Encouraging for those of us living in Western New York, more than 75 high school students from five school districts had a chance to flesh out their ideas, develop a business plan, and pitch it at the second School of Business Shark Tank Business Pitch competition for high school students on March 13.

The Shark Tank competition has become so popular registrations had to be closed three weeks before the event. Consequently, planning for the 2026 Shark Tank has already begun so the event can host more high school students next year. The lucky students participating this year came from Springville, Lake Shore, Southwestern, Frewsburg, and Fredonia school districts.

There are a lot of reasons why this event is so popular. As Abigail Widger, a returning high school business teacher from Lake Shore Central School District, reported, among the students she brought to the inaugural Shark Tank competition in 2024 were two student not planning to go to college. After their Shark Tank experience and seeing the SUNY Fredonia campus and what it has to offer, they changed their minds. They’re both currently completing their freshman year in the SUNY Fredonia School of Business.

Designed with the long-standing Shark Tank television show in mind, this annual event makes learning how to enter the business world seem less intimidating. The competing students were tasked with identifying, developing, and pitching something that would solve a problem and fill a market need.

Dr. Kaustav Misra presents the Lake Shore Central High School team and their teacher (holding the trophy), Abigail Widger, with red ribbons and a trophy for the winning project they designed and branded “The Right Way.” The award-winning product was a pen that corrects grammar and spelling errors as the holder uses it to write.

The teens formed 12 groups ranging in size from two to five students. They began by brainstorming ideas, ultimately selecting a unique product or service to develop. If similar products or services already existed they also had to decide if there was a big enough market for their version and if they felt strongly it could generate enough revenue to be competitive. Whether they were developing something completely new or not, they needed to identify the characteristics of the people they thought most likely to buy it, who became their target market, and design a marketing plan to convince them to buy. While it was recommended their target market be primarily composed of high school students and their families, some of the team pitches would likely appeal to people in other age ranges too.

Each team had to identify their member’s roles in their proposed business venture. The lead person’s job was the overall management of the project. That person had to facilitate the team’s discussions to keep their work on track. Other team members assumed lead responsibility for specific components. The marketing lead was responsible for customer research and branding. The finance lead had to determine pricing, cost analysis, and revenue streams. Finally, the product/service development lead had to hammer out exactly how their team’s offering would work. Their idea had to make sense and be practical to pursue.

The team proposals featured products and services ranging from ice scrapers to wellness centers and innovative new beverage options like “Aqua Fuel” and “Flavor Flow”, which delivered intriguing new tastes through a straw. Each team had to explain and sell their idea’s features and benefits with gusto.

Teams had time to practice and seek coaching from a large team of SUNY Fredonia School of Business volunteer mentors and facilitators before they presented their products and market plans to their peers and three judges.

Their presentations were judged on an array of considerations, including demonstrating teamwork, a solid business plan, and other essential elements required to succeed in business, including less tangible yet crucial things like enthusiasm and excitement for their product.

This year’s pitch competition was judged by Daniel Heitzenrater, President & CEO of the CHQ Chamber, Gina Paradis, Executive Director of the Chautauqua County Land Bank Corporation, and Alexis Tofil, Youth & Recreation Coordinator for the City of Dunkirk.

People hoping to compete successfully in the business world will find everything they need at the State University of New York at Fredonia. From gaining foundational knowledge to developing competitive world-class skills and leadership know-how, students flourish at SUNY Fredonia.

SUNY Fredonia Business students also have the opportunity to participate in fun and exciting events, including everything from assisting with competitions like the Shark Tank to pitching their own business ideas themselves in a competition designed for SUNY Fredonia business students. Many embark upon real-world experiences, including internships, while enrolled. They leave fully prepared to succeed wherever they choose to go and whatever they decide to do in any business venture. Some also take advantage of opportunities available to them at the Center for Innovation and Economic Development (CIED), formerly the Fredonia Technology Incubator, where students can work with entrepreneurs on real-life market research, business plan development, operations, and unique problem-solving initiatives. Nothing beats learning firsthand what it takes to start and successfully operate a business with a startup company. Students can talk directly with entrepreneurs based at the center and to those the center brings in for special presentations. These types of activities can also open doors to unexpected employment opportunities.

SUNY Fredonia offers a wide range of business programs, including Accounting, Public Accountancy, Finance, Management, Marketing, Business Administration, Music Industry, Sport Management, and Economics.

The SUNY Fredonia Shark Tank organizing team included Dr. Kaustav Misra, Dean of the School of Business, Lisa Walters, PhD, So-Jin Yu, PhD, Lipika Arif, PhD, Chuck Cornell, the SUNY Fredonia Center for Innovation & Economic Development (CIED) Director, and Kaitlin Gelsinger, Coordinator, Pre-College Outreach.

The Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation’s Local Economic Development committee strongly supports SUNY Fredonia and events that positively impact the economic development of our region. SUNY Fredonia is consistently ranked among the best public universities in the Northeast USA and is one of the most affordable. Future business leaders are nurtured there, starting with those attending events like this one when they’re still in high school. SUNY Fredonia School of Business graduates improve our local economy and make the world a better place for everyone.

Patty Hammond is Economic Development Coordinator at the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation. The Local Economic Development (LED) Initiative is a standing committee of the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation (NCCF). Send comments or suggestions to Patty Hammond at phammond@nccfoundation.org