HCC Central College – Upward Bounds Program & HCC Office of Entrepreneurial Initiatives
HCC Upward Bound Shark Tank Challenge 2026
Get ready to bring your big ideas to life! The HCC Upward Bound Shark Tank Challenge is your chance to step into the world of entrepreneurship — no experience required. Over six interactive Saturday workshops, you’ll team up, brainstorm solutions to real-world problems, learn the basics of business and money, and sharpen your skills in public speaking and confidence.
Using the S.H.A.R.K. Method (Strategy, Hustle, Accountability, Resilience, Knowledge), you’ll go from idea to pitch — and present it live in front of judges, just like Shark Tank!
This isn’t just about business — it’s about discovering your creativity, leveling up your confidence, and preparing for college and career success.
Are you ready to take the challenge?
Dates: Saturdays, Sept. 20th, 2025; Oct. 11th, 2025; Dec. 13th, 2025; Jan. 17th, 2026; Feb. 21th, 2026; and March 28th, 2026.
Venue: Houston City College - Central Campus - 1300 Holman St, Houston, TX 77004
The HCC Upward Bound Shark Tank Challenge is a first-of-its-kind experience designed to spark innovation, confidence, and real-world skills in high school students.
Our shared vision is to leverage this challenge as a dynamic tool for college and career readiness, financial literacy, and personal empowerment, directly aligning with the core mission of Upward Bound. This is more than a competition; it is a vehicle for building confidence, fostering critical thinking, and preparing students for the next chapter of their lives.
Workshop Sessions:
Session 1: Kick-Off & Ideation (S - Strategy) -
o Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
o Focus: Introduction to the challenge, brainstorming community problems, and developing initial business concepts.
Session 2: Market Research (H - Hustle)
o Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025
o Focus: Understanding the target audience, conducting simple surveys, and analyzing potential competitors.
Session 3: Business Basics (A - Accountability)
o Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025
o Focus: Introduction to the basic elements of a business plan, including mission, marketing, and pricing.
Session 4: Financial Literacy (A - Accountability)
o Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026
o Focus: Creating a simple budget, understanding startup costs, and defining revenue goals.
Session 5: Pitch Crafting (R - Resilience)
o Date: Saturday, February 21, 2026
o Focus: Storytelling, developing a compelling narrative, and creating simple visual aids for the presentation.
Session 6: Pitch Practice & Polish (K - Knowledge)
o Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026
o Focus: Public speaking practice, receiving constructive feedback from peers and mentors, and refining the final presentation.
Live HCC Shark Tank Competition: April 25, 2026 at HCC Central Campus - Auditorium