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NEWSLETTER - SEPTEMBER 2026
By investing in SharkMakers, you
are giving students real-world
business experience, igniting their
creativity, and empowering them to
turn bold ideas into action.
Together, we are shaping the
changemakers of tomorrow.
Become a part of SharkMakers!
@sharkmakersnextgen
For event updates, student founder spotlights, and
workshop reminders follow SharkMakers NextGen on IG
SharkMakers NextGen Collegiate Program Schedule:
September 23 – Application Deadline
October 2 – Kickoff @ USF
October 8 – Workshop 1 @ USF
October 16 – Workshop 2 @ USF
October 21 – Workshop 3 @ JP Morgan
October 30 – @ USF
November 20 – @ USF
December 8 – Final Pitches & Awards Ceremony @ Accenture
EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION
EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION
EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION
YOUR IDEA STARTS HERE
SharkMakers Goes Collegiate - Registration Is OPEN!
🦈
We’re making a bold move and taking SharkMakers
Next Gen to the college level!
This fall, SharkMakers Next Gen launches its inaugural
collegiate cohort in partnership with the USF Nault
Center for Entrepreneurship. College students
across the Tampa Bay region are invited to turn an
innovative product idea into a real-world venture
through hands-on workshops, industry mentorship
and an exciting final pitch competition.
Participants will validate a problem, understand their
customers, develop and refine a product, build a
business model, create a go-to-market strategy and
learn to pitch with confidence. No prior entrepreneurial
experience is required just an idea, curiosity and the
commitment to build.
This is more than a competition. It’s where bold
thinkers become creators, ideas become possibilities
and students learn what it means to be the CEO of
their lives.
SharkMakers is Growing!
Michael Hall - Ecosystem Builder &
Entrepreneur; Senior Managing Partner at
MediumFour and Co-Founder of HyLo
Innovation. 20+ years across marketing,
technology, data, and innovation.
Emily Adams - Operations & Innovation
Leader; COO and Managing Partner at Gulf
Works Lab. 15 years across manufacturing,
technology, leadership development, and
operations.
Welcoming a New Partner
We are Excited to welcome out new board members!
Continuing Partners
Thank you to our sponsors for believing in what’s
possible. Your support gives SharkMakers students the
tools, guidance, and real-world experience to turn bold
ideas into action.
Thank you to the Dobkin Intuitive Foundation for
contributing to the awards for our SharkMakers
competition. Your generous support helps us recognize and
celebrate students’ bold ideas.
We are equally proud to continue our partnership with
Adobe and The Florida High Tech Corridor. Their ongoing
commitment provides our students with world-class tools,
industry access, and invaluable innovation opportunities
across the region.
BUILD WHAT’S NEXT
Applications are open.
Deadline to Apply
September 23 .
Register your team and
join us at kick off on Oct
2nd!
rdNEWSLETTER - SEPTEMBER 2026 HS Student Info Mentor Registration DEC 12 APR 13 To prospective participants and mentors: What are you waiting for? EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION SEPTEMBER HOLIDAY SPOTLIGHTS SEPTEMBER HOLIDAY SPOTLIGHTS Tapfuma Mayida- 2025-26 1 place SharkMakers winner with Pathable. 3 Place SSEF winner. Junior at Palm Harbor High IB. Interested in Medicine/Biotechnology st rd Yashika Garg - 2025-26 2 place SharkMakers winner with Rhova. SSEF 2 Place Winner. Junior at Middleton High. Interested in Biotechnology/ Engineering. nd nd Jiya Patel- 2025-26 1 place SharkMakers winner. Head Notebook of FTC Worlds Robotics Team. Junior at Palm Harbor University IB. Interested in Medicine. st Ritchel Mesidor- 2025-26 1 place SharkMakers winner with Pathable. Head Programmer of FTC Worlds Robotics Team. Junior at Palm Harbor University IB Interested in Computer Science. st Sarayu Karedla - 2025-26 2 place SharkMakers winner. SSEF 2 Place Winner. Junior at Middleton High. Interested in Biotechnology nd nd Sampurna - 2025-26 2nd-place SharkMakers winner. Proficient in Java Coding. Junior at Strawberry Crest. Interested in Architectural Engineering Aarush Shah- 2025-26 1 place SharkMakers winner. Future Business Leaders of America Nationals Qualifier. Junior at Eastlake High School. Interested in Engineering. st MEET THE INTERNS What’s Ahead, the Next Wave A New High School Season Is on the Horizon! 🦈 For more than a decade, the SharkMakers High School Program has brought students together to challenge themselves, collaborate with industry mentors and discover what they are capable of achieving. This season, we are looking for students who are ready to step outside their comfort zones, work as part of a team and follow through on the commitment they make to themselves and one another. They do not need to arrive with all the skills. They simply need to be: Motivated. Coachable. Committed. Students and families can get an early look at the season through our fall information sessions and community events, including a Financial Literacy Community Event hosted by JPMorgan Chase. Sign up to receive pre-season event invitations, application information and important program A 5 month after school program, kicking off in December 12, with Final Pitches and Awards taking place in April. SharkMakers gives high school students the opportunity to work in teams, learn directly from industry mentors, and transform an innovative idea into a real product. They build confidence, leadership, and real-world problem-solving skills. IDEATION Learn how to problem solve starting at zero. TEAMWORK Collaborate with a team and mentors to execute. CREATE MVP Build an MVP, business plan, and cost model. PITCHING Learn tactical storytelling and pitch your way to the top. Top teams earn cash prizes to launch their idea! COMPETITION INNOVATION Turn your idea into innovation and make it real. The Student Journey
