The week of December 12, FPA of MN members joined other Twin Cities professionals as “Shark” volunteers, judging the annual "Shark Tank" business presentations conducted at Chaska and Chanhassen High Schools. The student teams gave a roughly 10-minute pitch to the judges that covered these areas:
- Business opportunity, its mission and unique value proposition
- Target market
- Business location – and why
- How the business will be marketed
- How much financial resources are required
- Leadership, managerial and staff requirements
From concepts for new coffee shops in Dinkytown to specialty grilling shops in Austin, TX, the students had some very creative and well-planned start-ups. And, while students across all grades could participate in Shark Tank, for the freshman in particular, it was often the first presentation they have made to anyone other than their peers or classroom teacher.
In a follow-up from the Chaska teacher, she noted, “My students and I are grateful to have an authentic audience for their presentations and I firmly believe it significantly impacted their learning, allowing me to provide them with meaningful feedback in a real-world scenario.”
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