Maggie Lile, Features editor

Hungry for some competition? Looking for some cash? Hoping for some support for your next big idea? The 2025 Entrepreneur Baby Shark contest can check all of those boxes. This competition is inspired by the high-risk, high-reward series “Shark Tank” — the reality show featuring groups and individuals with big dreams, pitching their ideas to a council of well-established experts of industry. The difference? The competition is right here on campus and includes no risk whatsoever, yet all the reward. 

Run by the School of Business and open to all Augsburg students, the Baby Shark contest aims to attract young entrepreneurs that are driven to change the world. With over $10,000 in cash prizes to give away, the Business Advisory Council (BAC) will play the role of the sharks when judging proposals or services for business or nonprofits alike. A range of ideas can be explored, such as poverty alleviation, environmental sustainability or technology-based ventures, and can be designed based on various types of business models. 

With ideas drawn from “Shark Tank,” Augsburg’s Baby Shark contest was also inspired by the Auggie Entrepreneur Cup. “In December, we completed our 2nd year for the Auggie Entrepreneur cup. The Auggie Cup projects are from actual entrepreneurs,” said Dr. George Dierberger, an associate professor of business administration and director of Augsburg University’s MBA program, in an interview with the Echo. “Our [BAC] loved the Auggie Cup and wanted to engage more students into the entrepreneurial space and they wanted it to be open to all students.”

So what does it take to be the next Baby Shark? The contest is open to individuals or groups of up to four students. When the contestant(s) has their idea, they will fill out a PowerPoint slide deck that is provided by the BCA. This slide deck provides a detailed outline of what should be included in the presentation of their idea, such as their logo, slogan, marketing tactics and financial proposition. It will also act as the business proposal. 

With the completion of the “Auggie Baby Shark Contest 2025” Google form by March 31, contestants will be officially entered into the competition. Judges will review their proposals, basing their decisions off of seven equally-weighted criteria: originality, value proposition, competitive advantage, market opportunity, shareholders and social impact, feasibility and the quality of research. 

By April 10, the judges will have selected 10 finalists. Those finishing in the top 10 will then prepare for the final round of competition, a 15-minute presentation on April 25 in front of a panel of BAC members. Once decided, the winner will be awarded $3,000. Second place will receive $2,000, third place earning $1,000 and the remaining six teams will get $500, according to Dr. Dierberger. “The winning team receives the prize money, which they can use to start their business or pay for additional research. They will also receive access to the BAC, which is comprised of investors and entrepreneurs. The winning team will also be considered for the Auggie Entrepreneur Cup in the fall,” he added.

If you think you have what it takes to be the next Baby Shark, make sure to submit your project proposal by March 31!

Hungry for some competition? Looking for some cash? Hoping for some support for your next big idea? The 2025 Entrepreneur Baby Shark contest can check all of those boxes. This competition is inspired by the high-risk, high-reward series “Shark Tank” — the reality show featuring groups and individuals with big dreams, pitching their ideas to a council of well-established experts of industry. The difference? The competition is right here on campus and includes no risk whatsoever, yet all the reward. 

Run by the School of Business and open to all Augsburg students, the Baby Shark contest aims to attract young entrepreneurs that are driven to change the world. With over $10,000 in cash prizes to give away, the Business Advisory Council (BAC) will play the role of the sharks when judging proposals or services for business or nonprofits alike. A range of ideas can be explored, such as poverty alleviation, environmental sustainability or technology-based ventures, and can be designed based on various types of business models. 

With ideas drawn from “Shark Tank,” Auggie’s Baby Shark contest was also inspired by the Auggie Entrepreneur Cup. “In December, we completed our 2nd year for the Auggie Entrepreneur cup. The Auggie Cup projects are from actual entrepreneurs,” said Dr. George Dierberger, an associate professor of business administration and director of Augsburg University’s MBA program in an interview with the Echo. “Our [BAC] loved the Auggie Cup and wanted to engage more students into the entrepreneurial space and they wanted it to be open to all students.”

So what does it take to be the next Baby Shark? The contest is open to individuals or groups of up to four students. When the contestant(s) has their idea, they will fill out a PowerPoint slide deck that is provided by the BCA. This slide deck provides a detailed outline of what should be included in the presentation of their idea, such as their logo, slogan, marketing tactics, financial proposition and will act as the business proposal. With the completion of the “Auggie Baby Shark Contest 2025” Google form by March 31, contestants will be officially entered into the competition. Judges will review their proposals, basing their decisions off of seven equally-weighted criteria: originality, value proposition, competitive advantage, market opportunity, shareholders and social impact, feasibility and the quality of research. 

By April 10, the judges will have selected 10 finalists. Those finishing in the top 10 will then prepare for the final round of competition, a 15-minute presentation on April 25 in front of a panel of BAC members. Once decided, the winner will be awarded $3,000. Second place will receive $2,000, third place earning $1,000 and the remaining six teams will get $500, according to Dr. Dierberger. “The winning team receives the prize money, which they can use to start their business or pay for additional research. They will also receive access to the BAC, which is comprised of investors and entrepreneurs. The winning team will also be considered for the Auggie Entrepreneur Cup in the fall,” he added.

If you think you have what it takes to be the next Baby Shark, make sure to submit your project proposal by March 31!