With bachelor’s and master’s degrees now under his belt, Montana State University alumnus Quinn Holland’s advice to current students is still what drives him every day.
“Relentlessly chase what excites you in life. If there is something that you are curious about, chase it until the end of the earth and until you’re satisfied with the answer,” Holland said. “If you’re not satisfied with the answer, keep chasing it. Lean into what sparks your curiosity about the world.”
Chasing his curiosities is what led Holland, after he graduated, to start his own business that blends his interests in agriculture, health and entrepreneurship. He honed these passions as a student and said lessons he learned through MSU’s master’s in innovation and management (MSIM) degree, offered by the Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship, are always front of mind as he works toward his goals.
In February, Holland co-founded a new startup business called Nutrax, which aims to connect large food companies that have sustainability and nutrition goals with agricultural producers who can help achieve them. For example, a company like PepsiCo may want to source from farmers who use regenerative practices, such as planting certain drought-tolerant crops or reducing tillage. Nutrax helps such companies find and invest in the type of farmers they are seeking.
While the government sponsors some programs to pay farmers for regenerative practices, the investment of a private company can reduce the cost for everyone, Holland said. The goal is to make regenerative solutions more economically viable for Nutrax’s network of producers, while also helping corporations materially improve the health of the people and the planet.
Holland launching his business idea exemplifies the goals of the MSIM program. Started in 2021, the program helps students develop technical ideas and commercialize them. Students gain firsthand experience workshopping ideas with researchers, entrepreneurs and industry leaders.
“An entrepreneurial mindset is a key value that we instill in our students, and the MSIM program helps students use their technical backgrounds to fine-tune novel business ideas,” said Brian Gillespie, dean of the business college.
“The MSIM degree doesn’t limit students to one passion or area of expertise,” added Michelle Haught, the program director. “We teach students that combining all their strengths and skillsets is what makes the greatest impact. For example, just because you studied computer science doesn’t mean you can’t also succeed in business.”
Holland is one of many MSU students who have pursued a multitude of interests. Originally from Asheville, North Carolina, Holland has always been interested in agriculture and working with natural resources. He earned his bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering from MSU in 2021 and soon after graduating went to an information session about the unique master’s degree.
The program seemed like a good opportunity to broaden his horizons and skillset, Holland said. Having worked as a ranch hand in Wyoming for multiple summers, he knew he didn’t want a desk job. Plus, a $3 million donation from Norm Asbjornson – namesake of MSU’s engineering college – helped cover student tuition, administrative support and other costs to launch the program, encouraging more students with science and technology backgrounds to combine their skills with business and management. Holland applied to the inaugural class and earned his master’s degree in 2022.
“Quinn is an amazing snapshot of what MSIM alumni are doing, and how the MSIM program brings together technical and business expertise to help graduates launch truly innovative business solutions to address complex challenges,” said Brooke Lahneman, an assistant professor of management in the business college who teaches in the program.
The one-year program taught Holland marketing techniques and the people and business skills required of entrepreneurs. He took courses in business strategy, marketing and new product innovation, among others.
A highlight of the coursework was working with two existing companies, both of which partnered for one week at the start of the semester with the business college and presented a business problem for students to solve. The students were given 72 hours to research the problem and then present possible solutions, Holland said.
Holland said the lessons he learned through those sessions transferred well when it came time to start his own business. The program helped him identify which products and services were viable by evaluating the market and the amount people are willing to pay.
“In business, you’re taking solutions that exist and adapting them to meet a unique need, or you’re building brand new solutions. These are the basics — understanding what problems people face and how we solve those problems better,” Holland said. “And then there’s marketing, sales, execution, administrative work, all skills we learned in the program.”
While still just getting the business started, Holland plans to stay connected with MSU for potential assistance and resources. He’s considering applying for a Venture Grant through MSU’s LaunchPad, which is housed in the business college, or even working with the MSIM program so that his ideas for the business could be workshopped by future students.
Holland said a handful of MSU professors were particularly influential to him, including Ara Megerdichian, a business instructor and former director of the MSIM program, and Tony Hartshorn, a soils professor he had in undergraduate environmental classes. Both professors shared so much energy and passion with their students and got them excited about learning, he said.
“I think MSU professors really help students find their interests and spark curiosity in the subject they’re teaching,” Holland said. “They really helped encourage me to identify my goals and keep chasing them to make a difference.”
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