Get Ready for Our Most Impactful Season Yet🚀

Shakmaker’s 11th Year!

2025-2026 Season Highlights:

The Sharkmaker Journey
Over five months, teams (3-5 members) will create, refine, and launch a product. Students will attend industry events, collaborate with mentors, and compete for $15,000 in prizes. The first-place team wins $10,000 plus a 30-minute pitch session with Kevin Harrington, an original shark from the TV series Shark Tank!

2024-2025 Program Highlights

• Accelerated 5-Month Cohort - Experience our dynamic hybrid program, with six interactive in person workshops combined with virtual components to maximize your entrepreneurial journey.  Kick-off is December 13th! 
• Innovative Program Theme: "Accesibility" - This season, each team will develop a technology-driven product or business that has at least one component that enhances accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
• Who Should Apply? We're looking for motivated and coachable HS students eager to transform ideas into reality and dive into the world of entrepreneurship. 
• Real-World Fundraising Experience With a program valued at over $10,000, participants will work with mentors to fundraise a $750 participation fee, developing critical skills in the process. A $100 registration deposit is required for each participant but fully refundable upon meeting your goal!
  • Mini Shark Pitches for Funding - At each workshop, teams will have the opportunity to pitch to a panel of “mini sharks,” earning additional funds to earn towards their fundraising goal.
• Locations:
  • Kick-Off: One Urban Centre, 4830 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33609
  • Workshops: Various businesses across Pinellas and Tampa, giving you a closer look at our business community!

 

Parent/Guardian Signature and Acknowledgement for the SharkMakers Program:

The undersigned known as the Parent/Guardian of the participant who is an applicant in the SharkMakers program.

Consent, Waiver of Liability & Media Release:

I hereby certify that I am 18 years or older and the parent/legal guardian of the above named participant and do hereby give my consent without reservation to the foregoing on behalf of My Child. By signing and submitting this for   I, the Parent or Guardian of the above student, agree to release Connect-IT 360 (“CI360”), and their agents the absolute right and permission of the following:

SHARKMAKERS PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
Connect-IT 360, Inc. (501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization)

This Agreement (“Agreement”) outlines the terms, responsibilities, and conditions for participation in the SharkMakers program operated by Connect-IT 360, Inc. (“Connect-IT 360,” “we,” or “us”). “You,” “your,” or “Participant” refers to the student and their Parent/Guardian.

1. CONNECT-IT 360 OVERVIEW
Connect-IT 360 is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to bridging the skill gap between education and industry. Through our award-winning flagship program, Next Gen Tech 360, we prepare youth to succeed in the new economy by teaching technical, entrepreneurial, and professional skills.

2. SHARKMAKERS PROGRAM
SharkMakers—formerly Next Gen Tech 360—is our expanded and evolved program now celebrating its 11th season. Through guidance from industry professionals, students gain hands-on experience, best-demonstrated practices, and real-world insights into innovation, business, and technology.

3. SHARKMAKERS BUSINESS VOLUNTEERS
Our mentors, speakers, and judges represent diverse business sectors and job domains across the Tampa Bay region. These volunteers provide students with a broad, practical understanding of technology, entrepreneurship, communication, leadership, and professional behavior.

4. STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT (ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY)
Connect-IT 360 is committed to fostering a safe, respectful, inclusive, and professional environment. Because communication is the most important skill we teach, students must demonstrate professionalism, respect, and maturity at all times.

All participants, parents, mentors, and volunteers must:
Communicate with professionalism, clarity, and respect.
Use appropriate tone, language, and approach in all program-related interactions.
Behave in ways that uphold the dignity, value, and safety of others.
Follow all event rules, safety protocols, and staff instructions.
Refrain from any form of bullying, harassment, threats, intimidation, discrimination, or inappropriate behavior—online or in person.
Report any unsafe, harmful, or concerning conduct immediately to program leadership.
Zero Tolerance Policy
Violation of the Code of Conduct may result in:

Immediate removal from a single event or from the program entirely,
Revocation of program participation privileges,
Requirement to return all awards, prizes, stipends, or scholarship earnings (if applicable).
There are absolutely no refunds under any circumstances.

5. PROGRAM COMMITMENT
Participation in SharkMakers requires consistent engagement, teamwork, timely communication, and respect for deadlines. Students must work collaboratively, attend scheduled sessions, and uphold all expectations set forth by Connect-IT 360.

6. WINNING TEAM – AMBASSADOR & POST-SEASON REQUIREMENTS
Students selected as the Winning Team agree to serve as official SharkMakers Student Ambassadors.

Ambassador Commitment Includes:
Required participation in promotional, community, school, and partner events.
Attendance at pitch sessions, showcases, interviews, and media engagements (e.g., Kevin Harrington sessions, PoweredUp, conference panels, etc.).
Representing Connect-IT 360 and SharkMakers with professionalism and maturity.
Total commitment to the SharkMaker brand and program
Length of Commitment:
Regular Season: December – Apr
Winning Team Ambassador Term: May – August 31
Acceptance of awards requires full ambassador participation. Failure to meet ambassador responsibilities may result in forfeiture of awards, recognition, or prizes.

7. FUNDRAISING REQUIREMENT
Participation in SharkMakers requires a $750 program fundraising commitment.

This amount must be raised or contributed as part of the program curriculum.
It is required regardless of team outcome or placement.
It must be completed to be considered for finalist selection and eligibility for the $15,000 in awards.
All payments or fundraising contributions are non-refundable.

8. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY & COMMERCIALIZATION
All work created during participation—including concepts, prototypes, products, pitches, documentation, or digital materials—is the exclusive property of Connect-IT 360 dba SharkMakers.

If Connect-IT 360 dba SharkMakers chooses to commercialize a team’s project:

Commercialization Terms
The originating team will collectively receive a fixed 5% equity stake, divided equally among participating team members.
This 5% allocation is non-negotiable.
No profit share, royalties, or equity will be granted unless Connect-IT 360 formally executes a written commercialization agreement.
All intellectual property, brands, trademarks, and materials remain owned by Connect-IT 360 unless transferred in writing.

9. LIABILITY WAIVER
The undersigned acknowledges and accepts all risks associated with participation in the SharkMakers program, including events, workshops, and activities. The undersigned agrees to:

Release, waive, and discharge Connect-IT 360 dba SharkMakers and its officers, directors, volunteers, employees, and partners from any liability, claims, damages, or losses.
Indemnify Connect-IT 360 dba SharkMakers for any resulting claims or expenses arising from participation.

10. MEDIA RELEASE
The undersigned grants Connect-IT 360 full permission to capture, use, edit, publish, and reuse photographs, videos, interviews, and media featuring the Participant for educational, promotional, public service, and nonprofit purposes.

This includes all print, digital, broadcast, and online media produced by Connect-IT 360 or its partners.

This consent is provided pursuant to Sections 540.08 and 1002.22, Florida Statutes, and remains effective unless revoked in writing.

11. NO REFUNDS
All program fees, fundraising contributions, and payments are non-refundable, regardless of withdrawal, removal, schedule changes, or disciplinary action.

12. AGREEMENT & SIGNATURE
By signing below, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to the full terms of this Participation Agreement, Media Release and that both student and Parent/Guardian will comply with all expectations, policies, and requirements.

Student Signature and Acknowledgement for the SharkMakers Program:

As the student participant (the applicant) agree to follow the code of conduct and commit to the compliance of the SharkMakers program policies to participate and finish as a finalist.