Shark Tank Classroom Simulation | Entrepreneurship & Economics Project for Middle & High School Students
Shark Tank Classroom Simulation | Entrepreneurship & Economics Project for Middle & High School Students
Bring the excitement of Shark Tank into your classroom with this complete entrepreneurship activity! Students create their own businesses, develop marketing strategies, and pitch to a panel of “sharks.” Perfect for Business, Economics, Marketing, or Career classes.
Turn your classroom into a high-stakes entrepreneurial arena with this Shark Tank Business Simulation Project! Designed for middle and high school students, this interactive resource gives your students the opportunity to think like entrepreneurs, work collaboratively, and present like professionals — all while practicing real-world business and marketing skills.
Whether you teach Business Education, Economics, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Personal Finance, or Career Prep, this ready-to-use project will engage your students through critical thinking, creativity, and persuasive communication.
🔑 Why This Resource Stands Out:
✅ Complete Shark Tank classroom activity with editable templates and teacher directions
✅ Students create original business plans, marketing strategies, and startup budgets
✅ Fake money investment rounds from teachers and staff simulate real-world economics
✅ Final Shark Tank-style presentations include Q&A and dramatic funding decisions
✅ Includes Google Slides templates, printable rubrics, investor forms, and more
✅ Ideal for project-based learning, CTE programs, and 21st-century skill building
✅ No prep required – just print, assign, and launch the tank!
⭐️ Save 25% on this resource & others with my Economics Resources Bundle!
⭐️ Download a sample preview to learn more!
⭐️ Also available on Teachers Pay Teachers
⭐️ Read more on my Shark Tank Blog Post
What's Included:
✅ Detailed Teacher Directions from Start to Finish
✅ Easy to Understand Student Directions for the Entire Simulation
✅ Student Templates for Business Planning, Budget, marketing, etc.
✅ Rubrics & Evaluation Sheets for Teachers and Sharks
✅ All Necessary Guidelines for Presentation
✅ Email Templates to send to the teacher investors (no prep for you)
✅ List of Questions to Help the Sharks Drill the Teams
✅ Announcing Scripts to make the Shark Tank Day Dramatic & Fun
✅ So Much More..... Download the preview to see it all!
📋 Project Process Overview:
⏱️ Step 1: Students form teams and create their own company using a structured planning guide.
⏱️ Step 2: Teams design a simplified promotional pitch to attract early-stage "teacher investors."
⏱️ Step 3: Teachers receive $1 million in fake money to invest in teams via an included Google Form, in $100,000 increments. They get prizes for how much they invest in the winning team!
⏱️ Step 4: Teams use their investment earnings to finalize business plans, with newly received financials.
⏱️ Step 5: Students create a professional final pitch presentation using digital tools like Canva or Google Slides.
⏱️ Step 6: Teams present live in a Shark Tank-style event in front of 4 teacher or staff “sharks.”
⏱️ Step 7: Sharks ask follow-up questions and evaluate pitches using provided rubrics and notes. (List of potential questions are included)
⏱️ Step 8: Each shark receives $2 million to invest in $100,000 chunks across any team they choose.
⏱️ Step 9: Total investments are tallied from both teacher investors and sharks to determine the winning company.
⏱️ Step 10: Winning teams and sharks are celebrated, and fun prizes or classroom rewards are distributed to winning investors. Real life investments turn into real rewards! Both teachers and students win!
📚 Learning Objectives:
Develop an original business idea and target audience
Create a marketing plan including logo, slogan, and strategy
Construct a budget and product pricing
Deliver a persuasive business pitch to a panel of “sharks”
Apply critical thinking, teamwork, and public speaking skills
⭐ Why Teachers Love It:
Perfect for end-of-unit projects, career days, or entrepreneurship weeks
Engages students with real-world skills and creativity
Easy to implement with step-by-step instructions
Works for in-person, hybrid, or distance learning
Aligned with 21st Century Skills and CTE standards
❤️ Perfect For:
Business & Marketing Classes
Economics Units
CTE & Career Readiness Courses
Project-Based Learning
Gifted & Talented Enrichment
Entrepreneurship Clubs or DECA Preparation
🚀 Boost Engagement, Build Future Skills
Bring real-world business and entrepreneurship into your classroom with this engaging Shark Tank Simulation Project, designed for middle school and high school students. Perfect for Economics, Business, Marketing, or Career Readiness classes, this ready-to-use project immerses students in the role of entrepreneurs as they create companies, pitch their ideas, and seek investments from real-life “shark” judges.
Created by a classroom educator and trusted resource developer, this project promotes collaboration, creativity, financial literacy, and critical thinking—all while making learning fun and meaningful. Whether you're planning a capstone project, a PBL unit, or an entrepreneurship day, this simulation is your one-stop classroom event kit.
This resource gives your students the tools to become future-ready innovators while keeping your classroom lively and purposeful. Join thousands of other educators using Shark Tank simulations to transform traditional economics and entrepreneurship lessons into something unforgettable.
Get ready to make your classroom the most exciting business pitch room in education. 🦈
🙏 Thank You!
Thanks so much for stopping by. It's great to meet you! I hope this resource adds value to your classroom. If you have time, I'd love for you to leave a rating on this product with your awesome feedback, and make sure to follow Mister Harms for important updates and savings. I would also love to see how you've incorporated this product into your classroom. Feel free to post a photo of this resource in action and tag @misterharms so I can meet you! I hope you have a wonderful day!
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