Homer High School
Business Department
Ms. Calkins
Entrepreneurship
Shark Tank Challenge
The critically-acclaimed business-themed show, Shark Tank, has the Sharks search to invest in
the best businesses and products that America has to offer. The show received a nomination for
a Producers Guild Award in 2013. In 2012 "Shark Tank" received an Emmy nomination for
Outstanding Reality Program and a nomination for a Critics' Choice Television Award for Best
Reality Series. The Sharks -- tough, self-made, multi-millionaire and billionaire tycoons -- give
budding entrepreneurs the chance to make their dreams come true and potentially secure
business deals that could make them millionaires. They are: billionaire: Mark Cuban, owner and
chairman of AXS TV and outspoken owner of the 2011 NBA championship Dallas Mavericks;
real estate mogul: Barbara Corcoran; "Queen of QVC": Lori Greiner; technology
innovator: Robert Herjavec; fashion and branding expert: Daymond John; and venture
capitalist: Kevin O'Leary.
Project Overview:
Over the course of the year we will view several episodes of this critically-acclaimed,
business savvy TV series. We will document each show using an episode review guide
(worth 10 points each), taking notes on good and bad business practices, things
investors look for in a business idea/plan before investing, and professionalism of
presenters. It is with hope, that viewing these episodes of Shark Tank will provide you
with feed for thought and guidance as we embark on the Shark Tank Challenge
(development of your own business plan). This challenge will occur throughout the
length of the course, with development of a section occurring with each unit studied.
The course will culminate in the piecing together of your work from each unit into a
formal, professional, business plan.
You may choose to work individually or with a team (number of team members will be
assigned by the instructor based on class size).
Your business plan will be 20% of your final grade in this class and will be used as final
project required for you to earn the Business CTE seal on your diploma for the state.
Do take advantage of resources at your disposal
Do make appropriate use of your time throughout the course
Do ask for assistance when needed and most importantly
Do have fun!
1
Shark Tank Challenge
Students will develop a written business plan for a hypothetical or actual business.
Students will also orally present their plan to judges in detail.
The following are the basic rules and guidelines established for the Shark Tank
Challenge.
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A student or student team may submit one entry only.
All ideas or business concepts must be legal, within the boundaries of local or
state laws, and be ethical.
This challenge is meant to encourage the actual development of entrepreneurial
skills.
Business plan ideas will be judged on feasibility.
All ideas and business concepts submitted are expected to be original and
created solely by the student with the support from a sponsoring teacher and/or a
provided mentor.
All decisions of the judges are final.
The student or student teams must complete his/her/their own business plan.
Adult assistance, aside from your instructor, should be limited to advice only!
All ideas submitted will remain the property of the submitting student.
Written business plans will be submitted a minimum of 10 days prior to the
competition date.
The Business Plan will be scored separately and represent 50% of the final
competition score. The score will be based on the rubric given.
The oral presentation will represent the remaining 50% of the final score.
The oral presentation should be at least 5 minutes in duration and no more than
15 minutes in length.
The oral presentation will be scored based on the criteria outlined.
The oral presentation score will represent the command of information, data,
clarity in presentation, “persuasion” of investment potential, and ability to respond
to the judge’s inquiry.
2
Written Business Plan Outline
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Cover Page to include the following information:
o Business name
o Type of business
o Company logo and slogan
o Name(s) of the owner(s)
o Date
Table of Contents
o One page - include the major sections of the plan and page numbers.
Executive Summary
o A one page clear overview of the business concept. It should highlight the key
areas of your plan.
Business Description
o Describe your business, give an overview
o Location information (mailing address, phone number, website, email, etc.)
o Legal form (partnership, corporation, etc.) – provide reasoning
o Permits and licensing required
o Vision and/or Mission statement
o Goals & Objectives (short term and long-term)
Product or Service Description
o Product list with pricing
o Identification and review of firm's top competitors/relative market share
o Competitive advantage
o Barriers to entry and strategies to overcome barriers
Market and Industry Analysis
 Documented research (charts and graphs of below information)
 Demographics
 Geographics
 Psychographics
 Behavior
 Target Market (customer profile)
Marketing Plan
Operational Plan
o Production methods and control
o Suppliers/Vendors (inventory, materials, etc)
o Risk management strategies
o Personnel (positions, duties and responsibilities, salaries, and benefits)
o BAIL team
o Exit Strategy
Financial Plan
o Start-up cash flow statement
o Cash flow statement
o Income statement
o Balance sheet
o Break even analysis
Appendix
o Owner/management team resume(s)
o Other supporting documents
 Pricing quotes/estimates
 Advertisements
 Layouts, etc
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Written Business Plan Rubric
Student(s):
Written Business Plan Rubric Scoring Scale
0 = no evidence
1 = little evidence or major flaws
3 = Research well done, few minor omissions, met standards
2 = adequate minimum standards
4 = Research well done, exceeds standards
Cover Page (x1)
0 1 2 3
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Business name
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Type of Business (if not in business name, ie: LLC)
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Company logo and slogan

Name(s) of the owner(s)
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Date submitted
Table Of Contents (x1)
0 1 2 3
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Includes each major section
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Includes page numbers
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Organized and neat
Executive Summary (x1)
0 1 2 3
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Each key section briefly summarized
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Length is one page
Business Description (x3)
0 1 2 3

Describe your business, give an overview

Location information (mailing address, phone number, website, email, etc.)

Legal form (partnership, corporation, etc.) – provide reasoning

Permits and licensing required

Vision and/or Mission statement

Goals & Objectives (short term and long-term)
Product or Service Description (x3)
0 1 2 3

Product list with pricing

Identification and review of firm's top competitors & their relative market share

Competitive advantage

Barriers to entry and strategies to overcome barriers
Market and Industry Analysis (x3)
0 1 2 3

Documented research (charts and graphs of below information)

Demographics

Geographics

Psychographics

Behavior

Target Market (customer profile)
Marketing Plan (x2)
0 1 2 3
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Start-up marketing plan
Operational Plan (x3)
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Production methods and control

Suppliers/Vendors (inventory, materials, etc)

Risk management strategies

Personnel (positions, duties and responsibilities, salaries, and benefits)
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BAIL team

Exit Strategy
Financial Plan (x3)
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Start-up cash flow statement
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Cash flow statement
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Income statement

Balance sheet

Break even analysis
Appendixes (x2)
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Owner/management team resume(s)
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Other supporting documents
o
Pricing quotes/estimates
o
Advertisements
o
Layouts, etc
Structure & Appearance (x3)
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Font size 12
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Double spaced
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1" margins
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No typographical errors
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Spelling, grammar, sentence structure
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Overall appearance
Comments:
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
0
1
2
3
4
0
1
2
3
4
0
1
2
3
4
0
1
2
3
4
Total Points:
Shark Tank Presentation:
Student(s) Name:
________________________________________
CATEGORY
4
3
2
1
CONTENT
Shows a full
understanding of the
topic. Demonstrates
material insight with new
ideas.
Shows a good
understanding of the
topic with detail.
Shows a good
understanding of parts
of the topic, conveys
connections.
Does not seem to
understand the topic
very well.
PREPAREDNESS
Student is completely
prepared and has
obviously rehearsed, is
well organized.
Student seems pretty
prepared but might have
needed a couple more
rehearsals.
The student is
somewhat prepared, but
it is clear that rehearsal
was lacking.
Student does not seem
at all prepared to
present.
VISUALS
Group presents visuals
that present a vast and
complete representation
of material
Group presents
adequate visuals to
support presented
information
Group presents some
visuals but does not
support information
adequately
Presents little or no
supporting visuals
SPEAKS CLEARLY
Speaks clearly and
distinctly all (100-95%)
the time, and
mispronounces no
words.
Speaks clearly and
distinctly all (100-95%)
the time, but
mispronounces one
word.
Speaks clearly and
distinctly most (94-85%)
of the time.
Mispronounces no more
than one word.
Often mumbles or
cannot be understood
OR mispronounces
more than one word.
POSTURE & EYE
CONTACT
Stands up straight,
looks relaxed and
confident. Establishes
eye contact with
everyone in the room
during the presentation.
Stands up straight and
establishes eye contact
with everyone in the
room during the
presentation.
Sometimes stands up
straight and establishes
eye contact.
Slouches and/or does
not look at people
during the presentation.
ENTHUSIASM
Facial expressions and
body language generate
a strong interest and
enthusiasm about the
topic in others.
Facial expressions and
body language
sometimes generate a
strong interest and
enthusiasm about the
topic in others.
Facial expressions and
body language are used
to try to generate
enthusiasm, but seem
somewhat faked.
Very little use of facial
expressions or body
language. Did not
generate much interest
in topic being presented.
SUBJECT
KNOWLEDGE
Student is able to
accurately answer
almost all questions
posed about the topic
with substantial
information and
material.
Student is able to
accurately answer most
questions posed about
the topic.
Student is able to
accurately answer a few
questions posed about
the topic.
Student is unable to
accurately answer
questions posed about
the topic.
ATTIRE
Business attire, very
professional look.
Casual business attire.
Casual business attire,
but wore sneakers or
seemed somewhat
wrinkled.
General attire not
appropriate for audience
(jeans, t-shirt, shorts).
TOTAL POINTS:
Comments:
5
Shark Tank Challenge Presentation
Elements for inclusion:
 Investment request(s)
 Overview of the business (Name, location, brief description, etc)
 Products/Services
 Target Market
o Industry supported statistics
 Barriers to Entry
 Marketing Strategy
 Layout
 Advertisements
 Estimated Financials
Panel of Judges
Judges will be evaluating and selecting top group(s) on the following criteria:
 Feasibility
 Creativity
 Competitive Advantage
 Professionalism
o ability to answer questions
o apparel
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