Imagine being a student with an idea that could change the world. An invention that could reduce waste, conserve water, or make sustainable living easier. Now imagine pitching that idea to a panel of expert judges in a high-stakes competition to win significant cash prizes.
That’s exactly what happened at the first-ever Student Innovation Shark Tank, a virtual event where young entrepreneurs from Green Our Planet’s school garden programs pitched their eco-friendly business ideas. These students weren’t just presenting theories. They had researched, designed, and developed real products aimed at making their communities more sustainable.
This marks the beginning of what will be an annual competition, giving students a platform to showcase their creativity and problem-solving skills while connecting innovation with real-world impact.
A Competition with Purpose
The Student Innovation Shark Tank was created to encourage more schools to participate in farmers markets while providing students with an opportunity to develop and pitch their own business ideas. As the event unfolded, it became clear that this was about much more than selling products. It was about problem-solving, resourcefulness, and using entrepreneurship to tackle real environmental challenges.
Green Our Planet’s CEO, Ciara Byrne, reflected on the event, saying:
"It was really uplifting, inspiring, and exciting to see students coming up with these innovative ideas around upcycling, self-watering plant pots that save water, and using waste paper to create notebooks, bookmarks, and seed packets."
The virtual setting didn’t dampen the energy or excitement. Students logged in from their classrooms and homes, delivering well-researched, passionate presentations to a panel of judges eager to hear their ideas.
The Winning Innovations
Five teams took center stage, each pitching a business designed to make a real difference. Their goal was not only to develop products but also to sell them at farmers markets, proving that sustainability and entrepreneurship go hand in hand.
Grand Prize ($5,000): Upcycle This & That
A team of students from the Jo Mackey Academy Upcycle Design Lab is tackling plastic waste by transforming discarded chip bags and other materials into functional accessories like crossbody bags, bookmarks, and toys.
Second Place ($2,500): EcoFlow
EcoFlow’s self-watering planter is designed for people with busy lives. Made from recyclable materials, it conserves water and helps make plant care easier and more sustainable.
Third Place ($1,500): Roots & Wildflowers
This team created handmade journals and bookmarks from recycled paper, embedding them with wildflower seeds. Once used, the products can be planted, growing into flowers that support pollinators and green spaces.
Innovation Beyond the Winners
While only three teams took home top prizes, every student who participated presented an idea with the potential to create change. Honorable mentions included:
- Clean Green Co: A toxin-free cleaning product line packaged in reusable aluminum bottles to reduce plastic waste.
- Pure Breeze Naturals: Plant-based air fresheners in refillable containers to eliminate chemical pollution.
- Dinosaur Planter: A wind-up toy dinosaur that plants seeds as it moves, making gardening more engaging for children.
- The Plant Maker: A device that simplifies planting by distributing soil, seeds, and water, making it easier to grow food and flowers.
Looking Ahead
The most exciting part of the first Student Innovation Shark Tank wasn’t just the ideas. It was the passion behind them. These students aren’t waiting for the future to happen. They are building it now, designing solutions that could change how we think about sustainability, one small innovation at a time.
With funding secured, these young entrepreneurs will now take the next steps in refining their products and bringing them to their communities. Many will have the opportunity to test their ideas at farmers markets, learning firsthand what it takes to turn an idea into a viable business.
And this is just the beginning. As the first of what we hope will be an annual event, the Student Innovation Shark Tank will continue to give students a space to develop their ideas, gain real-world experience, and create a more sustainable future.
The competition may be over, but the impact is just beginning...
