The Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program and the School of Management announce 15 talented Clark University student participants who will pitch their businesses and ideas to a panel of six distinguished alumni and community leader judges on April 5, 2024. The final pitch day is open to the public and will be held in Tilton Hall starting with participant tabling from 9-10am. Pitches begin at 10am, with award announcements at approximately 4pm. The event will also be live-streamed so family and friends across the globe can join in to watch.

Students pitch for up to $5000 in awards to start, invest, or research their venture!

This year’s Clark Tank Venture Development participants are a great mix of students and small business ideas! First-years through graduate students with businesses in clothing, music, handcrafted jewelry, food, art, services, photography, and even reptile sales!!

The Clark Tank Venture Development 2024 Journey

These entrepreneurial students are supported through the journey by being enrolled in a six-week resources class, taught by Teresa Quinn, E&I Program Manager, with guest speakers each week. Guests and topics include – Sawsan  Berjawi, Clark University, finding a mentor; Elyson dos Santos Rockland Trust, taxes, insurance, accounting, and banking; Tara Ostromecky owner of Makin’ it Marketing, small business marketing; Laura Robinson, Clark University, industry research; Tim Hally ’19, ’20, owner of Munq, storytelling, value proposition, selling, networking, and pitching;  Debra Harrsch ’80, CEO of Brandwidth Solutions, marketing, and pitching; Elery Rojas Wix.com, website development; Tom Herald, SBDC Director, SBDC resources; and Gerri Detweiler, small business finance expert. Additionally, Claire Grant ’24 and Clark Tank ’23 winner is their dedicated teaching assistant and each participant has a one-on-one mentor throughout the journey.

To keep up with the participant’s journey, check out their progress on our student-run website: www.clarkstudentventures.com/venturedevelopment24.

Clark Tank Venture Development 2024 Participants and Mentors

• Manny Torto ’27, owner of Manny’s Mobile Recording Studio, music production, mentor John Freyermuth
• Sophie Lee ’26, owner of Sophpremacy, goth and punk-inspired jewelry, Martina Villanueva’23
• Forest Ryvicker ’26, owner of HighDef Hognose, ethical reptile sales, mentor Tim Hally’19, ’20
• Hodaya Zhang ’27, owner of Little Sky Trinkets, cultural representation accessories, mentor TBA
• Yajaira Bonilla ’25, owner of Milk and Honey, financial resources for college students, mentor Tara Ostromecky 
• Owen Chase ’26, owner of Just for Fun Farms, micro greens, mentor Jack Levine ’19
• Benicio Root ’27, owner of Homes in 1, website, Kyle Josephs
• Kai Cecial ’27, owner of Olympus Solutions, clothing for a cause, mentor Che Anderson
• Jay Zhou ’27, owner of Jay’s Car Detailing, car detailing, mentor Paul Case
• Ana Gonon ’26, owner of Jewels for Pixies, jewelry, Xio Alvarado
• Natalie Hoang ’25, owner of Hoang Media, photography, mentor Lawrence Norman
• Alyssa Martinez ’26, owner of Stamp & Petal, carved art, mentor Martina Villanueva
• Will Brothers ’26, owner of No Hour Vintage, clothing, mentor Andy Acevedo’23
• Neel Kumar ’26, owner of Masala King, music production, mentor TBA
• Andrew Botchway ’26, owner of Botchway Clothing, clothing, mentor TBA

Clark Tank Venture Development 2024 Semi-Finals

The semi-finals are on March 29, 2024, starting at noon. The participants will pitch to the Clark Tank 2024 Committee to determine if they are ready to pitch to the judges at finals on April 5, 2024. Last year, of the 18 that participated in the semi-finals, 12 moved to the finals.

Clark Tank 2024 Committee Members

• Teresa Quinn, E&I Program Manager
• Jennifer Plante ’00, Associate Dean of the College
• Julie Bolduc, Director of Student Employment
• Jose Castro ’22, Executive Director at EforAll
• Henry Reyes ’23 ’24, past Clark Tank winner 2022 & 2023

Clark Tank Venture Development 2024 Finals Judges

• Debra Harrsch ’80, CEO of Brandwidth Solutions
• Max Feber, Shark Tank contestant season 10, episode 9, $50,000 deal with Mark Cuban
• Max Schweitzer ’22, ’23, owner of Schweitzer Studios, Venture Development & Marketing Pitch winner ’23
• Briana Azier ’05, CEO and owner of Bri’s Sweet Treats, #1 Chocolatier/Candy Shop in Central Mass 2023
• Maddy Steigman ’24, Clark Entrepreneurship Club president award presenter, owner of Dough is Me, Clark Tank ’21
• Noel Stemn, CEO and owner of Woo Juice and entrepreneur

As always, thank you to our generous donors Samantha Goodman ’11 and Micheal Goodman!

Learn More About Clark’s E&I Program

Please follow the E&I Program’s social accounts – LinkedIn, TikTok, and Instagram – to keep up with all Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program’s events and activities as well as our events calendar and student-run website www.clarkstudentventures.com.

If you are interested in getting involved with Clark Tank or the E&I program, please reach out to Teresa Quinn at TQuinn@clarku.edu.

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About the Clark University Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program

The E&I courses are designed to help a student identify problems, ideate solutions to those problems, and implement the best solution to bring about the desired change. Whether your interest is business ownership or social change, Clark University’s E&I minor complements any major to help you gain the full benefit of your educational experience and future goals.

Media Contacts:

Teresa Quinn, Manager of the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Program

Email: TQuinn@clarku.edu

Meredith Galena,  Communications Specialist, School of Management

Email: MGalena@clarku.edu