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UMD Shark Tank

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Now recruiting for the 2020 student planning committee. Apply by November 11, 2019, through the online application.

2020 Event Details to Come!

This event is open to all UMD Students who have an innovative business idea. Entrepreneurs are able to pitch their idea to a panel of Duluth business professionals with the opportunity to win money to help fund their business idea.

First Place: $3,000 scholarship, Second Place: $2,000 scholarship, Third Place: $1,500 scholarship, Audience's Choice: $500 scholarship

2019 Winners
First Place: Andrew Knoll and Joe Kastner (Knoll Restorations, manufacturer of 3D printed, vintage motorcycle parts) 
Second Place: Katelyn France (SMYLE LLC, manufacturer of individualized QR-coded medical bracelets) 
Third Place: Sam Goetsch and Michael Heile (Mike & Sam Games LLP, makers of giant handcrafted yard games) 
Audience's Choice: Cole DiMeglio (Hot Dish, a food app generates recipes from on-hand ingredients and )

2019 Mentors
Tom Sega (president, Duluth Pack), Rolf Weberg (director, NRRI), Nathan Lipinski (founder, MC-Cubed Think Tank), Monica Radniecki-Hendrickson (owner, Hendrickson and Company, LLC), Tim White (owner and president, Crud Cloth), and Mark Summers (past president, North Shore Federal Credit Union)

2019 Judges
Molly Solberg (president MAS Marketing), Jessica Langer (president, LSBE’s entrepreneurship club and founder, The Furry Dogmother), Alyza Bohbot (owner/CEO, Alakef Coffee Roaster and City Girl Coffee), Manny Rivas (CMO, AimClear), and Susie Gilbertson (recruiter, maurices).

The UMD Shark Tank Competition is powered by the Labovitz School of Business and Economics (LSBE) and the LaBounty Center for Entrepreneurship, established in 2008 as a result of a generous gift provided by Roy E. LaBounty, founder of LaBounty Manufacturing and a long-time supporter of UMD. Administered by the LSBE's dean's office, the new Center promotes entrepreneurship and business development initiatives throughout Northeastern Minnesota.

Roy LaBounty was an entrepreneur and prominent business leader in Northeastern Minnesota for many years. He was the founder and former president of LaBounty Manufacturing in Two Harbors, Minnesota. In 1999 he received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual Joel Labovitz Entrepreneurial Success Awards event. Mr. LaBounty died in November 2007.

The current initiatives include sponsoring a student internship at the Center for Economic Development, sponsoring faculty research in entrepreneurship, and the UMD LaBounty Entrepreneur Competition.