Shark Tank VA

SATURDAY, April 25, 2020 | 4:30pm – 9:30pm Stryker Center, 412 North Boundary St. Williamsburg, VA 23185

Shark Tank Virginia returns to the Stryker Center on Saturday, April 25. We’ll be placing roughly 20 early stage startups in front of a panel of investors who will take no quarter. The event has raised over $650K for participants in its first three events. Find out who will make an appearance this fourth year and see what happens!

  • There is no cost to enter. If approved to pitch, the startup pays a $100 acceptance fee. This includes 2 admission tickets. Must be paid within one week of acceptance.
  • Expo space provides a 6ft x 2ft table for $200 for the day, anyone can apply for expo space. If you are interested in participating in the expo event there will be a selection at the end of your ticket purchase to enroll. Each attendee and guest must purchase a ticket
  • General admission is $15/ticket; $25 at the door.
  • Bar will accept cash and credit cards
This year’s MC will be Reba Hollingsworth, news anchor at WTVR CBS 6, who has recently ventured into entrepreneurship herself. The companies and judges are listed below. Don’t forget to get your tickets!
 
Special thanks to our committed sponsors:
Ferguson Ventures
David A. Nice Builders, Inc.
Yes Williamsburg
James City County
York County, Virginia York County Economic Development
Center for Innovative Technology
King of Clubs Brewing Company
Colonial Ghosts
Drink Williamsburg
Taste of Williamsburg

An exhibit space in the lobby will showcase several additional startups from throughout Virginia. The event will be held at the Stryker Center at 412 North Boundary Street in Williamsburg on Saturday, May 31. The expo and doors open at 12 pm. The main event begins at 1 pm. Live audience seating is first come first serve and nearly sold out last year, so make sure to get your tickets early and arrive early to claim your seats! Each of the main participants will have 8 minutes to present, followed by a 12-minute Q&A session with the judges. You’ll have an opportunity to meet them during intermissions and in the expo area.

Ignition is a 501(c)3 non-profit business accelerator based in Williamsburg, Virginia. Founded by entrepreneurs, we provide support, resources, and direct investment to help entrepreneurs develop an idea and swiftly take it to market. We collaborate with entrepreneurs to build profitable and sustainable businesses. We invest in possibility. Learn more at ignitioncenter.com This event is not endorsed or sponsored by Shark Tank the TV show

Testimonials

I just wanted to say thank you for having KAksuKers the product and myself there Saturday night. What a great time and experience. Talking with people I realized exactly where I believe the product should go moving forward. An epiphany you could say. Thanks again for everything and hopefully I will be seeing you soon.
- Cole B

Wanted to reach out and say thank you for inviting us to participate in the Virginia Shark Tank.  It was an extremely well run event and it was great to meet all of the other entrepreneurs.  Moreover, it was extremely valuable to our company and we are currently engaging with a number of the judges and spectators that we met at the event.  If there is anything we can do to help, in terms of promotion, feedback, testimonials, etc., please don't hesitate to ask.
- Sam B, 1Degree App

"Congratulations on a great event.  Your turn-out was much better in numbers and quality compared to the START events over the last six years."
- Jack G, Investor

"This has been an amazing event unlike anything in Williamsburg before"
- John T

"I wanted to thank you again for hosting such a great event. We received a lot of positive feedback and helpful suggestions for our business.
We look forward to being a part of the Ignition team and might be reaching out soon for some assistance in some way..."
- Steve W, WormWatchers

"Thank you for the amazing experience at Shark Tank. The ability to get so much exposure so early on in this process is so valuable. I received a lot of valuable feedback and made many new contacts. I am very grateful to you and Ignition for making this possible."
- Billy K

Next time a larger venue! I enjoyed it on FB live, but would have loved to have attended.
- Valerie S

“Excellent event, I look forward to the next one”
- Tony S

Why Shark Tank Virginia?

The event is fun and entertaining, but we’re really here to come together as one and celebrate the journey of entrepreneurship. It is not about any city or any geographic region. We don’t see borders or divisions. It’s about something much bigger- the spirit of entrepreneurship, creation, and ingenuity. The desire to create something that will enhance our world beyond our generation. We’re here to celebrate this spirit, and the risks and challenges associated with that journey. We seek to inspire others to create something they are passionate about, to adopt the entrepreneurial mindset, and to let them know that while the journey is intimidating, that there is a strong community that has walked in their shoes, and is here to support them. “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain