Five teams have made it through to the final round in the Shark Tank CoLab competition at Walla Walla University, which will take place Saturday, April 20, at 7 p.m. in WWU’s Village Hall, 207 S. College Ave., College Place. The top three teams will receive scholarship prizes of $5000 for first place, $3500 for second place, and $1500 for third place.

The competition, which was inspired by the television series Shark Tank, gives WWU students the opportunity to work in teams to create new products and develop innovative solutions to problems. The event provides opportunities for students from diverse academic departments, such as the School of Business, Department of Technology, Department of Computer Science, and School of Engineering, to pool their knowledge and creativity, and to collaborate on projects.

The five remaining teams are developing products ranging from an app that allows people to hire freelance workers for miscellaneous jobs to an in-home care facility designed to meet the needs of the elderly through special food programs, motor skills therapy, communal events, and technologically advanced health care. Other teams are addressing needs related to recycling, drone use, and solar-powered portable lighting.

“There is prize money up to $10,000,” said Patience Taruwinga, dean of the School of Business, “however this is not all about the money. In this fast-paced, globally connected world, it is important to have an entrepreneurial spirit. With it, our students will succeed in life. This event is about encouraging the entrepreneurial spirit in all of our students.”

Posted April 16, 2019