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University of Missouri
Research, Innovation & Impact

Student entrepreneurship programs

Learn how to start and run a company

Griggs Innovators Nexus

Take virtual tour Learn more

Hands-on Learning

Get ready for takeoff

Student presents during pitch competition

Win money for your business

Get coaching, practice your pitch and even compete for funding through these programs.

Entrepreneur Quest Student Accelerator Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Student and her storefront

Run a business on campus

Open a storefront in the MU Student Center, develop your business idea and network with other entrepreneurs.

Griggs Innovators Nexus Retail Space Explore more entrepreneurship opportunities

Academic programs

Mizzou Made

Mizzou's Student Entrepreneurs

Kiley Grimes, BS BA ’25

Founder of and owner of Soundcheck Practice Studios, fully-equipped, 24/7 vibrant practice spaces for musicians

“Mizzou's pitch competitions and CEO club changed the game for me, but the real support came from people who cheered me on.”

Meet more student entrepreneurs
Kiley Grimes

Winning Ideas

Student Competitions

Student team chosen as audience favorite in 2025 EQ competition poses with large check and Kelsey Raymond.

Dreams take flight

Students research, test and pitch their business ideas as a part of the Entrepreneur Quest Student Accelerator.

Entrepreneur Quest program
RJI Contest winners with graphic of their tool

Smart solutions

Students compete with prototypes, products and tools that solve journalism challenges.

2025 RJI Contest highlights
Students at TigerHacks 2024, Mizzou’s largest hackathon.

Hacking for good

TigerHacks tests tech wizards’ mettle to develop a functioning product in 36 hours.

2024 TigerHacks competition
MU business students pose with a

Ideas come to life

Have an idea? Grow it into reality and pitch to get it funded with Entrepreneurship Alliance.

Entrepreneurship Alliance

Venture creation resources

Insights and Inspiration

Learn from the best

Marc Randolph

Creating a bingeworthy company

Marc Randolph, co-founder and first CEO of Netflix, discusses the early days of Netflix and what it takes to be an innovator. 

Watch Marc's video.
Maxine Clark

Building a company with heart

Build-A-Bear Workshop Founder Maxine Clark shares career insights and offers tips on doing business for social causes.

Watch Maxine's video.
Chad Troutwine

Embracing audacious aspirations

Entrepreneur, filmmaker and educator Chad Troutwine advises students not to be afraid to go for something really big.

Watch Chad's videos.

Find more business-building resources

MOSourceLink®, with support from the University of Missouri System, has curated hundreds of business-building resources located in Missouri. Use the Resource Navigator® smart database to search for programs, workshops and events to help you start, grow and accelerate your business.

Use the resource navigator