The Entrepreneur Quest program has invested more than $223,000 in student businesses since 2018. In 2024, the first place $15,000 winner was gaming company Fynch Interactive founded by Lucas Crow and Noah Fouts (left); the second place $10,000 winner was Soundcheck, a bookable space for musicians founded by Kiley Grimes (top, right); and the third place $5,000 winner was The Melt Masters, a smash burger food truck founded by Kobe Messick and Connor McHugh.
About
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 2025-26
September
Students submit applications.
Fifteen 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.
October and November
The finalists participate in EQ's education program and receive mentoring from entrepreneurial leaders, innovators and other experts.
November
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 at Mizzou Give Direct.