Entrepreneur Quest, the signature program of the Griggs Innovators Nexus at Mizzou, helps undergraduate and graduate students translate their ideas and side hustles into scalable ventures. Left, Greg Bier, executive director of entrepreneurship programs, celebrates at a recent pitch competition with sports management major Jack Bishop, who was chosen as the audience favorite and won $2,000 from Hawthorn Bank. Photos by Maggie McCready
Oct. 2, 2024
University of Missouri students in engineering, business, journalism, education, textile and apparel management, sports management and other degree programs competed Sept. 17 for a spot in the Entrepreneur Quest (EQ) program and a chance to win funds from a $30,000 prize pool.
“EQ is meant to help students transform their ideas into viable startups ready for investor seed funding,” said Greg Bier, MU executive director of entrepreneurship programs. “Their businesses will evolve over the course of our multiweek program, which includes workshops, research, networking and coaching from mentors.”
Above are students from six colleges and schools who competed in September for a spot in the Entrepreneur Quest program.
EQ has a successful track record of jumpstarting student businesses. Since its first year in 2018, 50 Mizzou teams have participated in the competition — and more than $184,000 has been awarded to help them make their business dreams a reality.
At the beginning of the fall semester, undergraduate and graduate students from across campus applied for a chance to participate in EQ, one of several programs based at the Griggs Innovators Nexus. Leaders from the region's entrepreneurial ecosystem selected the teams that took part in last month’s elevator pitch competition. A panel of judges at the event chose the following 10 finalists for the intensive EQ education program:
- Jeffrey Appiagyei, doctoral candidate, data science and informatics — SAYeTECH, smart sensors for small farm machines to facilitate data collection.
- Jack Bishop, senior, sports management major — Bishop Athlete Representation, creating sponsorship and community engagement opportunities for United Football League athletes.
- Lucas Crow, senior, digital marketing and computer science, and Noah Fouts, senior, computer science — Fynch Interactive, multiplayer games tailored to an older demographic on the Roblox platform.
- Justine Feliciano, junior, business administration and finance, and Jordyn Gegg, senior, business administration — Nextdex, virtual assistant services targeting the real estate industry.
- Kiley Grimes, senior, business administration and economics — Soundcheck, bookable practice space for musicians.
Doctoral candidate Jeffrey Appiagyei said during his pitch that the aim of his company, SAYeTECH, is to help small farmers access equipment and financing.
- Drew Killion, freshman, information technology, and Colin Duet, freshman, marketing — CampusConnect, individualized chatbots for K-12 schools.
- Kobe Messick, senior, secondary education language arts and journalism, Connor McHugh, junior, journalism — The Melt Masters, a mobile smash burger food truck.
- K.J. Moulder, junior, strategic communication art direction and entrepreneurship — Jukebx, a music-based social media hub intended to create real-life connections among fans artists and venues.
- Paul Schuler Jr., master’s student, health data science and analytics — OptiChart, an automated data entry platform for emergency medical services personnel.
- Trey Scott, senior, textile and apparel management — Johnson and Scott, a unisex streetwear clothing brand that partners with local artists.
On Nov. 19, the students will compete in a final EQ pitch competition. The first-place venture will receive a $15,000 investment, second place will receive $10,000 and third-place will receive $5,000.
EQ is sponsored by Hawthorn Bank, U.S. Bank Foundation and the employees of Veterans United Home Loans.