Aggie Shark Tank gearing up to showcase, launch new businesses
LAS CRUCES — The fifth annual Aggie Shark Tank, sponsored by the Hunt Center for Entrepreneurship and hosted by Arrowhead Center at NMSU is set for Thursday, Oct. 3 at the ASNMSU Center for the Arts in Las Cruces.
The event allows student and alumni entrepreneurs to pitch their business ideas to local and national “sharks” for the chance to gain investment or other types of assistance to help their business grow.
Aggie Shark Tank is open to the public from 4-6:30 p.m. with a reception to follow.
Sharks are local investors and nationwide venture capitalists eager to see new businesses, and include Beto Pallares, fund manager of Arrowhead Innovation Fund; Samara Mejia Hernandez, founding partner of Chingona Ventures; Lou Sisbarro, cofounder of Sisbarro Dealerships; and Jason Torres, a healthcare angel investor.
“We’re grateful that there are leaders in business who are willing to share not only their financial investment in our students and alumni, but also crucial advice and connections from their years of experience,” said Carlos Murguia, Arrowhead Center’s Shark Tank manager.
Sisbarro appreciates seeing the new ideas that come out of students and alumni.
“Aggie Shark Tank is one of my favorite things to be involved with,” said Sisbarro. “Since its creation we’ve seen the program grow and the students’ new business ideas really grow and expand. It’s exciting to be a part of it and I look forward to this year’s Shark Tank experience.”
While the audience is not solicited for investment of any kind, it’s a great way to watch and learn about new developments coming from student and alumni startup businesses, and join participants at the reception.
Get free tickets by registering at sharktank. nmsu.edu.
For more information, contact Carlos Murguia at cmurguia@nmsu.edu or 575-646-2025.