Mizzou Startup Community

🐯 Mizzou’s startup scene is buzzing! From Main Street Summit’s new VC/Startup Track to MidXMidwest, entrepreneurs are connecting, growing, and scaling. We were also at Sierra Ventures’ Emerging Manager Event, where emerging funds and fresh ideas were front and center.

🗞️ In this edition, we’re spotlighting incredible Mizzou talent. Hayes Barnard, founder of GoodLeap and GivePower, was inducted into the Mizzou Hall of Fame for his global impact on sustainable energy and philanthropy. Kiley Grimes turned her Missouri Startup Weekend idea into a reality with Soundcheck, a "WeWork for musicians."

We’re also celebrating the winners of the Entrepreneurship Quest, who secured $30,000 in startup funding—fueling the next generation of innovators. Plus, Dave Spence’s entrepreneurial journey—from scaling a $260M business to owning Spence Vineyards—proves that Tigers don’t just follow the path, they create it. Plus, Brett Calhoun joined the team at AACE as Lead Advisor to guide the next generation of investors.

Stay tuned for all the latest updates on Mizzou’s entrepreneurial ecosystem! 🚀

📰 Headline of the Month: Hayes Barnard Inducted into the Mizzou Hall of Fame

In a fitting tribute to a Tiger who has changed countless lives, Hayes Barnard, founder of GoodLeap and GivePower, joins the esteemed ranks of the Mizzou Hall of Fame. As the co-founder and CEO of GoodLeap, Barnard has helped finance $18 billion in loans for climate-friendly home upgrades, with his company valued at $12 billion. He also founded GivePower, bringing clean water and energy to underserved communities. In 2022, Barnard was featured on the Forbes cover, ranked #271 on the Forbes 400 list with a $4 billion net worth, and earned a perfect self-made score of 10/10.

A Tiger making global impact. Congrats, Hayes! Learn more ⤵️

Highlights from Columbia and Beyond 📈

💸 Entrepreneurship Quest Student Accelerator Grants $30,000 in Startup Funding

Congratulations to Fynch Interactive for winning 1st place at the Entrepreneurship Quest Student Accelerator and taking home $15,000! 🎉 Fynch Interactive creates immersive multiplayer games on Roblox, blending fun and strategy with social interaction. Their titles, like Work at a Firework Tent and The Perishables, engage Gen-Z players while offering brands unique marketing opportunities. They also won 3rd at Missouri Startup Weekend in April. Can’t wait to see where these guys go! 🚀

Founders: Lucas Crow and Noah Fouts

How Missouri Startup Weekend Winner Turned Her Idea Into Reality 🚀

Like a WeWork for musicians, Soundcheck solves the challenge of finding creative space by offering bookable studios for rehearsals, recording, and more. Kiley Grimes took second place at Missouri Startup Weekend last spring, and we’re thrilled to see her bring this vision to life.

Interested in investing in Mizzou alums or students?💰️ Sign up below

Campus Chatter 📣

🤝 Brett Calhoun Joins AACE as Lead Advisor to Guide Mizzou's Student-Led Venture Fund

The Allen Angel Capital Education (AACE) Program offers Mizzou students a one-of-a-kind opportunity to gain hands-on experience in venture capital. With approximately $700,000 in assets under management and investments in 15 portfolio companies, AACE operates like a real-life VC firm. Each semester, 15-20 cross-disciplinary students serve as Investment Analysts, managing deal flow, conducting due diligence, structuring deals, and monitoring portfolio companies to drive returns for the fund.

This semester, AACE welcomed Brett Calhoun, General Partner at Redbud VC and AACE alum, as Lead Advisor. Brett brings his expertise back to Mizzou to mentor the next generation of investors and entrepreneurs.

Applications are now open for the Mizzou Venture Studio, sponsored by Redbud VC and EquipmentShare. Students from the four UM System universities can participate in the studio at the Griggs Innovators Nexus in the MU Student Center. The program offers education, mentorship, and capital.

Student Entrepreneurs 🚀

🎓 Alumni of the Month: Dave Spence

Dave Spence has done it all—scaled a struggling plastic bottle business into a $260M giant, built multiple companies from the ground up, and now runs a Napa Valley vineyard and a four-star restaurant in Park City.

This semester, Dave stopped by AACE to talk shop and answer questions about his career. He shared insights on scaling businesses, taking risks, and how he’s turned “pretty darn fun” ventures into serious wins.

Thanks for coming back to Mizzou, Dave—your story is proof that Tigers don’t just follow the trail; they blaze it. 🚀

Alumni Fundraising 💰️ 

• Personal AI raised a Seed round

• Flamel AI raises Pre Seed round

• GoodLeap raises $428.8M Debt round

Alumni Job Openings 💼 

• Resla

• Zapier

• HoundDog

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