Opportunity brief
Shark Tank Event is a three-round business competition that tests participants across the entire lifecycle of a startup. Teams take on the roles of ambitious founders and venture capitalists, where they will build investor-ready pitch decks, respond to unexpected market crises, and manage a fictional investment fund across a curated set of startup profiles. The competition evaluates innovation, business feasibility, market understanding, financial reasoning, crisis management, and strategic decision-making under pressure.
Format:
ROUND 1 (Build the Vision – Startup Pitch Deck)(Online):
Teams will develop an investor-ready pitch deck for a startup idea of their choice or based on a given problem. The deck should cover the problem statement, target audience, solution, business model, market opportunity, competitive advantage, revenue model, go-to-market strategy, and future vision. Submissions must strictly follow a 9-slide format 1 intro/title slide, 7 content slides, and 1 closing slide with only the 7 content slides evaluated. Top 30 teams will qualify for Round 2.
Deadline: 8th September 2026
ROUND 2 (Investor's Chair – Investment & Portfolio Decision-Making)(Offline):
Shortlisted teams switch roles from founders to investors. Each team will receive 2–3 fictional startup portfolios containing details such as revenue and financial performance, market size and growth, valuation, customer traction, industry trends, competitive landscape, risk indicators, and founder credibility. Teams must allocate their fictional investment fund across these portfolios, balancing growth potential, risk, market opportunity, financial performance, founder credibility, diversification, and long-term scalability, and must be prepared to justify their choices before the judges. Top 12 teams will advance to the final round.
Offline Event date: 13 september 2026
ROUND 3 (Market Crisis – Crisis Adaptation & Final Pitch)(Offline):
The final 12 teams resume the role of startup founders and face an unexpected market crisis, revealed via a confidential Market Crisis Card shortly before their pitch. Scenarios may include regulatory changes, new competitors, supply chain disruption, investor withdrawal, customer backlash, technology failure, market recession, or viral PR controversy. Without redesigning their startup, teams must adapt their existing strategy while keeping the core business intact, then present their revised approach in a 3-minute final pitch.
Offline Event date: 13 september 2026
Special Requirements & Rules:
- Team Composition: Strictly 2–3 members per team.
- Time Limits: All presentation and pitch timings must be strictly followed.
- Internet Access: Internet usage is restricted unless explicitly permitted by the organizers.
- Fair Play: Any form of plagiarism, fabrication of data, or unfair means will result in immediate disqualification.
- On-Campus Gear: Teams should carry laptops for presentations, notepads, and pens.
- Deck Format: Round 1 submissions must strictly follow the 7-content-slide format, excluding intro and closing slides.
- Judging: The decisions of the judging panel will be final.
Judging criteria:
- Innovation & Creativity – 20 Marks
- Business Viability – 20 Marks
- Market Understanding – 15 Marks
- Financial Reasoning – 15 Marks
- Adaptability & Strategic Thinking – 15 Marks
- Presentation & Communication – 15 Marks
- Total – 100 Marks