Junior Shark Tank

• Chair: Kelly Barger

• Co Chair: Amy Holland

• First Round  Registration by March 10, 2026 end of business- all open slots available for the taking on first-come, first-serve basis.

• 🛑Deadline For Registration March 17, 2026

• FORM for: COMPETITION PRESENTATION SUBMISSIONS  

  • (Presentations must be submitted by March 17 EOB! Late entries will loose points.)

1 Team of 2 students from each school

• The 2026 Competition will be in a Hybrid Format where students design their product or service in the classroom and present at the tech fair.

• Each Team will Submit their presentation 5 school days prior to the competition (March 11th) - Presentation Template

• Students can make a 1 page online flyer to have on the screen behind them while they do the elevator pitch.  The online flyer can information such as the product name, student names, a picture of the product, target market. 

• The first 8 categories will be scored by the judges prior to the tech fair on the rubric. Jr. Shark Tank Rubric

• Each Team will do a 1 minute elevator pitch that explains their product and the branding and marketing they will do to market their product.  They should have a specific target market.  They will get one question from each judge.  Potential Questions From Judges

• Students should check in by 5:15, competition begins by 5:25. 

• Students can review the potential questions from the judges and the rubric prior to arriving at the tech fair.

Jr Shark Tank Competition Task for Students- Student Presentation Template    /   Rubric

Overview: You will be participating in a county-wide (Jr. Shark Tank)  competition, where you and your teammate will represent your school by developing a simple product or service and presenting your business plan at the tech fair. This is an exciting opportunity to showcase your creativity, business acumen, and marketing skills!

Your Task:

1. Team Formation:

   • You will work in pairs to create your product and develop a business plan.

2. Product Development:

   • Design and create a simple product that could be sold on ETSY. Your product should be unique, practical, and appealing to a specific target market. Consider the materials, costs, and potential for mass production.

3. Branding:

   • Develop a brand identity for your product. This includes choosing a name, designing a logo, and creating a brand story that resonates with your target market. Your branding should be consistent across all aspects of your presentation.

4. Marketing Strategy:

   • Develop a marketing strategy that explains how you will promote your product to your target market. Consider where and how you will advertise, what social media platforms you might use, and any other promotional tactics. Your strategy should align with your brand and appeal to your target audience.

5. Target Market:

   • Clearly define your target market. Consider factors such as age, gender, location, interests, and purchasing behavior. Your product, branding, and marketing strategy should all be tailored to meet the needs and preferences of this group.

6. Elevator Pitch:

   • Prepare a 1-minute elevator pitch that explains your product, branding, and marketing strategy. Your pitch should be clear, compelling, and concise, effectively communicating the value of your product to potential customers and judges.

7. Presentation:

   • On the night of the tech fair, you will present your product and business plan to a panel of judges. Your presentation will include:

     • Your 1-minute elevator pitch.

     • A display of your product and branding materials.

     • An explanation of your marketing strategy and target market.

8. Judging Criteria:

   • Your team will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

     • Elevator Pitch: Clarity, persuasiveness, and completeness in explaining the product, branding, and marketing strategy.

     • Product Design: Innovation, design quality, and suitability for the target market.

     • Branding: Creativity, consistency, and alignment with the product and target market.

     • Marketing Strategy: Comprehensiveness, innovation, and suitability for the target market.

     • Target Market Definition: Specificity and appropriateness of the target market.

     • Overall Presentation: Professionalism, polish, and teamwork.

Timeline:

• You will have several weeks to develop your product, branding, and marketing strategy in class. Your teacher will provide guidance and feedback along the way.

• Final presentations will take place at the tech fair on [insert date], where you will compete against teams from other schools.

Good luck! This is your chance to shine and potentially launch the next big product or service in Frederick County.