Student entrepreneurs from across Florida State University gathered at the Innovation Hub last week to pitch business ventures in the Student Innovators’ Shark Tank competition.
Hosted and sponsored by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, the competition challenged students to move beyond classroom theory into a startup environment. Participants competed for a $1,000 grand prize to help launch their ventures.
“The JMC Shark Tank offers students a hands-on opportunity to experience what it’s really like to pitch in front of real entrepreneurs and successful business owners,” said May Jingyan Wang, student engagement program coordinator for the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship. “These students are learning how to communicate under pressure, respond to feedback and adapt their strategies in real time, building a level of professional confidence that sharpens their skills regardless of their major.”
Participants delivered a three-minute pitch followed by a five-minute Q&A session with local business owners and entrepreneurs. The judges evaluated each venture based on originality, strength of its value proposition and potential for market success.
“Applying what I’m learning in the classroom to real-world projects allows me to see my efforts come to life while building the confidence I need to be ready for my career.”
—Samir Kanbar, Student Innovators’ Shark Tank participant
The Innovation Hub served as a natural setting for the cross-disciplinary competition.
“The Hub is a unique and central resource for students and faculty from across disciplines to meet and collaborate,” said Ken Baldauf, founding director of the Innovation Hub. “We provide access to emerging technologies and design thinking training that drive innovation for students in every major. We value our close relationship with the Jim Moran College.”
The competition helps students master the art of the elevator pitch while receiving direct feedback from industry professionals. By distilling complex business plans into concise presentations, the event bridges academic study and the practical execution required to launch a company.
A key highlight of this year’s event was the introduction of a virtual investment model. Each member of the judging panel was allocated $100,000 in virtual capital, creating a total pool of $500,000 to “invest” in student-led startups. This simulated venture fundraising environment mirrored real-world capital rounds, with the student securing the highest total investment declared the overall winner.
This year’s winner was Larry Harper, a senior pursuing his undergraduate degree in History. His venture, Chapter, integrates AI and traditional tools to improve student engagement and deliver actionable performance data to universities.
“The Shark Tank is one of the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship’s most valuable initiatives,” Harper said. “Not only does it provide a space for students to socialize and hear other businesses, but it has proven to be the single most important way for students to pitch their ideas, come back again and again, becoming better each time.”
This year’s panel of “Sharks” included Rich Smith, director of Small Business Innovation for Florida Commerce; Tangela Lofton, regional director of the Florida Small Business Development Center; Lonna Peterson, former IT and operations executive; Robert Blacklidge, serial entrepreneur; and Ahmed Negm, Innovation Hub faculty member.
The Student Innovators’ Shark Tank is a signature initiative of the InNOLEvation® Center for Student Engagement, which provides resources and platforms for all FSU students to explore entrepreneurship.
“Competing against such talented and advanced startups at FSU was a blast, and I’m thankful to have been part of it,” said Samir Kanbar, a student majoring in computer science. “Applying what I’m learning in the classroom to real-world projects allows me to see my efforts come to life while building the confidence I need to be ready for my career.”
Through the collaboration of the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship and the Innovation Hub, FSU continues to support student-led innovation and economic development.
Visit the Innovation Hub and Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship websites for more information.