Austin High School students take a bite out of “Shark Tank” competition

Houston Community College Professor Catherine Smith’s Business Dual Credit/College Credit students at Austin High School made “business dreams and ideas come alive” twice this past year when they participated in two high-level collegiate business plan and business development competitions.

In events very similar to ABC’s nationally televised “Shark Tank” show, the students created, developed and executed their business ideas into full-scale companies in order to obtain potential investment by venture capitalists, bankers, and other business professionals. The students’ ideas ranged from strip center malls with onsite daycare features to catering companies and a plus-size clothing store.

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Students, parents, business professionals, judges, and HISD and HCC administrators gathered in the auditorium of the HCC Southeast Felix Fraga Campus during both business competitions to view, analyze, judge and evaluate each business team’s company.

Ms. Smith’s business students enrolled in various high level college business courses such as Intro to Business, Business Entrepreneurship and Economic Development, Small Business Management, Accounting, and Workforce Leadership and Critical Thinking. Students had the opportunity to take these courses after school or during the summer at the HCC Felix Fraga Campus.

As a reward, each student in the competition received an HCC Certificate. The winners also received a combination of Visa gift cards, Barnes & Noble gift cards, Pappas gift cards, a tablet stylus pen, Best Buy gift card and HCC backpacks.