Stark Tank

Updated at 3/31/2021 10:39:47 AM

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What Is Stark Tank?

Led by Stark Education Partnership and modeled after the television show Shark Tank, Stark Tank is a team of Stark County Sharks (successful local entrepreneurs) who are on the hunt to find and fund the best entrepreneurial ideas in our community.

There are three levels for the 2020/2021 Stark Tank: Middle School, High School, and (new this year) College.

Students with an interest in entrepreneurship have the unique opportunity to present their killer business idea as part of Stark Tank in a business pitch competition among their peers.

College Edition

OVERVIEW
Stark Tank: College Edition is a program designed to inspire and develop an entrepreneurial mindset in local college students. The program’s culminating event is a business pitch competition modeled after the television show Shark Tank. Individual or student teams pitch their killer business ideas to a panel of Stark County Sharks (successful local entrepreneurs who serve as judges) and receive expert feedback as well as potentially receive up to a $10,000 investment from the Sharks to pursue their ideas.

GOAL
To find, fund and support marketable businesses to help Stark County grow and prosper.

ELIGIBILITY
Any college student or college team from the University of Akron, Aultman College, Kent State University at Stark, Malone University, University of Mount Union, NEOMED, Stark State College or Walsh University with a startup company or a great entrepreneurial idea is eligible to participate in Stark Tank: College Edition.

PROGRAM TIMELINE
December 8, 7-9: Mentoring open office hours with Sharks
December 15, 7-9: Mentoring open office hours with Sharks
January 20, 7-9: Mentoring open office hours with Sharks
February 1: Business plans and elevator video pitches due
March 1: Top 8 selected for the final business pitch competition
March 10, 7-9: Final mentoring open office hours with Sharks (for the finalists)
April 7, 6:30-8:30: Stark Tank Finals – a live, virtual business pitch competition

Please see here for program rules, pitch application information, presentation details, and more.

Click here to submit your elevator pitch. Due by february 1, 2021!

High School Edition

OVERVIEW
Stark Tank: High School Edition is a program designed to inspire and develop an entrepreneurial mindset in local high school students. The program’s culminating event is a business pitch competition modeled after the television show Shark Tank. Individual or student teams pitch their killer business ideas to a panel of Stark County Sharks (successful local entrepreneurs who serve as judges) and receive expert feedback as well as potentially receive up to an investment from the Sharks to pursue their ideas.

GOAL
To find, fund and support marketable businesses to help Stark County grow and prosper.

ELIGIBILITY
Any high school student or high school team from a Stark County High School with a a great entrepreneurial idea is eligible to participate in Stark Tank: High School Edition.

PROGRAM TIMELINE
December 8, 7-9: Mentoring open office hours with Sharks
December 15, 7-9: Mentoring open office hours with Sharks
January 20, 7-9: Mentoring open office hours with Sharks
February 1: Business plans and elevator video pitches due
March 1: Top 8 selected for the final business pitch competition
March 10, 7-9: Final mentoring open office hours with Sharks (for the finalists)
April 14, 6:30-8:30: Stark Tank Finals – a live, virtual business pitch competition

Please see here for program rules, pitch application information, presentation details, and more.

Click here to submit your elevator pitch. Due by february 1, 2021!

Middle School Edition

OVERVIEW
Stark Tank: Middle School Edition is coordinated by our local school districts, Stark Education Partnership, TomTod Ideas Inc., and Strengthening Stark. This business pitch style program is designed to inspire and develop an entrepreneurial mindset in local middle school students. The program’s culminating event is a business pitch competition modeled after the television show Shark Tank. Individual or student teams pitch their killer business ideas to a panel of Stark County Sharks (successful local entrepreneurs who serve as judges) and receive expert feedback as well as potentially receive up to an investment from the Sharks to pursue their ideas.

Stay tuned-more details to come January 2021!

Leading Partners

Stark County School Districts, Stark Education Partnership

Resources

Share your ideas with Stark Tank!

Be a Part of Stark Tank!

Stark Tank: Shark Reflections from 2019-2020 Program

2019-2020 Stark Tank Event