Join Mark Cuban and company as you present your own product pitch in front of a mock “Shark Tank” of investors. People love this pitch format and it gives team members to work together and be entrepreneurial. You also get to play ‘investor’ and pick the best pitch.
Number of participants: Up to 24 people, split into teams of 2-6 participants
Duration: 90 minutes
Objective: Promote unconventional thinking, collaboration, entrepreneurship and teamwork
How to play
1. This team building activity is based off the eponymous TV show. The objective is the same: teams pitch mock products in front of a group of “Sharks” (usually senior team members) to secure investments.
2. Divide participants into teams of 2-6 people. Ask them to come up with an imaginary product and develop a pitch for it. This pitch must be professional and include:
- Brand name
- Brand slogan
- Business plan
- Marketing plan
- Financial data (predicted sales, market size, profit margins, etc.)
If people have difficulty figuring out the pitch requirements, you can play them clips from the Shark Tank show.
3. Choose 3-4 people to be the “Sharks”. Give them imaginary backgrounds (“X is the founder of ABC Clothing and the owner of a major NFL team“). You can also give them an imaginary pool of money to invest in pitched ideas.
4. Ask each team to develop their pitch and present it in front of the Sharks. Encourage the Sharks to ask questions as if they’re evaluating a real business and parting with their own real cash. If a pitch is promising, the Sharks can invest their mock money into the business.
5. The team that wins the most investment at the end wins.
Strategy
Shark Tank is one of the most popular shows on television. Getting your team to participate in your own version of this show can stimulate entrepreneurship and big thinking. Since all players have to work in teams and divide duties to be successful, it will also promote teamwork and collaboration.
