First years devise side hustles to pitch at ‘Shark Tank’ competition

At the University of Maine, first-year students don’t just learn the concepts of running a business; they make a plan for one. 

As part of the “Intro to Business” course, teams of students spend the semester developing plans for side hustles, ranging from cleaning services to custom t-shirt and fitness coaching services. 

In an auditorium filled with hundreds of their peers, several groups will pitch their projects to a panel of business leaders in the hope of winning a scholarship during the annual “Shark Tank” competition” on Friday, Dec. 12.    

Side hustles range from cleaning and organizing services to custom printed t-shirts and workout plans. The six groups of “Shark Tank” competitors are finalists from earlier rounds chosen from 22 groups that, combined, consist of more than 300 first-years. 

“Being selected as a finalist for ‘Shark Tank’ means a lot,” said Joe Donnelly, a finance and management student from Windham, Maine. “I am grateful to have a team that works hard, and works together. I am excited for the final pitch and seeing how other side hustles did this semester.” 

Building on the success of last year’s competition, finalists will again compete for scholarship awards: $1,000 for first place, $750 for second, and $500 for third. New this year, Maine Business School Executive Dean Jason Harkins will also award a $1,000 Fournier Entrepreneurship Prize to the student or group whose idea demonstrates the most originality and forward-thinking potential.

The judges for this year’s competition include:

• Gavin Robinson, senior vice president, community relations manager and public finance officer at Bangor Savings Bank.
  
• Brian Harris, UMaine alum and co-founder of MedRhythms Inc.
  
• Julene Gervais, key account specialist at Johnson & Johnson.

“Presenting for a panel of industry leaders this early in your college career builds communication and entrepreneurial confidence,” Harkins said. “These are exactly the skills employers prize.” 

The “Intro to Business” course is one of many Research Learning Experiences (RLEs) offered at UMaine and across the University of Maine System (UMS).These courses allow students to meaningfully engage in hands-on research early in their university education, fostering deeper connections on campus and pathways to Maine careers. 

They are part of the Systemwide Student Success and Retention initiative made possible by a $320 million dollar investment by the Harold Alfond Foundation in Maine’s public universities, known as UMS TRANSFORMS. 

Contact: Melanie Brooks, melanie.brooks@maine.edu