Shark Tank has been providing inspiration and confidence for entrepreneurs since 2009. Since that time, Shark Tank has given the opportunity for entrepreneurs to realize their business dreams. It has also given millions of viewers an opportunity to see actual business negotiations in progress. The drama, storylines, successes and rejections that make up the show captivate us. These aspects are part of the reason why Shark Tank is so addictive to many.

While most people might think of this show as something only for older adults or more seasoned-business minds, this is a great show for students to watch. Even slightly interested in the business world. Not only can you learn about interesting products, but you can also learn about pitching, how to approach an investor, and what seems to make a deal go through and be successful. 

Why Shark Tank Is Good For Students to Watch

Shark Tank’s investors are comprised of different entrepreneurs from different backgrounds and experiences. The show also welcomes guest sharks from the world of entertainment, business, and sports. For students, it is great to see a diverse selection of successful individuals. But this isn’t the only reason why the show is great for students to view.

Here are just a few reasons why the show is great for students of all ages.:

1. Entrepreneurship education-Shark Tank provides a glimpse into the world of entrepreneurship and helps students understand the process of starting and running a business.
2. Financial literacy– The show teaches students about financial concepts such as investment, negotiation, and valuation.
3. Problem-solving skills– The entrepreneurs on the show must think critically and creatively to pitch their ideas and overcome obstacles.
4. Inspiration– Students may be inspired to pursue their own business ideas and passions after watching the show.
5. Real-world application– The show provides a real-world context for students to learn about business, finance, and problem-solving, making the learning experience more engaging and relatable.

Now that you understand the benefits of students watching the show, which shows provide some of the best and most useful content? In this article, we list the 5 best Shark Tank episodes for students.

1. Season 12 Episode 1

Carson Grill might not yet be in high school, but he proves that age is just a number and if you prove that you know what you’re talking about, people will listen. He starts his pitch and ends his pitch without his dad really needing to say anything at all. This in itself is a huge show of confidence to the sharks. Carson is showing that he isn’t there for 15 minutes of fame. He is there because he really believes in his business and knows what it will take to make it work. 

Carson was able to make a deal with Blake for $200,000 for a 25% stake in the company. The business is continuing to thrive even though Carson hasn’t even graduated from high school yet. 

2. Season 5 Episode 20-Young Entrepreneurs Special

This episode brought multiple young entrepreneurs to the stage ranging from 6-year-old Kiowa Kavovite to a host of 15 and 16-year-old business people. Not every product completely won the sharks over from the very beginning. But the thing that proved to be true throughout the entire episode was that showing that you believed in your product and that you were willing to be open to negotiations was how to work with a potential investor. 

With products ranging from spicy honey to colorful liquid band-aids, the sharks got to see a wide range of products and young entrepreneurs. This is a great episode to watch if you want to learn about how to approach your investors, your company business plan, and your overall product selection. 

3. Season 11 Episode 12

This episode proved that it’s not just your product that needs to stand out in a pitch, but also your overall marketing strategy. Show people right from the beginning that your product works for the intended purpose. 13-year-old Sofi Overton brought out a group of high-energy dancers who proceeded to flip, jump, and dance while wearing her WisePocket sock products. The big reveal at the was that they all had phones in their socks that never fell out. 

Between the great presentation and Sofi’s confidence and love of her product showing through during negotiations, she was able to make a deal with Lori and Daymond so that she could increase the production and offerings of her products. 

4. Season 11 Episode 1

If you have ever been to an elementary science fair you know that the variety of presentations probably won’t stop you in your tracks. But, in this case, it should have. 10-year-old Cassidy Crowley built a prototype of an innovative-shaped spoon. The produce is designed so that babies can use it for both teething and scooping up their food. The unique shape also allows you to clip it to the baby’s bib. This way, you aren’t constantly picking it up off a dirty floor. 

Cassidy was very open from the beginning that she wanted her idea to be picked up by a shark that was willing to go in with a 50% stake in the company. She, obviously, still had a lot of school and young life that she wanted to be a part of. However, she also wanted her business idea to get off its feet. Her enthusiasm and completely unique product got Lori on board and the product continues to expand and thrive today. 

5. Season 13: Episode 22

This is another great example of young people not seeing any kind of limits to their business opportunities and taking advantage of competitions currently available to them to get their ideas off the ground. Friends Oliver Greenwald and Sam Nassif started their entrepreneurial journey as 5th graders by entering the Gates Invention and Innovations Competition. With a win, there they were able to secure a patent and continued to improve their product and business plan. 

They approached the sharks and although they weren’t sure about the product or potential Barbara originally went in with a deal at $50,000 and 33.3% stock in the company. The deal ended up not going through, and the friends kind of went different ways in their business lives. But they are a great example of jumping when you have an idea and great places to put it on display. Getting a taste of how to approach investors with your ideas is the best way to get started in the entrepreneurial world. 

Conclusion

The main key to creating products that people will use is to look at the world around you and see what problems people are having. Then, create a solution. Kids and young people are some of the best at this. They still see the world as a playground and believe that all things are possible. Adults can learn a lot from kids. And watching these Shark Tank episodes will give you a new outlook on who truly runs the world!

Also check out:

20 Best Shark Tank Episodes Ever

Here Is the Net Worth Each Investor on Shark Tank

20 Worst Shark Tank Pitches and What Happened After the Show

Katie Budd

Team Writer: Katie Budd is a full-time 8-5er in the commercial insurance industry and works on building her freelance writing business. She enjoys creating engaging content for people to read. She also enjoys working out at home doing Street Parking programming, encouraging her kids to chase what they are passionate about, and spending as much time on the farm with her extended family as possible. Follow along with her on her blog and Instagram as she continues to put thoughts into words.