What is JWU Sharkfest? 3 Things to Know About This Competition

Updated February 2026

Just like the famous show “Shark Tank,” JWU Sharkfest allows students to pitch their business ideas to the JWU community. However, unlike “Shark Tank,” this annual student competition awards grants for winners to invest in their business idea.

This annual competition, which is held at both the Providence and Charlotte campuses respectively, represents JWU’s deep roots in business education and opportunity — after all, we were originally founded as a business school in 1914. In addition to JWU Sharkfest, we also foster entrepreneurial innovation with competitions like Future Food All-Stars, an annual food entrepreneurship pitch competition.

Last year's JWU Sharkfest winners pitched a variety of ideas: a summer camp for children with physical and emotional disabilities, a modular wheelchair that can grow with the user, an app that can turn guitar strums into written musical notes in real time and an AI tool to help build your garden and learn about nutrition and food insecurity.

If you’re thinking of competing in the next JWU Sharkfest, or you’re a prospective student who has stumbled on this article while doing some research on JWU (you should totally apply!), here are three things you should know about JWU Sharkfest.

1. Students in any major can participate.

You don’t have to be in a business program to compete — past winners have included Design, Culinary Science & Product Development, Finance and other majors.

Plus, there are a wide variety of categories for the products, services or concepts that students can pitch, including:

• Culinary Arts
• General Innovation
• General Business
• Health & Wellness
• Hospitality
• Technology

2. The competitors pitch their ideas to the JWU community.

In a new format for 2026, competitors will pitch their ideas to the JWU community in a trade show-style event. Each participant will have a booth that community members can visit to hear their pitch. Online students will also compete by making their pitch virtually via Zoom.

After hearing all the pitches, community members will scan a QR code and vote for their favorites. The top five students from each campus will receive a $500 grant to invest in their business and an invitation to a networking conference for start ups.

3. Even though it’s a competition, every JWU Sharkfest participant still walks away with something valuable.

No matter who wins, every participant receives coaching, mentoring, pitch training and assistance with business plans from experienced faculty members at each campus. Providence students can also utilize the Larry Friedman Center for Entrepreneurship (aka "The Launch Pad").

Having the chance to fine-tune your idea and successfully pitch it to people makes everyone a winner at JWU Sharkfest. 

We’re producing the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs. Want to join us?