August 23 2024

“It’s not about ideas. It’s about making ideas happen.”

– Scott Belsky

August 22, 2024: Bring a future-focused, innovative idea / product / service to life that has the potential to become a profitable business venture.

With a perspective to develop an entrepreneurial mind-set in the young minds of Senior Secondary students, The Shishukunj International School, North Campus hosted its first-ever Shark Tank competition on August 22, 2024 (Thursday).

Modelled after the popular television show, this event brought together young Shishyans eager to dive into the world of business and pitch their projects to a panel of ‘Sharks’.

The Sharks

The panel of judges composed of the school’s Vice-Principal, Ms Asha Bhatia and Ms Mohini Singh. Both the judges brought a wealth of knowledge and experience with them.

The Competition

The competition held in the Conference Room was transformed into a bustling arena of innovation and entrepreneurship as the Shishyans of the four houses namely, Lata Mangeshkar House, Kalam House, Dhyanchand House and Devi Ahilya House showcased their unique ideas in the much-anticipated competition. From eco-friendly products to tech solutions, the Shishyans left no stone unturned in their pursuit of success.

Team 1: This group of Shishyans introduced a user-friendly website ‘SUTRA’ that allowed consumers to browse and purchase products from nearby retailers. The website also handled seamless logistics, ensuring products which moved from wholesaler warehouses to retailers’ shop and then directly to the consumers’ doorsteps quickly and reliably. Their presentation included a detailed plan for implementation.

Team 2: This team of enthusiasts with a tag-line ‘GREENS ON THE GO: Simple Ingredients, Delicious Memories’ targeted an audience which included gym enthusiasts, cyclists, athletes etc. residing in Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities. Their USPs included plant-based vegan food product options, replacing meats with mock meats and delivery of proportionate raw. Their business model had the options of ‘A Vegan Food Truck’ and ‘Raw Material Delivery’.

Team 3: With an aim to deal with mental health issues like depression, stress, anxiety among adolescents, this group designed an app EMOJOY: Emotions Unveiled, Joy Revealed. Their app would help people understand their emotions better so that they can balance them and ultimately lead a joyful life. It would use haptic feedback or subtle on-screen alert to notify the users of issues like elated stress or poor posture thereby provide quick tips.

Team 4: Addressing the need for providing clean drinking water to everyone and everywhere, this team came up with DRINKLEAN, a multi-functional water bottle that transformed dirty water into clean, drinkable water. This special water bottle made of BPA-free, leach resistant silicone had many features. It was handy, durable, eco-friendly, reusable and available in different sizes and designs.

All the four teams were well prepared to convince the ‘Sharks’ about the profitability of their products. The participants, armed with statistics and in-depth research made their arguments emphatic.

The Verdict

The efforts of all the teams were applauded by one and all. While announcing the much awaited results, the Sharks appreciated all the teams for their unique ideas and impactful presentations. They also inspired all the students to think out of the box and explore the entrepreneur hidden in them.

• First Position was secured by Team 4 (Dhyan Chand House)
• Second Position was secured by Team 2 (Kalam House)
• Third Position was secured by Team 3 (Lata Mangeshkar House)

The Shark Tank competition was more than a contest. It was a comprehensive learning experience for both the participants and the audience. It provided a unique opportunity for the Shishyans to step into the shoes of entrepreneurs, think critically and articulate their ideas with confidence. The event also underscored the School’s commitment to holistic education, emphasising the importance of financial literacy and entrepreneurial skills as integral components of a well-rounded academic curriculum.

As the curtains fell on the First Edition of the Shark Tank competition, it was clear that this was just the beginning of a tradition that would continue to inspire and cultivate the entrepreneurs of tomorrow.