Entrepreneurship education is most powerful when students move beyond theory and into action. Business plans written for class assignments rarely replicate the pressure, unpredictability, and opportunity of presenting to real decision makers. For student entrepreneurs to build confidence, clarity, and resilience, they need authentic platforms to test their ideas. This workshop introduces a replicable campus model designed to do exactly that.
Drawing from experiences competing at multiple SAM International Business Conferences, this session explores how those competitive environments inspired the creation of the Shark Tank Innovation Challenge at Marshall University. Founded in Fall 2023, the initiative was designed as a campus wide business pitch competition that prepares students to present to investors, judges, and live audiences. The goal was not simply to host an event, but to create a structured experiential learning opportunity that strengthens career readiness and entrepreneurial leadership.
The Shark Tank Innovation Challenge provides student entrepreneurs with a formal stage to pitch their business or innovation ideas. Participants compete for cash prizes while receiving direct feedback from judges. This format simulates real investor presentations and accelerates skill development in communication, financial reasoning, persuasion, and adaptability. The competitive element introduces stakes that motivate preparation and elevate performance.
The first three competitions have demonstrated measurable impact. The event has received recognition from local and international media outlets and secured external sponsorship support. More importantly, participants have reported increased confidence and readiness for future entrepreneurial endeavors. Several winners have launched thriving small businesses, strengthened existing organizations, or advanced to state level pitch competitions.
From a management perspective, the model offers a scalable, mission aligned approach to strengthening student organizations and academic communities. SAM chapters and collegiate leaders can adopt this framework to cultivate innovation ecosystems within their own institutions. With faculty and advisor support, chapters can design events that integrate leadership development, applied learning, and community engagement.
This workshop walks attendees through the operational blueprint behind the Shark Tank Innovation Challenge. Topics include event planning, sponsorship development, judging criteria design, marketing strategies, participant recruitment, and post event follow up. The presenters emphasize how to align entrepreneurship programming with broader organizational goals focused on healthy, sustainable enterprises.
Co presented by Jamison Lewis, founder of the event, and Brandon Kelley, an active collegiate leader who helped organize the most recent competition, the session offers practical insights grounded in lived experience. Together, they provide a roadmap for collegiate members and advisors seeking to empower student entrepreneurs while strengthening chapter vitality.
Author and Affiliation
Jamison Lewis, Marshall University
Brandon Kelley, Marshall University
This workshop session will be delivered in person at the SAM International Business Conference within the Entrepreneurship track. Attendees will gain actionable tools for launching business pitch competitions that elevate student innovation, leadership development, and organizational health. For more information visit www.samnational.org/conference