The University of Missouri (Mizzou) is hosting its Entrepreneur Quest (EQ) competition tomorrow (UPDATED: here’s the list of winners). The program provides students with tools and resources to launch their business and contribute to economic prosperity in our community.

Much like on the television series Shark Tank, 10 student teams will have up to seven minutes to pitch their ideas to a panel of judges. After a five-minute Q & A with the judges, the students pitching could soon be one step closer to bringing their business startup dreams to reality.

I previously mentored for UMSL, but now that I’m a Mizzou student too, I got the scoop on what they’re up to. Not heard from UMSL yet, but they have their competition the following day on the 23rd.

Tomorrow (22nd) at Mizzou, three teams will be selected as winners and split $30,000 in cash prizes provided by donations from Veterans United Home Loans and U.S. Bank.

Kelly Mattas, Senior Program Coordinator at Mizzou, told EQ over email, “Students have fresh and innovative ideas to solve challenges faced in our society. We hope student attendees will be inspired that this could be them solving problems and making a difference in the world.”

For what it’s worth, I completely agree with Kelly that students bring fresh ideas. As I have written before, I’m a big fan of this program as I think it identifies non-standard problems that people want to solve.

Mizzou student teams participating in this year’s Entrepreneur Quest are:

Askepion Universal Medical Network (AUMN) – A blockchain-based computer program that stores and maintains electronic medical records, Chris Floyd.

Nuffroom – A mobile app that streamlines the noise complaint resolution process, presented by Zeph France.

ALLTER – A platform that collects and translates customer data to deliver accurate clothing sizes, presented by Michelle Gershkovich

Rad By Design – One-of-a-kind fashion pieces created with repurposed textiles, presented by Georgiana Gnibus.

SKYPIG – Imaginative games that inspire entrepreneurship, presented by Aaron Heienickle.

Supersole – Affordable and customizable shoe insoles created with 3D printing technology, presented by Kobe Messick and Sam O’Neill.

Murray Kennel Company – A Murphy-style dog crate that folds up against any wall to save space, presented by Jack Murray.

Student Storage – Lockable secure bins for students to use for easy storage over summer break, presented by Noah Strodtman.

Beam Bracelet – A wearable, fashionable, and hygienic storage for orthodontic devices, presented by Clay Van Eaton and Reagan Van Eaton.

Correction

This original statement below was inaccurate. Turns out UM system will not be doing an inter-university competition this year:

“University of Missouri System is hosting the quarter finals of its statewide Entrepreneur Quest (EQ) competition this month. Each university in the system (e.g. UMSL, Mizzou, Rolla), will be hosting a pitch competition to see who’ll make it to the final showdown UM University vs UM University.”