Tigers show entrepreneurial spirit
Nov. 30, 2023
![(Left to right) First-place winner Parker Owens, second-place winner and doctoral nursing student Lauren Compton and third-place winner and doctoral student in textile and apparel management Jia Wu](https://president.missouri.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20231128_JOSCM_EQ-Pitch_ANL-052-300x200.jpg)
On Tuesday, we hosted the annual pitch competition for Entrepreneur Quest (EQ), a program that helps students turn big ideas into viable companies.
Over the course of the semester, participants work alongside like-minded peers and receive coaching from leading entrepreneurs. At the final pitch competition, they compete for part of a $30,000 total prize pool to make their business a reality.
This year’s first-place venture was Parker’s Brick Builds, created by Parker Owens, a third-year law student. His business uses LEGO-style blocks to create customized build kits.
Since 2018, EQ has awarded more than $175,000 in seed funding while providing more than 50 student teams hands-on experience founding innovative startups. Many Tigers have used EQ to launch and grow successful businesses.
Congratulations to all this year’s participants.
— Mun