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Clark Tank 2024 Logo by Molly Nguyen ’26

 

The Clark Tank platform offers three unique funding events throughout the school year – Venture Development, Marketing Pitch Competition, and Business Pitch Competition.

Supporting these different challenges is a robust speaker series with alumni entrepreneurs, successful business developers, and a past winners’ panel.

Accepted ventures are awarded  $100 of investment seed money from the Clark Tank Committee at the start of the journey. Participants are emerged in mentoring from Clark entrepreneurship faculty and staff, as well as, alumni and successful entrepreneurs. Other events related to Clark Tank – Venture Development include Clark Collective-sponsored popups, an intensive prep class with guests, pitch practice, and other venture development activities.

At the end of the journey, the Clark Tank participants earn the opportunity to pitch at the semi-finals to the Clark Tank Committee to secure a spot to pitch to a judging panel of alumni, staff, faculty, and past ClarkTank winners, for a chance to be awarded additional venture funding up to $5000!

Clark Tank Venture Development received 24 applications in December 2023. Of the 24, 16 ventures were accepted to compete in the months-long challenge.

Clark Tank Venture Development 2024 List of Events

  • January 17, 2024, Clark Tank Welcome Dinner
  • January 19 – March 1, 2024, Clark Tank Venture Development boot camp course
    •  Boot camp guest speakers: Sawsan Berjawi, Clark University Career Services; Elyson dos Santos, Rockland Trust; Tara Ostromecky, Makin’ it Marketing; Laura Robinson, Clark University Research; Tim Hally, Munq; Debra Harrsch, Brandwidth Solutions; Elery Rojas, Wix.com; Tom Herold, SBDC; Gerri Detweiler, NAV.com.
  • February 1, 2024, one-on-one pitch creation with Debra Harrsch, CEO of Brandwidth Solutions
  • February 14, 2024, Clark Collective Clark Tank popup
  • March 11-22, 2024, one-on-one pitch deck development and practice with Teresa Quinn, E&I Program Manager 
  • March 13-18, 2024, pitch deck workshop with Crysta Spitzfaden
  • March 22, 2024, pitch practice in front of a live audience
  • March 29, 2024, semi-finals
  • April 5, 2024, FINALS

Clark Tank Venture Development 2024 Participants

  • Just for Fun Farms, Owen Chase ’26, mentor Jack Levine, founder of Town to Table
  • HighDef Hognose, Forest Ryvicker ’26, mentor Tim Hally, founder of Munq
  • Hoang Media, Natalie Hoang ’25, mentor Lawrence Norman
  • Stamp and Petal, Alyssa Martinez ’26, mentor Martina Villanueva owner of Magpies Collect
  • Manny’s Mobile Recording Studio, Manny Torto ’27, mentor John Freyermuth, Audio Engineer
  • Gen Scholar, Yajaira Bonilla ’25, mentor Tara Ostromecky, Makin’ it Marketing
  • Olympus Solutions, Kai Cecil ’27, mentor Che Anderson, UMass
  • Home in 1, Benicio Root ’27, mentor Kyle Joseph, realtor
  • Sophpremacy, Sophie Lee ’26, mentor Martina Villanueva, owner of Magpies Collect
  • Little Sky Trinkets, Hodaya Zhang ’27, mentor Claire Grant owner of Dragon Ink
  • Boltchway Clothing, Andrew Botchway ’26, mentor Sean Christy
  • Masala King, Neel Kumar ’26, Bess Holland-Agnitti
  • Jay’s Detailing and Cleaning, Jay Zhou ’26, mentor Paul Case, Clark University
  • Jewels for Pixies, Ana Gonan ’26, mentor Xio Alvarado
  • No Hour Vintage Clothing, Will Brothers ’26, mentor Andy Acevedo

Clark Tank Venture Development 2023 Judging Panel

Debra Harrsch ’80, president and CEO of Brandwidth Solutions

 Max Feber, Shark Tank Contestant Season 10, Episode 9

Briana Azier ’05, Owner of Bri’s Sweet Treats

Max Schweitzer ’22, ’23 owner of Schweitzer Studios, Clark Tank Venture development; marketing pitch winner 2023

Maddy Steigman ’24, Clark Entrepreneurship Club President, owner of Dough is Me and Clark Tank ’21 participant

Noel Stemn, owner of Woo Juice and Entrepreneur


Clark Tank Generous Donors

Samantha Goodman ’11 and Michael Goodman

Christina Bai ’13

Idriss Laouali Abdou ’21 MBA

The Clark Tank Marketing Pitch Competition is a new addition for 2023. Through the generous donation and guidance of Debra Harrsch ’80, the marketing pitch competition has become a yearly Clark Tank event.

The E&I Program partnered with the student chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMA) to host 10 marketing workshops to prep the participants for the final pitch day.

  • January 24 – April 2, 2024, AMA & E&I Program Marketing Workshop Series
    • Personal Branding & the Science of Persuasion – John Dobson
    • Building Brand Stories that Connect – Tim Hally
    • Talking Marketing! Podcasting – Allen Ibrahim
    • Brand Love – Lawrence Norman
    • Building Community Through Event Marketing – Emilee Cocuzzo
    • Resume and Job Interviewing Best Practices – Mark Gefteas
    • Marketing Basics for Small Businesses – Nick Keyes
    • Networking – Bri Azier
    • How to Pitch a Marketing Plan – Teresa Quinn
    • Social Media and Personal Branding – Bob Cargill

Clark Tank Marketing Pitch 2024 Participants Announced Soon


Clark Tank Marketing Pitch Judging Panel

Noah Katz ’26, owner of the Umpire Channel

Tara Ostromecky, owner of Makin’ it Marketing

Jim Keogh, Associate VP of Communications at Clark University

Clark Tank Marketing Pitch Generous Donor of Award – $1000

Debra Harrsch ’80, CEO of Brandwidth Solutions

This Clark Tank challenge helps design a pitch that will wow angel investors and venture capitalists. All participants of the Business Pitch Competition will be provided with tools and resources to help develop their concepts and ideas. Additionally, this challenge will help you explore your market, understand your customers and competitors, and develop a top-notch funding pitch. 

Clark Tank Business Competition 2023, mentor five ventures with seven Clark student entrepreneurs through a six-week course.  At the end of the course, all participants pitched to a distinguished panel of judges on February 27, 2023.

 

 Clark Tank Business Pitch Competition 2024 Judging Panel

Greg Montemurro, Founder of Capital Z and Operations Coordinator at DCU FinTech Innovation Center

 Brad Kern, Operating Partner at Andreessen Horowitz

Katie Cella ’15, President of Bixal

Rick Treitman ’73, Entrepreneur in Residence at Adobe

Ryan Cohen ’18, founder of Top Shelf Cannaseurs and Kind Run Delivery

 

Pitch Finals – February 27, 2023

Crowdfunding Campaign 

The Clark Tank Crowdfunding Competition is a test run for future student crowdfunding campaigns. Clark E&I teamed up with GiveButter, a crowdfunding platform, to design and launch real funding campaigns. More to come.

Clark Tank 2023 Committee

 Teresa Quinn, Jen Plante ’00, Julie Bolduc, Jose Castro ’22, and Sujhan Ghimire ’23

A special thanks to Samantha Goodman ’11, Michael Goodman, and Swing Issues Media for additional funding.

Past Clark Tank and Ureka Challenge Participants

group photo of CTVD2022

Clark Tank Venture Development 2022 Participants Finalist

  • Colors of the Wynned, owner Wynne Dromey ’25, judge funding $2000 Artist
  • Brooklyn Things, owner Henry Reyes ’24, judge funding $1500, sells thrifted sneakers, jewelry, and clothing to customers online and through in-person sales
  • Eshaillustrations, owner Esha Shetty ’22, judge funding $1500
  • SquidInk, owner Lara Jordan ’23, judge funding $1200, South Asian artist, selling tangible art with original unique art
  • Bibo Drinks, owner Elli Mouchtaridou ’24, judge funding $1000, professional beverage catering business
  • Book EZ, co-owners Chris Nguyen ’23 and Naveed Sattar ’23, judge funding $1000, recycled textbooks
  • Plantasia, owner Emily Steiger ’23, judge funding $1000, plants
  • Winklas Works, owner Rachel Winkler ’23, judge funding $800 controversial art
  • Beads by Becky, owner Becky Caswell-Shacham ’24, judge funding $800, jewelry
  • Haley’s Handmades, owner Haley McCurry ’22, judge funding $750, jewelry
  • Scavenger Ventures, designer Clarissa Ko ’25, judge funding $750
  • Safety Spray, co-owners Adam Rotem ’25 and Sasha Cohen ’25, judge funding $550

Additional Clark Tank Venture Development 2022 Participants

  • Cayetana Rodriguez
  • Idriss Laouali Abdou
  • Bailey Schiering
  • Andrew Pimental
  • Bryon Lind
  • Kasandra Thach
  • Cassandra Meyers
  • Sumeyra Gunduz
  • Rosie Cohen
  • Sonny Siemenski
  • Sophie Phelan
  • Yvanna Torres
  • Sage Rumery
  • Zhihao Feng
  • Aniket Pandey
  • Prasta Pokhrel
  • Amal Ahmed
  • Natalie Ward

Clark Tank Venture Development 2022 Judging Panel

Debra Harrsch ’80, president and CEO of Brandwidth solutions

Ulysses Youngblood, adjunct faculty, owner of Major Bloom

Gari De Ramos ’21, ’22, founder of Radical in Progress

Tim Hally ’20, ’21, co-owner of Munq, LLC

Rosie Gallant, Director of Employer Engagement at Clark University

Clark Tank App Design Challenge 2022 Final Awards

  • Mahdi Boulila and Caleb Kluchman – Clark organizations and small business app, $500 judge award
  • Martina Villanueva – Magpie collects retail app, $250 judge award
  • Sean Christy – men’s health and wellbeing app, $250 judge award
  • Nik Sokol – PTSD mental health app, $100 judge award

Additional Clark Tank App Design Challenge 2022 Participants

  • Jared Brudner
  • Clarissa Ko
  • Chris Nguyen
  • Aniket Pandey

Clark Tank Venture Development 2022 Judging Panel

Tracy Deforge,  founder and partner at The Players’ Impact

Crysta Spitzfaden ’19, developer of Fresh Food Waster app

Alex Turgeon ’16, ’17, Booz Allen Hamilton and app developer

Terrasa Ulm, Professor of Practice Clark University Game Design

Dilasha Shrestha ’22 computer science major and Digital Manager of E&I Program

Ureka Challenge 2021 Participants

  • Pennywise PPE Protection, owner Ethan Lutz ’21 Judge funding $4000 Produces a germicidal copper-lined bag that prevents cross-contamination buildup of PPE.
  • Radical in Progress, founder Gari De Ramos ’21 Judge funding $3000 A social enterprise serving as a one-stop-shop for social justice education.
  • No Worries Skincare, owner Julia Dantzler ’24 Judge funding $2500 An affordable way to treat your skin and the environment with the respect they deserve.
  • Magpies Collect, owner Martina Villanueva ’23 Judge funding $1700, Ureka Committee funding $500 Aims to bring happiness to all, in the form of stylish and affordable fashion accessories.  Instagram
  • Selfcare with Vi, owner Victoria Pastor ’24 Judge funding $1500 Produces a natural eyelash serum and self-care boxes.
  • Worcester Free Fridge, founder Lucy Barrett ’21 Judge funding $1000 Community fridges providing channels for fresh, healthy food to our marginalized citizens.
  • Charied Away, owner Charisma Nguyen-Lai ’22 Judge funding $1000 Artwork and design produced in the form of stickers and greeting cards.
  • The Empower Yoga Project, owner Melanie Adams ’22 Judge funding $800 Inclusive and trauma-conscious movement for healing, embodiment, and resilience.
  • Economically Girly,  owner Da’Vyana Williams ’24 Judge funding $500 Providing gorgeous press-on nails no matter the occasion or budget.
  • Dough Is Me, owner Madeline Steigman ’24 Ureka Committee funding $500, 3rd place crowdfunding $500, rename funding $500 Homemade high-quality baked goods to homesick college students at an affordable price.
  • What We Leave: A Caretakers Guide to an Ill Planet, author Jens Peterson ’24 1st place crowdfunding $1500 Environmental issues, their causes, and solutions to be effective caretakers of this planet.
  • Tsara & Soa, owners Tsanta Rakotoarisoa ’21 and Wuzhenjun Xue ’21 2nd place crowdfunding $1000 Provides vanilla from Madagascar that supports sustainable development and climate resilience.
  • GoRamen, owner Justin Zay ’24 Providing affordable after-hours food options for Clark students.
  • Generation ZE, founder Jacqueline Ricketts-Hagan ’21 A Generational information website
  • Solace Handicrafts, owners Maseeng Masitha ’21 and Maria Masood ’21 Imported handicrafts from around the world.

Ureka Challenge 2021 Judging Panel

Debra Harrsch ’80
Adi Tibrewal  MBA ’05
Vicky Marino ’08
Trevor Tarnowski ’20
Ulysses Youngblood (Adjunct Faculty)
Keith Miller ’88
Nathayla Castro ’18, MBA ’19

Winners of Ureka lined upUreka Challenge 2020 Participants

Santander Bank partnered with Ureka Challenge 2020 to provide additional funding for Clark’s first-generation entrepreneurs, as well as, all Ureka participants. This was a one-time initiative from Santander Bank as outreach to supporting young first-generation entrepreneurs.

  • Taalo Co.: Founder Suijhan Ghimire ’23 – is a socially and environmentally aware company established to employ Kamlari (bonded slaves) in rural Nepal, and using scrap textiles to produce accessories. Taalo was awarded $4000 in additional funding.
  • Shunu Co.: Founder Trevor Tarnowski ’20 and Hector Miron ’19 is a drop-off shoe-cleaning service. Shunu was awarded $3000 in additional funding.
  • Back Alley Clothing: Founder Alli Jutras ’20 is an artistically curated vintage, thrifted, and upcycled clothing business. Back Alley Clothing was awarded $2500 in additional funding.
  • Crafted Pulled and Poured: Founder Allison Green ’23 is a handcrafted metalsmithing company providing unique, high-quality jewelry pieces. Crafted Pulled and Poured was awarded $2500 in additional funding.
  • Megan’s Mehendi: Founder Megan Balani ’23 provides custom Mehendi. Megan’s Medendi was awarded $2500 in additional funding.

Additional Funding Winners:

  • Philip Tran Photography: Founder Philip Tran ’23
  • A PLUS Tea: Founder Tommy Li ’21, Michael Lu ’21, Wentao Li ’21
  • Margaretes: Founder Margarita Perez ’22
  • Bralettes by Melanie: Founder Melanie Adams ’22
  • The Eunz Experience: Founder Eunice Dolette ’21
  • Prof Presence: Founder Owen Mortner ’20
  • Unity within the Community: Founder Fido Hernandez ’23
  • Work Flow Coffee: Founder Logan Rosell ’23
  • Sapience News: Founder Mitchell Mondro ’20

Ureka Challenge 2020 Judging Panel

Adi Tibrewal ’05 MBA
Ulysses Youngblood Adjunct Faculty
Chris Solea Juliani ’93
Crysta Spitzfadden ’19

students posing for picutreUreka Challenge 2019 Participants

  • DZ Marketing: Founder Valerie Diaz ’19 focuses on digital content, graphic design, and social media management. Diaz also is CEO and co-founder of Shirt Shack + Co., an apparel company that spreads good vibes and positivity.
  • Solar for Superheroes: Krissy Truesdale ’19 created her business to identify effective and affordable solar adoption strategies for a wide demographic, including homeowners or renters.
  • Composers Connect: Thomas Mueller ’22 connects film directors with composers who can create original music that syncs perfectly with their film.
  • Kava Kraze: Crysta Spitzfaden ’19 and Co. want to bring the Clark community together through events featuring Kava tea drinks, made from the roots of the Kava shrub of the Pacific Islands. Categorized by the FDA as a supplement, Kava has an effect similar to CBD, relaxing the muscles while causing the drinker to become more talkative and social — without alcohol.
  • TechSmart: Sameen Azad ’20 and Co. created a venture to provide technological solutions for mobile devices and laptops.

Kava Kraze also won the People’s Choice award, and Margaretes, a jewelry company founded by Margarita Perez-Maza ’22, was presented with the Ureka Committee Choice award.

Ureka Challenge 2019 Judging Panel

Daysha Williams ’16
Victoria Mariana ’08
Amanda Barker, ES&P/M.A. ’11
Rick Treitman ’73

Andres Gvirtz ’18, Compact Copters: Compact Copters produces autonomous drones whose primary purpose is to value solar fields. Their long-term goal is to approach major solar and pipeline produces to showcase how their drone can do the same inspections they need at a fraction of the cost.

  • Anika Kreckel ’17 and Max Kreckel, Wholly Cow!: A business that increases the availability of local, responsibly raised beef for restaurants in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Wholly Cow! sources locally raised beef from farmers and sells select cuts or a whole cow to chefs. This concept takes advantage of the rising support for farm-to-table dining.
  • Daysha Williams ’16, AsanaRa: Founded in 2015, AsanaRa is a Sole Proprietorship that provides goods and services to encourage alignment of the mind, body, and soul, primarily for the black community. The business sells shea butter-based holistic care products.
  • Mitchell Mondro ’18 and Lewis Mariano, UMass Lowell, Gains to Go: Gains to Go, a healthy food truck concept that caters to people looking for nutritious, portable food choices after working out.