A national television premise became a local reality for UF students hoping to pursue an entrepreneurial idea on Monday.
Student Government Agency Gator Innovators held its first ever “Gator Tank” competition, inspired by the TV show “Shark Tank,” in the Reitz Union Grand Ballroom.
Seventy students attended the event and 12 teams participated in the first round, where their business ideas were judged by three entrepreneurs.
The top three teams received $2,000, funded by donors such as UF College of Design, Construction and Planning, and mentorship from the judges, said Ali Gardezi, the agency head.
The prize winners will compete in the final round on April 12 for the grand prize, said Gardezi, a 22-year-old UF computer science senior.
One of the winning business ideas was a monthly subscription box supplied with college student necessities, called Unbox.ed, said Ana Primo, one of the inventors and a 20-year-old UF international studies and political science sophomore.
Some things that come in the box are cleaning supplies, office stationery and a sheet of general college tips, she said. The idea came from her and her partner’s experience of not knowing what things they needed for college.
Branden Pearson, the Gator Innovators chief of staff and a 20-year-old UF management sophomore, said he has high hopes for fostering student entrepreneurship.
“If the program continues to grow, it could be a place where students are developing the next Facebook or the next Snapchat,” Pearson said.
Health science senior Daniel Valladares, 22, answers questions about his business idea for a parking service app called “QU Parking.”
