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09/30/2025 – 08:20 AM
The SharkNinja Innovation Challenge invites university student innovators and early-career entrepreneurs to pitch their breakthrough ideas and inventions and win the support to turn them into reality
NEEDHAM, Mass. – SharkNinja (NYSE: SN), the global innovator behind household names in appliances and consumer solutions, is launching its first-ever SharkNinja Innovation Challenge in partnership with MassChallenge. This nationwide competition aims to spotlight and support the next generation of STEM innovators and early-stage entrepreneurs. The initiative provides a crucial platform for these emerging talents to reimagine consumer solutions and access resources, mentorship, and support to transform their concepts into market-ready products.
Mark Barrocas, CEO of SharkNinja, emphasized the company’s commitment to fostering innovation, stating, “The SharkNinja Innovation Challenge provides future innovators a national stage to showcase their creativity, gain mentorship from industry leaders, and turn promising concepts into real-world solutions.”
The competition, open from today through October 24th, invites student-led startups and individual innovators (ages 18-24) to submit applications in the following categories:
- Consumer Problem-Solving Innovation – Addressing everyday challenges with novel solutions.
- Sustainability & Circularity – Reimagining product lifecycles, packaging, and manufacturing processes for environmental responsibility. This category is particularly relevant given the increasing consumer demand for eco-friendly products and the pressure on companies to reduce their carbon footprint. SharkNinja’s move here could be a strategic positioning in a rapidly growing market segment.
- Universal Design – Developing inclusive and accessible products, packaging, and user experiences catering to a diverse range of users.
Finalists in the SharkNinja Innovation Challenge will receive comprehensive support, including guidance from external IP counsel with reimbursement of provisional patent application costs, resources for prototyping and testing, and direct mentorship from SharkNinja executives and industry leaders. This hands-on approach distinguishes the challenge and provides tangible benefits to participants beyond monetary prizes. The live pitch finale, scheduled for early 2026 in Boston, will feature a panel of judges from SharkNinja, MassChallenge, and other tech ecosystem leaders. Winners will receive cash prizes, mentorship opportunities, and resources to accelerate their growth.
Cait Brumme, CEO of MassChallenge, echoed this sentiment, noting, “By joining forces with SharkNinja to launch this challenge, we are excited to identify, champion and accelerate the next generation of creators, inventors and entrepreneurs inspired to shape our future.”
The SharkNinja Innovation Challenge falls under SharkNinja’s “Innovation for Impact” philanthropy program, highlighting their dedication to advancing innovation, empowering the next generation, and fostering positive change in communities around the world. This initiative reflects a growing trend among corporations to engage in social impact programs that align with their core business strategies. For SharkNinja, this means supporting the very pipeline of talent and ideas that will fuel their future product development.
This initiative comes at a time when innovation in the consumer products space is more critical than ever. With evolving consumer preferences and rapid technological advancements, companies like SharkNinja must continuously seek out and invest in disruptive ideas. By partnering with MassChallenge and focusing on university students and young entrepreneurs, SharkNinja is tapping into a valuable source of fresh perspectives and potentially groundbreaking innovations.
Students interested in participating are encouraged to submit their applications ahead of the October 24th deadline through the MassChallenge website.
About SharkNinja
SharkNinja is a global product design and technology company known for its Shark and Ninja brands. The company focuses on developing innovative, customer-centric solutions across a range of product categories, from cleaning appliances to kitchenware.
About MassChallenge
MassChallenge is a global network for innovators, supporting early-stage startups with resources and mentorship.
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