Budding young entrepreneurs will have a chance to showcase their creativity and confidence this Saturday, August 16, at the Downingtown Library during a special Shark Tank-style business pitch competition designed for students ages 9 to 12.
The event is organized in partnership with STEM Change, a student-led club from the Downingtown STEM Academy focused on community service and engagement. Rising 4th through 7th graders will pitch their business ideas in front of a panel of local business owners — “Sharks” — for a chance to win exciting awards and prizes.
The competition aims to develop essential skills such as public speaking, creative thinking, and entrepreneurship in a supportive and encouraging environment. Each participant or team will have five minutes to present their business idea, followed by two minutes for questions from the panel.
Students are encouraged to bring poster boards to visually showcase their projects and may also use props or product models to enhance their presentations. Presenters can sign up individually or in groups of up to four members.
The program will culminate in an awards ceremony between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. on the same day. Participation is free, but spots are limited and registration is required through the official SignUpGenius link.
In preparation for the event, Zoom workshops led by high school business owners have been offered throughout the weeks leading up to the competition. These sessions are designed to help participants refine their pitches, business models, and presentation techniques.
The Shark Tank-style event promises to be an exciting day of innovation and inspiration for the Downingtown community, offering young students a unique opportunity to develop real-world skills in a fun and engaging format.
For questions or more information about the event, contact student coordinator Kavya Krishnakumar at kavyakrish507@gmail.com.
