November 11, 2024

Two groups with Mizzou Engineering students were named finalists in the 2024 Entrepreneur Quest (EQ) program. Learn more about their business ventures.

Mizzou Engineers have big ideas and they’re equipped with the leadership skills to turn them into reality. This fall, two groups with engineering students are finalists in the Entrepreneur Quest (EQ) program and will have the opportunity to pitch their business ventures in hopes of winning part of a $30,000 prize pool.

Seniors Lucas Crow and Noah Fouts have paired up to develop high-quality games for players on the Roblox platform. And freshmen Colin Duet and Drew Killion are creating CampusConnect, a centralized school information platform to reduce school counselor overload.

EQ provides workshops, tools, networking and mentorship to help students translate their ideas into viable businesses with the potential to scale. Throughout the fall semester, finalists have received coaching from successful entrepreneurs, immersing themselves in the startup world outside of their classes.

Read more about the two groups representing the College of Engineering.

What is your business idea?

Fynch Interactive creates immersive multiplayer games on Roblox tailored specifically for older Gen-Z players, blending deep storytelling with engaging gameplay mechanics. Our games are free to play and offer high-quality, community-driven experiences that go beyond what’s expected on Roblox.

How did you first get the idea?

The idea for Fynch Interactive came from noticing a gap in the Roblox market. While 41% of daily active users are 17-24 year olds, most games are designed for a younger audience.

Noah, who’s been developing on Roblox for over seven years, and I saw the potential to create experiences that cater to the interests of older players. This realization sparked our mission to fill this underserved niche by designing quality games.

Why do you want to pursue it?

We have been playing games on Roblox since we were in fourth grade, so pursuing this project allows us to create memorable game experiences like the ones that brought us so much joy growing up.

We also believe it can transform the way older players engage on Roblox. By building games that respect our audience’s maturity and desire for depth, we can foster a unique community and provide the kind of immersive storytelling that’s rare on the platform. Roblox’s growing older demographic presents a prime opportunity for Fynch Interactive to establish itself as a leader in this untapped space.

What is the impact of your project?

Fynch Interactive’s impact goes beyond gameplay—we’re creating a space for older players on Roblox to find games that match their interests, while also forming connections with like-minded players.

Our value proposition is our commitment to quality and sophisticated mechanics, providing a level of engagement uncommon on Roblox. Ultimately, we’re redefining what is possible on the platform.

What have you taken away from participating in Entrepreneur Quest?

The EQ program has been invaluable in honing our vision and business strategy for Fynch Interactive. Through its resources and mentorship, we’ve learned how to strategically position our games, navigate funding opportunities and refine our approach to reach our target market effectively. We’ve especially enjoyed connecting with other entrepreneurs who offer fresh perspectives, helping us develop a solid foundation as we prepare to scale. The program has been a driving force in accelerating our progress and confidence in pursuing Fynch Interactive’s goals.

What is your business idea?

Our business is Campus Connect. We make K-12 school information easier to find through the use of artificial intelligence (AI).

How did you first get the idea?

Drew got the idea in his English class during his senior year of high school. He developed the idea for a capstone project that would have an impact on his school’s population as a whole.

Why do you want to pursue it?

We enjoy learning about new technologies and finding new ways that they can help people.

What is the impact of your project?

Our goal is to cut down counselors’ email workload and make their jobs easier. We’re also benefiting students and parents by having lightning-quick response times with accurate information.

What have you taken away from participating in Entrepreneur Quest?

We have enjoyed learning more about business as a whole and hearing from people who have more experience. There are so many talented people at Mizzou.

Choose a university with opportunities to turn your side hustle into a viable, scalable business venture. Choose Mizzou Engineering!