They say Superior is unsalted and shark-free, but this November, Breakwater FCU is bringing the sharks to the Copper Country for an evening of big ideas, bold pitches, and cash prizes at Breakwater’s Superior Shark Tank Challenge!
Middle and high school students are invited to show off their creativity, problem-solving, and business smarts in our first-ever Shark Tank-style competition. Whether it’s a game-changing product, a unique service, or a clever solution to a local problem, you’ll have just five minutes to hook our panel of Copper Country sharks.
Our judges are looking for well-prepared pitches that demonstrate enthusiasm for problem-solving, original thinking, solid market research, and a practical plan for bringing your idea to fruition.
Putting together an effective pitch takes time and research! Not sure where to start? Think of an everyday problem and what type of product or service could help solve that problem.
Do research to see if there are companies that currently provide that good or service. If there are, what will differentiate you from your competition?
Define your target audience. Who are you marketing to and how will that play into your business plan? What will your branding look like? Where will you sell your product or service?
What resources are needed to start this venture and how much will they cost? What investment request are you asking the sharks for, and how will you use those funds?
Explain how this business will evolve and grow in the future.
The best elevator pitches are concise and demonstrate confidence and clarity.
Introduce yourself towards the beginning of the pitch. Some people hook the audience before formally introducing themselves, which can be a unique pitch strategy.
Start with a compelling story or anecdote that hooks the audience and illustrates the problem your product or service solves. Knowing your audience can help you structure your pitch in a relatable way.
Clearly identify your target market by describing who your customer is and how you will reach them. Show that you understand your competition and explain what makes your business stand out.
Describe your business model, identifying how your company will generate revenue. Be sure to support your explanation with numbers and data, to demonstrate that you’ve researched costs, sales channels, and key revenue streams.
Present concrete financial projections to show that you have done your research and have a realistic plan for growth. Clearly state how much money you are asking for, what you will use it for, and what your sharks will receive in return.
Be passionate, enthusiastic, and authentic, leaving the judges with a clear understanding of your vision and the confidence that you can bring it to life.
Planning a pitch for the first time may seem like a big task. That’s why we’ve put together this Pitch Planning Workbook to help you keep your ideas organized.
We’ve also compiled a list of some of our favorite Shark Tank pitches to offer some inspiration:
We want all of our competitors to feel confident and excited when it’s time to pitch their ideas. That’s why we’re hosting an Information & Prep Session, where students can:
Receive one-on-one guidance from mentors and business professionals
Learn tips for building a strong pitch
Ask questions about the competition process
Practice their ideas in a supportive environment
This session is designed to help every participant feel ready to step into the spotlight and bring their best pitch forward!
This session is scheduled to take place on November 4, 2025, at 6PM at the Portage Lake District Library.
P.S. FREE PIZZA WILL BE PROVIDED.
Our panel of sharks will be comprised of business professionals and subject matter experts from the Copper Country community. Collectively, they bring decades of real-world experience in entrepreneurship, finance, marketing, and business development to ensure each pitch is evaluated with fairness and expertise.
Our judges will be looking for a clearly identified problem and a solid business idea, with market research and financial analysis to support their plan. Students should demonstrate professionalism, stay within the time limit, and answer questions in a thoughtful manner.
Students may download the official score sheet to review the judging criteria in advance and prepare their pitches accordingly.
First, second, and third place prizes will be awarded separately for both middle school and high school divisions, ensuring that students compete against peers at a similar level.
In addition to these top prizes, there will also be awards for Audience Choice and Most Dynamic Pitch. The recipient of the Most Dynamic Pitch award will be recognized for their outstanding delivery, story-telling ability, and presentation skills.
To get a clear idea of how many teams are participating, we kindly ask everyone who plans to compete to register no later than Thursday, November 6. Please fill out this form to register you and your team. Only one entry is required per team. Teams can consist of up to three students and must be either all middle school students or all high school students.
