win money to launch their businesses,” Raymond said. “They also have a safety net and a built-in network of potential customers. That amount of support for entrepreneurship doesn't happen very often once you're in the real world.”
Some EQ graduates continue building their businesses, some pivot and pursue new venture ideas, and some gain more experience and skills by going back to school or working in industry. What they have in common is a passion for solving problems and a willingness to keep experimenting.
“Our students evolve," said Greg Bier, entrepreneur in residence at the Griggs Nexus. “Often, the real opportunity is the second, third or fourth venture.”
Meet four founders who left EQ with a mindset that helped them achieve company milestones and make the most of new opportunities.