Rules & Overview

In groups of 1-4, students will prepare a visually pleasing presentation that pitches a start-up company to a group of investors. This is modeled around the show Shark Tank. Teams will have to ask a group of investors/sharks for an amount of money in exchange for a share in their company’s profits. For example, a team might ask for 75,000 dollars in exchange for 15% equity aka the company’s profits. Students will have to introduce their company, explain what they will use the shark’s investment for, why they need a shark to guide them, and convince the sharks that their company is worth investing in. 

When introducing their companies, students will have to explain what their product or service is, their company’s backstory and how it started, how it works, who they are advertising to (target market), who their competitors are, and why/how their company is better than their competitors. If the company they have is the first of its kind, students will need to analyze why they have no competitors. 

After their presentation/business pitch, they will be asked questions by the sharks/judges. The questions may be about their product/service and functionality, clarifying questions on the company’s goal and offer, competitors, etcetera. Be prepared to receive questions like: “Why should we invest in you?” “How are you different?” “Why do you specifically need that amount of money, what will you use it for?”

Groups will have 20 minutes to pitch, including time for questions and answers. 

Every group is expected to create a SWOT Analysis for every business idea presented to the sharks. A SWOT Analysis includes the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the company. This is an important marketing tactic practiced by professionals in the industry.