Business Students Present Concepts in ‘Shark Tank’-Style Arena

Ten teams go head-to-head presenting product concepts before judges and peers

Competition was intense at the end of Sacred Heart University’s fall semester as teams of business students—mostly freshmen—from the Welch College of Business & Technology (WCBT) presented their product plans before peers and a panel of seasoned judges. The rivalry capped a day that also included a business plan poster competition with 41 teams.

Ten teams earned their places before the judges by scoring the highest in each of the WCBT’s 10 introductory business courses. The teams bore the names Potater Creator, HITT Alert, Pisctell, Pocket Socks, Gamespace, Hydro Band/Watch, My Schedule, SHU2Go, NoNets and Social Plug. Their plan presentations were judged on creativity, research support, marketing approach, preliminary financial requirements/projections and professionalism.

The five appointed judges, all with venture capital experience, included Mariel Diaz Castro (CEO, Triditive), Cameron Dukes (Nike), Mike Klehm (SCORE and former GE executive), Brendan McAuley (SHU alumnus and CEO of Chippo Golf) and David Salinas (Founder & CEO of The District).

Martha Crawford, WCBT dean, said the introductory business classes had exposed the students to the basic concepts of accounting, management, marketing and finance, preparing them for the competition. She likened the format to the television show Shark Tank, calling it “energetic and engaging.”

“Very often, people have great ideas, but they don’t pursue them. By exposing our young people to this structure now, we will be giving them a head start. They work all semester in teams and learn how to collaborate and compensate for each other’s weaknesses. It’s meant to be fun and not intimidating,” Crawford said.

Event organizer Valerie Christian, assistant professor of management, offered another end-benefit of the competition. “This is a good opportunity for students to think about what major they want to pursue as they are exposed to many disciplines in a fast way,” said Christian.

This was the first year the fifth annual event took place at SHU’s West Campus, a move that coincided with the WCBT’s relocation to the relatively new campus, formerly GE’s headquarters. “Now the competition aligns with our makerspace, where, in the spring, students will actually be able to prototype their product ideas,” said Jeanne Andreassi, chair of the department of management. “It takes advantage of our new spaces, creates an entrepreneurial culture that inspires interest in starting a business and positions Sacred Heart as an innovation hub.”

The first presenting team was Potater Creator, comprising Jennifer Sabatino, Elizabeth Furfari, Delsy Once-Lopez, Jack Sarkisian, Daniel DiGennaro, Amanda Cangialosi and John Madigan. Their concept was a machine that would slice a potato into chip-size pieces and air fry them. Targeted to ages 24-40, the machine was pitched as a quick and easy convenience with health benefits.

Sabatino, a sophomore transfer, said the machine was modeled on Keurig and inspired by snack lovers on the team. “It would be fun for friends, a project for kids and a plus for sports fans” she said. The team members took on responsibilities based on their majors and personal interests, according to Sabatino, who added, “We all had diverse backgrounds, which helped us bring our ideas together. This has personally inspired me to be more entrepreneurial.”

Another presenting team was Pisctell, with students Matthew Newton, Tyler Kwinta, Ryan Ferrara and Liam Langan. Their product idea was a unit that would attach to a fishing pole and determine the weight and type of fish on the line. The product would go up against competitors like Garmin, emphasizing efficiency and promising a better fishing experience.

After all the plans had been presented and judges remarks considered and tallied, there was a tie for best business plan: My Schedule, with Samantha Deliguori, Kayla Farley, Grace Kelliher, Shannon Maher, Jenna Mullen, Olivia Ross and Isabella Scarmack, and Hydro Band/Watch, with Nicole Buccola, Claudia Bykowski, Myles Jackson, Amanda Sousa and Ryan Stout.

In addition, there were four winning teams in the poster competition:

Best Product Idea—Back Charge, with Kathryn Belmonte, Jennifer Manzanares, Sofia Marcellino, Jasmina Music and John Riccardi

Best Service Idea—Spotlight, with Will Brunet, Tara Lennon, Katelyn Lynch, Ellie Micallef and Eric Tsaousidis

Best Business Idea—Clean Cover, with Victoria Bautz, Grace Fitzgerald, Anna Morel, Connor Trojan, Jacqueline Vallee and Gianna Zampini

Most Creative—Shockwear, with Elizabeth Arcuni, Julia Brzezinski, Colette Cosgrove, Cole Esposito, Peter Katradis and Dominic Schirripa

Photo: From left are Tyler Kwinta, Liam Langan, Ryan Ferrara and Matthew Newton who presented their business idea, Pisctell.