YSU 2025 Penguin Shark Tank competition applications now open

Applications for the Youngstown State University 2025 Penguin Shark Tank Competition are now open. The event will offer students the chance to compete for business investments from a pool of $10,000, with top prizes awarded in two categories. All current YSU students are eligible to apply.

To participate, students must submit their applications, including a brief video, by March 1. Finalists will be selected to present a five minute pitch at the final competition, on Thursday, March 20 at 5:30 p.m. in the Williamson College of Business Administration.

Applicants may choose to pitch in one of two categories:

• Business Idea: A concept or design under development.
• Established Business: A product or service that is already being sold or is ready to be sold.

The Small Business Development Center at YSU will present a virtual workshop, “Business Basics on Starting and Growing a Business,” 10 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 11. Details about the workshop, resource materials and application information can be found at ysu.edu/entrepreneur-ecosystem.

The Penguin Shark Tank event will feature a keynote address by Stacy Howlett, CEO of Howlett Logistics, before final pitches to the judges. The esteemed panel of judges, also known as the "sharks," includes Linda Barton, Sweet Memories Vintage Tees; Patrick Burgan, Burgan Real Estate; Stacy Howlett, Howlett Logistics; Mark Lamoncha, Humtown Products; and DeShawn Scott, The D5 Group.

Penguin Shark Tank is funded in part by a grant from the Burton D. Morgan Foundation. Additional prize money includes the John D. Burgan Entrepreneurship Prize.

For more information, contact Cynthia Manofsky, business administrator, Workforce Education and Innovation for the Excellence Training Center, 330.941.2358 or ccmanofsky@ysu.edu.